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. Every episode before this one was recorded while my son, Aiden, was still in my belly.
Motherhood has been incredibly beautiful, deeply humbling, and far more emotional than I expected.
Since returning from maternity leave, I’ve received so many questions about what that experience actually looked like as a therapist and business owner.
The truth is, it’s very different when there’s no HR department, no paid leave, and no official return date that suddenly feels right.
In today’s episode, I’m sharing the unspoken reality of returning from maternity leave as a therapist and business owner.
There’s beauty and guilt in having complete freedom over your schedule. There’s the constant shift between therapist brain and postpartum brain. There’s grief in letting go of the person you used to be, even while loving the new version of yourself.
I took about 15 weeks completely off, and that time allowed me to settle into motherhood. But returning to work still felt emotional.
Rebuilding the emotional capacity to care for clients again takes time, especially when your work depends on showing up with empathy every day.
If you’re preparing to return to work, I encourage you to choose a return date instead of waiting until you feel completely ready. Create structure before motivation shows up. Build a childcare plan that works for your family, and don’t be afraid to change it if it no longer feels right.
I did exactly that, and changing my childcare plans ended up being one of the best decisions we made for our family.
There isn’t one perfect way to come back after maternity leave. You’re allowed to miss your work and miss your baby. You’re allowed to crave flexibility while also needing structure. You’re allowed to change your mind as your family grows.
This is exactly why building a sustainable private practice matters. Inside PPA, I help therapists build private-pay practices that allow them to see fewer clients while maintaining or increasing their income, creating a business that supports every season of life.
If you’re preparing for leave, currently on leave, or navigating your return, I hope this conversation reminds you that you’re not alone.
In this episode, Returning from Mat Leave as a Therapist & Business Owner (The Unspoken Reality), I cover:
- The emotional and identity shifts that come with returning to work after maternity leave
- How I’m easing back into work and practical strategies that helped make the transition smoother
- The real business realities therapists face when taking maternity leave
Resources & Links:
⭐️ Instagram 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)
Related Episodes:
- Episode 59: Part 1: How I Prepped Financially for Maternity Leave
- Episode 60: Part 2: How I Prepped My Team for Maternity Leave
- Episode 61: Part 3: How I’m Posting Content During Maternity Leave
More about the Business of Therapy podcast:
Are you a passionate therapist who’s burnt out and ready to transition to private pay? Are you asking yourself questions like “How do I build a business?”, “How can I effectively use Instagram to market myself?”, or “How can I scale a private practice?”
Welcome to the Business of Therapy podcast, where we answer those questions and more. You’ll find honest conversations about the realities of being a therapist, practical Instagram marketing strategies, and encouragement to help you build your own version of success.
Join your host, Kelly McKenna, as she explores topics like burnout, mindset, boundaries, marketing, and sustainable business growth alongside expert guests.
Kelly is a licensed therapist and business coach who built her private practice through Instagram and has helped thousands of therapists successfully start and scale their own practices.
Every episode is designed to leave you with practical strategies and the confidence to take the next step toward building the private practice you want.
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