If you’ve been following along with my business renewal this quarter, you know I set a goal: launch my refreshed website navigation by March 1.

Well… progress has been slower than I anticipated even though I already knew it would be slow. And you know what? That’s part of the renewal.

When I began restructuring my website navigation headers and dropdown menus, I thought it would be fairly straightforward. Create two main tabs (For Professionals and For Individuals & Couples) organize the pages underneath, build what’s missing, and hit “publish.” I even planned on having my whole navigation breakdown ready to go for this blog post!

January is usually associated with big launches and bold declarations. This year, I’m doing something different.

I’m slowing down and working on the foundation.

In this month’s blog, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes case study of how I’m spending January laying the groundwork to revamp my website. That includes hiring a consultant (yes, even consultants need their own consultants), reviewing analytics to see what’s actually working, and using that data to decide what services deserve the spotlight moving forward.

This is an honest look at what’s working well, what didn’t quite land, and how I’m using clarity instead of pressure to guide my next steps.

If you’ve ever felt like your website doesn’t fully reflect the business you’re actually running, this one’s for you.

With the end of the year looming ahead, trying up the loose ends of your business can feel overwhelming. But there is one gift you should prioritize giving your private practice before you clock out for the last time in 2025. It’s the gift of reviewing and renewing your Processes and Protocols.

In private practice, every interaction matters,  from the moment a potential client first lands on your website to the warm “see you in our first session” at the end of onboarding. These touchpoints form what we call the Client Experience, a vital part of the STEP Framework: Systems, Tools, Experience, and Processes/Protocols.

If your Systems and Tools are the sturdy branches that help your practice grow, then Experience is the canopy. It’s how your work reaches others, offering shade, comfort, and connection. And like any thriving tree, your client experience is strongest when it’s rooted in gratitude.

This month, we’re focusing on the second pillar of the STEP Framework: Tools.

Last month, we explored Systems, the structures that keep your practice running smoothly in the background. Now we’re turning to the second pillar, Tools, which are what bring those systems to life.

If you’ve ever sat in a session watching a couple have the same argument over and over again, you know how exhausting it can feel, both for them and for you. As mental health providers, we rely on talk-based techniques like reflective listening, communication skills, and boundary setting. These are valuable tools. But sometimes, words just aren’t enough.