Returning from Mat Leave as a Therapist & Business Owner (The Unspoken Reality) [episode 79]
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Listen to Returning from Mat Leave as a Therapist & Business Owner (The Unspoken Reality) on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Your player of choice
Today’s episode is my first recording as a mom. Everything before this was pre-batched while my baby, Aiden, was still in my belly!
Motherhood has been incredibly beautiful. It’s also been deeply humbling and very hard.
Since stepping away and coming back, I’ve gotten many questions about what maternity leave looked like for me as a therapist and business owner.
The truth? It's VERY different when there’s no HR department, no paid leave, and no magical “return date” that suddenly feels right!
In today's episode, I'm sharing my thoughts on returning from mat leave as a therapist & business owner (and the unspoken reality).
Honestly, there’s beauty and guilt in having unlimited choice as a business owner. There’s whiplash between therapist brain and postpartum brain. There’s grief in leaving an old version of yourself behind (even when you love the new one).
I took about 15 weeks fully off, and that space helped me settle into my new identity as a mom. But returning still felt tender.
It takes time to rebuild emotional capacity, especially when your work involves caring deeply for others.
When you’re easing back into work, I recommend choosing a return date. Create structure before you feel “ready.” Plan for childcare that feels right for you and YOUR family, without the guilt!
It’s okay to change your mind (I personally did this with childcare for my son, and it was the best decision for our family).
There is no gold standard or “perfect” way to return to work after maternity leave. If it feels emotional or confusing, that’s totally normal.
You’re allowed to miss your work AND your baby. You’re allowed to want both flexibility and structure. And yeah, you’re allowed to change your mind along the way!
This is exactly why building a sustainable private practice MATTERS.
Inside PPA, I help therapists create private-pay caseloads that allow you to see fewer clients while maintaining (or increasing) your income. Your business should support real-life seasons like this!
If you’re preparing for leave, currently on one, or navigating your return, you don’t have to do it alone. You’re doing an incredible job, and I’m always cheering you on, friend!
In this episode, Returning from Mat Leave as a Therapist & Business Owner (The Unspoken Reality), I cover:
The major emotional & identity shifts that happen when returning to work
How I’m structuring my return to work + practical ways you can ease back in
The REAL business realities of maternity leave for therapists
Resources & Links:
⭐️ IG post about screen time
⭐️ This episode is sponsored by Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace period
⭐️ This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
⭐️ Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
⭐️ Reels Membership
⭐️ Business Coaching Waitlist
⭐️ Free training
⭐️ Caption Guide
Related Episodes:
More about the Business of Therapy podcast:
Are you a passionate therapist that’s burnt out and ready to transition to private pay? You’re asking yourself questions like “how do I build a business?”, “how can I effectively use Instagram to market myself” and “how can I scale a private practice?”
Welcome to the Business of Therapy podcast where we’ll answer those questions and more! Here you’ll find honest conversations about the good and the bad of being a therapist, tactical advice and best practices for marketing yourself on Instagram, and solidarity and community to find your own version of success as a therapist.
Join your host, Kelly McKenna, and her guests as they dive deeper into topics such as navigating burn out, mastering your mindset and boundaries, and tactics and strategies for marketing on Instagram, and more!
Kelly is a licensed therapist and business coach who grew her private practice on Instagram and has helped thousands of other therapists market themselves on social media, and effectively start and scale their private practice.
These episodes will leave you feeling empowered and equipped to take action towards your dream of a successful private practice.
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