Business Set-up

1. If you are forming a business to provide services as a licensed therapist, you need to from a Professional Limited Liability Insurance (PLLC). 
2. Texas Secretary of State FAQs. Submit your PLLC application here. 
3. Before you select a name for your business, consider that you would likely use the same name for your social media handles and website. Search for available domains and social media handles matching your desired business name. Ensure there are no duplicate businesses with the same name in other states (or countries). 
4. You will need to submit a Certificate of Formation—Professional Limited Liability Company to the online Texas Secretary of State system. 
5. The PLLC formation application and approval are publicly searchable. My advice is that you do not use your personal residential address as your professional address in your PLLC application. I use a Texas Registered Agent address from this provider. There are many different companies in Texas offering a monitored physical mailbox service. 
6. Once approved, you will receive a Certificate of Formation confirmation letter from the Texas Secretary of State. 
7. You will also receive correspondence from the Texas Comptroller's office. The letter will contain a link for you to submit your Franchise Tax Accountability Questionnaire online in the Texas Comptroller's website. This submission is time-sensitive (could be 30 days from the time your Certificate of Formation was approved) so pay attention to the instructions on the letter. 
8. Once approved, consider applying for an EIN number through the IRS. You will get a CP 575 form in the mail from IRS that will contain your EIN number. Use this EIN number when you conduct business transactions so you do not use your personal SSN. This includes when completing W9 forms for businesses who want to contract your services, or when applying for business checking or savings banking accounts. 
9. Once approved, you will also need to file Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR) within 30 days from the formation of your business. Delaying the filing comes with hefty daily fines. The filing is very straightforward process (takes a few minutes), requiring your driver's license and business information. 

Private Practice Set-up

1. Roadmap to Private Practice by Intern 2 Owner : A great checklist of items you will need to set up your private practice by Driver Strategy Co. 
2. Addendum to Supervision Contract for Supervisees Building their Private Practices: I modified this checklist from a checklist one of our supervisor colleagues shared in Kate Walker's Texas Supervisors Coalition Facebook Group. 
3. One of my supervisees, Raquel Macias, created this helpful EHR comparison chart (2024)
4. Free Business Expenses Calculator by Carly Hill Coaching
5. Reflection Questions to explore how you want to set financial boundaries with your clients (e.g. offering sliding scale)
6. One of my favorite easy-to-read inspiring books for private practice: Gunnell, M. (2023). Thriving As A Therapist: The Ultimate Guide to Building and Scaling Your Business for Freedom, Joy, and Financial Abundance. Thriving Well Institute. Purchase on Amazon
7. A 4-page handout "Marketing your Therapy Practice" by Davis Mediation on a) defining your Niche and b) developing ways to connect with referral sources. 

Free Mentoring

America's Small Business Development Center - University of Houston location: Check out their Business Start-up Checklist. Multiple locations around Texas are available.

SCORE Business Mentoring: A non-profit offering free 1:1 mentoring, recorded and live webinars on establishing and growing your business.

Research

LPC/LMFT Associates Readiness-for-Private-Practice Assessment: A survey I created with a TACES Research grant in 2022. 

LPC Associates' Needs in Private Practice – 2022 Research Survey Findings: Findings from my 2022 research study assessing 100 LPC Associates readiness to establish their private practice. 

Attorneys with Expertise in LPC/LMFT practice matters

Laurel Clement (Attorney at Law & Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor)

Website: https://www.laurelclement.com 

Kendra Dalrymple: She is the “Ask the Attorney” Liaison for members of the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and an Associate Member of TAMFT.  

Website: https://www.dsedlaw.com/biography