Welcome therapists and group practice owners! I’m Nicole McCance, a psychologist turned business coach for therapists. Continuing education is a meaningful part of being a therapist. We invest hours of our professional lives learning how to better support our clients, and that’s SO important.
But most therapists eventually notice something a little frustrating. While we have endless clinical CE options, almost no one is teaching the skills that actually determine whether a practice grows, scales, and sustains itself. I’m going to walk you through why that gap exists and what to look for in CE hours that actually move your practice forward.
Why Most Continuing Education Doesn't Help Therapists Grow Their Practice
Most CE hours for therapists are clinically focused (which makes sense and is super important). The trouble is that the hours you spend on clinical training don’t also teach you how to hire, market, manage a team, or build systems that give you your time back.
That’s why so many therapists find themselves Googling business questions late at night, piecing together podcasts, YouTube videos, and free PDFs just to figure out how to run their practice.
It’s exhausting, it’s slow, and it keeps you stuck in the cycle of learning without implementing.
Hot Tip: If you’re curious what actually helps therapists scale, read my blog on how over 1,000 therapists successfully scaled to group practice. The patterns are clearer than you might think!
The Business Skills Therapists Are Never Taught
Graduate school prepares us to be clinicians, not CEOs. But the moment you open your own practice, you need both skill sets. Here are the three biggest gaps I see when I work with therapists who are ready to scale:
- Hiring and building a team. Finding the right clinicians, writing job posts that attract great candidates, interviewing with confidence, and onboarding in a way that sets everyone up for success.
- Marketing and filling your caseload. Finding effective, sustainable ways to bring in clients and keep your practice busy.
- Systems and leadership. Creating the workflows, pay structures, and team culture that keep your practice running even when you step away.
These are the exact skills that determine whether you stay stuck at solo practice or confidently grow into a group. And they’re rarely covered in traditional CE programs.
What CE-Approved Training Looks Like for Therapists
I have some seriously amazing news! You no longer have to choose between “CE time” and “business time.” CE-approved business training for therapists does exist, and it’s a smart way to invest your professional development hours into something that directly impacts your bottom line.
CPA-Approved CE for Canadian Psychologists
If you’re a Canadian psychologist, you’ll want training that’s approved by the Canadian Psychological Association.
The Clinic Growth Map™, my business coaching program for therapists, is officially CPA-approved to offer 26.75 continuing education hours. That means Canadian psychologists can earn their CE credits while learning exactly how to hire, market, and scale their practice!
NBCC-Approved CE for U.S. Counselors
If you’re a U.S. counselor, the equivalent standard is NBCC approval.
The Clinic Growth Map™ Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7970) National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), offering 23.75 NBCC CE hours.
For both Canadians and Americans, you work through the program at your own pace, complete the quizzes, and download your official CE certificate as soon as you pass.
Hot Tip: Thinking about growing your solo practice into a group? Check out my podcast on the 3 signs you’re ready to start a group therapy practice before you make your next move.
How to Choose CE Hours That Actually Grow Your Therapy Practice
Not every CE program will have an impact on your business. When you’re evaluating continuing education options, look for training that checks these boxes:
- Covers the business side of practice. Hiring, marketing, team management, legal, systems, and leadership.
- Is approved by your regulatory body. Whether that’s CPA, NBCC, or another governing organization, make sure the hours actually count toward your licensure requirements.
- Offers self-paced learning. You’re already running a practice. You need to be able to learn on your schedule, not someone else’s.
- Includes real implementation support. Information alone doesn’t change your practice. Look for programs that walk you through the “how,” not just the “what.”
- Teaches from someone who’s actually done it. Learn from a therapist who has built and scaled a practice, not just a business coach with no clinical experience.
If a CE program can do all of that, you’re no longer choosing between growing your practice and getting your CE hours. You’re getting both at once!
Making the Most of Your CE Investment
Here’s something I wish more therapists understood: your continuing education hours are one of your most underused business assets. You’re already committing the time and (often) the money. Why not put those hours toward something that actually changes your day-to-day life?
When I built my group practice to 55 therapists in three years, it wasn’t because I had more clinical training than anyone else. It was because I finally learned the business side of running a practice.
That knowledge is what gave me the systems to scale, the confidence to lead a team, and the freedom to pick my kids up from school at 3PM.
If you’re looking at your CE hours this year and wondering whether there’s a smarter way to use them, the answer is yes.
Hot Tip: Want to chat about whether CE-approved business training for therapists is a fit for where you are in your practice? Book a free strategy call with my team. It’s a relaxed conversation about your goals (not a sales pitch, I promise!).
Your CE Hours Can Actually Grow Your Practice
Continuing education doesn’t have to feel like another box to check. When you invest your CE hours into business training that’s approved by your regulatory body, you get two wins at once. You stay compliant with your licensure requirements, and you build the skills that actually help your practice grow.
Whether you’re a Canadian psychologist looking for CPA-approved hours or a U.S. counselor looking for NBCC CE credits, there’s a smarter way to spend your professional development time. Start by asking whether your next CE program will still matter to you one year from now.
Want more tips on growing your practice? Follow me on Instagram and listen to The Business Savvy Therapist podcast for weekly support on scaling your therapy practice!
Your Business Bestie,
Nicole
