Welcome therapists and group practice owners! I’m Nicole McCance, a psychologist turned business coach helping therapists scale to a group practice. When I scaled my group practice to 55 therapists and multiple 7-figures in just three years (all while raising toddler twins!), one of the biggest questions I kept getting was: “How on earth do you find good therapists?”
Hiring can feel overwhelming, and sometimes even scarier than running your business. But hiring is also where the magic happens! The right therapists not only help you serve more clients, but they also give you the freedom to step out of the chair and into your CEO role.
So, I’m going to share exactly where to find the best therapists and how to make your hiring process smooth and successful.
P.S. Not a huge fan of reading blogs? (I’m more of a podcast girl myself) You can listen to my podcast episode all about this topic by clicking here! or by watching my YouTube video below!
Step One: Don’t Hire Before You Systemize
Before we talk job boards and applications, I need to tell you this super important piece of advice: Do not hire until you’ve systemized! Seriously, don’t do it.
What do I mean by this?
- Get everything out of your head and into a manual.
- Create clear onboarding and training processes.
- Build a container (a repeatable system) so new hires know exactly how things run.
If you skip this step, you’ll end up being the Chief Question Answerer instead of a CEO. And trust me, that’s exhausting.
Hot Tip: Before you hire, do you actually know WHO you should be hiring first? Click here to listen to my podcast episode all about who to hire first (or next) to scale into a group practice!
Step Two: The Top Place to Find Therapists
So where exactly ARE the best therapists?
The short answer: Indeed.
Almost every single one of my 55 hires came from there and it’s still the top platform therapists use when looking for jobs. But there are a few tricks to make it work well for you.
Start Free & Use Screening Questions
- Post your job description for free for one week.
- Use screening questions (degree, license, regulatory board) to filter out unqualified applicants.
This will save you from wasting time on resumes from people who aren’t even in the right field.
If You Don’t Find Your “Hell Yes” Candidate…
- Sponsor the post. Start at $20.00 per day.
- Track carefully, and remember to set a reminder to turn it off when you’re done.
- If you’re in a rush (say you just lost a therapist and your waitlist is growing), increase your spend. Spending $100.00 per day for two days often works faster than $20.00 per day for ten days.
Think of it this way, hiring late is way more expensive than spending a little extra to hire quickly!
Step Three: Keywords Are Everything
Indeed works a lot like Google. If you want the right therapists to find your posting, you need to use the right keywords.
- Use the exact title therapists would type when job searching. For example, “Registered Psychotherapist,” “Registered Psychologist,” “Clinical Social Worker,” “LCSW,” or “LPC.”
- Avoid vague terms like “counselor” unless that’s a specific credential in your area.
- If you’re hiring multiple roles, you can include two or three credentials in one posting (but not more, otherwise you should separate them out)
Step Four: Write a Job Description That Stands Out
This is where so many practice owners go wrong.
Think of your job description like online dating. Remember Plenty of Fish? (That’s where I met Dan!) Just like dating profiles, job postings need to stand out from the crowd.
Most therapists are scrolling through dozens of postings at once. If yours reads like every other listing, they’ll skip right past it.
Instead, treat your job description like a love letter.
- Lead with what makes your practice special.
- Do you offer supervision? Peer consultation? A supportive team? Flexible hours?
- Share perks like natural light, a central location, or extra training opportunities.
Save the boring stuff (requirements and credentials) for the bottom.
Other Options (If Indeed Isn’t Enough)
Most of my hires came from Indeed, but if you’ve tried everything and still can’t find your person, here are a few more strategies:
1. LinkedIn
- Post your job or pay for resume search.
- For niche hires (like psychologists who do assessments), LinkedIn Recruiter can help you connect directly with people in your area.
2. Associations
- Many professional associations (like the Ontario Psychological Association) will email your job posting to all members for a small fee ($100–$200).
- This can be a goldmine for reaching licensed professionals quickly.
3. Referrals
- Once you hire your first superstar, ask if they have friends or colleagues looking for work.
- Great therapists tend to know other great therapists!
Hiring For Your Group Practice is an Investment in Freedom
I know hiring can feel scary, but it’s also the step that unlocks your next level. Each therapist you bring on isn’t just filling a chair, they’re helping you:
- Serve more clients (without burning yourself out)
- Grow your revenue
- Step into your CEO role
- Finally create the freedom you’ve been craving
If you follow the steps above – systemize first, leverage Indeed with the right keywords, write a love-letter job description, and explore referrals and associations when needed – you’ll find your “hell yes” therapist in no time!
Want even more tips on growing your practice? Follow me on Instagram and listen to my podcast for all the best support for growing your therapy practice and attracting more clients!
Your business bestie,
Nicole
