Building a Private Pay Practice as a New Mom with Trauma Therapist Irene Koutsidis-Martelli [episode 87]
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Listen to Building a Private Pay Practice as a New Mom with Trauma Therapist Irene Koutsidis-Martelli on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Your player of choice
I’m excited to welcome Irene Koutsidis-Martelli to the podcast today!
Irene is a relational trauma therapist in New York (which basically means she covers all things relationships, family, and attachment-based that are linked with trauma from those very systems). She has been in private practice since 2020 and started her own practice in June 2024. Prior, she worked with individuals with serious mental illness, PTSD, substance use disorders, homelessness, and emergency behavioral health services.
Now, she primarily works with millennial women who are struggling with relational and complex trauma. She is a mom of a toddler boy and expecting baby number 2. She knew that her life's work would be best served by balancing motherhood and her career. She is also expanding to South Carolina in Spring 2026.
By the time this episode is released, Irene will most likely have her 2nd little one here! Our conversation is SUCH a powerful reminder that you truly get to build your business around your life (not the other way around).
In today’s episode, we’re talking about building a private pay practice as a new mom.
Irene shares what it looked like to start her private practice at 8 months pregnant (yes - she really did that)!
Her decision to do so was rooted in something much deeper than just income.
She wanted freedom and flexibility. She wanted the ability to be PRESENT with her family.
Even though it felt chaotic at times, it was completely aligned!
But Irene quickly realized something. Seeing back-to-back clients on insurance panels every day didn’t feel sustainable. It didn’t support her energy or her goals.
She chose to pause, reassess, and give herself permission to pivot. That’s when she started intentionally building a private pay practice.
Irene joined PPA in June 2025. She niched down and refined her messaging. She got crystal clear on her positioning. Getting the right support changed everything!!
That clarity? It showed up in her pricing, too. She raised her rates from $175 to $220 without deterring referrals. Pretty freaking incredible, right?!
Irene’s story is a beautiful example of what it looks like to trust yourself and take aligned risks. Building something that actually supports you as a human AND the life you want to live?
IMO there’s nothing better!
In this episode, Building a Private Pay Practice as a New Mom with Trauma Therapist Irene Koutsidis-Martelli, we cover:
Why Irene chose to start her private practice at 8 months pregnant
How her initial insurance-based model led to burnout + wasn’t sustainable long-term
Irene’s decision to niche down + get more support inside PPA
How Irene transitioned off insurance panels in intentional “tiers”
Her deeper “why” behind building a private pay practice
Embracing big life transitions and trusting that you CAN build what you want
Learning the power of saying “no” and prioritizing aligned, ideal-fit clients
Building a business that fits your life instead of one that just “looks good on paper”
Resources & Links:
⭐️ 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
Connect with Irene:
Follow on Instagram @talktoirene
Check out her website
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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