My Biggest Mistakes in 2024 as a Therapist + Entrepreneur

Running a private practice and growing a business as a therapist can feel isolating—especially when most of what we see online is polished success stories. What we don’t hear enough about are the mistakes that happen behind the scenes, the growing pains, and the uncomfortable lessons that shape us as business owners.

In 2024, I made several big mistakes in my business as a therapist and entrepreneur. Some were expensive. Some were emotionally draining. All of them taught me something important. I’m sharing them here so you feel less alone in your own journey—and maybe avoid a few of the same missteps.

biggest mistake #1: trying to do everything at once

One of my biggest mistakes this year was trying to grow too fast and take on too much at the same time.

I knew I wanted to expand beyond one-to-one therapy. I wanted to rebrand, invest in a professional website, grow on social media, build an email list, explore a group practice model, and get legal support—all within the same year. Individually, none of these goals were unreasonable. Together, they became overwhelming and financially stressful.

Instead of creating clarity, doing everything at once left me feeling scattered, disorganized, and stretched too thin. The lesson I’m taking forward is simple but powerful: sustainable growth requires pacing. I’m budgeting intentionally and choosing one focus at a time so my business can grow without sacrificing my well-being.

biggest mistake #2: falling into marketing traps

Another one of my biggest mistakes was purchasing courses and digital products under pressure.

Time-limited offers can make it feel like you’ll miss your one chance to move forward if you don’t buy immediately. I’ve learned—multiple times—that pressure makes it harder to think clearly. Some courses truly are valuable, but others didn’t actually solve the problem I was trying to fix.

In hindsight, I often already knew what I needed to do. I just wanted a shortcut or reassurance. Moving forward, I’m committing to slowing down, sitting with decisions, and trusting that if something is genuinely aligned, it will still be there later—even at full price.

biggest mistake #3: not trusting my gut

Not following my intuition was one of the biggest mistakes that cost me both time and momentum.

I’ve wanted to grow on YouTube for years. Creating long-form content, sharing honestly, and connecting with other therapists has always felt aligned to my personal goals. But instead of trusting that pull, I chose what felt like “smarter” or “safer” business decisions—focusing on paths that didn’t actually excite me.

I spent months investing energy into directions that didn’t feel right, only to circle back to what I knew all along. The takeaway here is something I’m relearning again and again: growth doesn’t always come from the most logical choice. Sometimes it comes from honoring what actually motivates and energizes you.

biggest mistake #4: hiring a lawyer without doing enough research

This was one of the most expensive and biggest mistakes I made in 2024.

I hired a lawyer without fully understanding billing structures, hourly rates, or how quickly costs can add up. I didn’t ask enough questions upfront, didn’t shop around, and didn’t clarify who would be doing the work—and at what rate.

Later, I worked with a different firm that clearly outlined expectations, timelines, and costs. The difference was night and day. The lesson here is not to avoid legal support—but to approach it strategically. Understanding how professionals bill and what you’re actually paying for can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of stress.

what these mistakes taught me

Looking back, my biggest mistakes in 2024 weren’t signs that I was failing—they were signs that I was learning. Running a business as a therapist is a skill set we’re rarely taught. Mistakes are part of that education.

The biggest shift I’m taking into 2025 is self-compassion. Growth takes time. Change takes time. And learning doesn’t happen in a straight line.

If you’re a therapist navigating private practice, entrepreneurship, or any new direction in your career, know this: you’re not behind, and you’re not doing it wrong just because you’re figuring things out as you go.

And if you’ve made your own big mistakes this year, you’re in good company.