
(c) Can Stock Photo
An interesting theme emerged in my private practice consultation group last week. It may seem like an odd theme for a business group - resentment. As I shared a few of my own experiences in private practice it became very clear that I had used my feelings of resentment as a guide to lead me to my ideal private practice.
I view resentment as an amazing gift to let me know when I need to make a change or to set better boundaries. Here are a few examples that I share:
- After being in a group practice for a short time, I realized that I resented the inefficiency of how decisions were made in the group. So, I decided to go out on my own.
- After having my third child and moving to a new area years ago, I remember feeling increasingly resentful of my commute to my therapy office. That prompted me to move to an office closer to my new home.
- After I realized that I resented spending more time doing paperwork and making phone calls trying to get reimbursed from managed care companies than I was spending actually doing therapy, I started resigning from all panels.
- When I started resenting seeing clients after 5:00p.m. I stopped seeing clients in the evenings.

So, my fellow private practitioners, what are you resenting in your practice?
How can you use resentment as a gift to make needed changes and bring you closer to your your ideal practice?
Licensed therapist turned business consultant
Julie Hanks, LCSW has over 20 years in the mental health field & 10 years in private practice as owner of
WasatchFamilyTherapy.com. Hanks
consults with therapists all over the world to build a fulfilling and profitable therapy business and attract cash-pay clients through technology and social media. Follow Julie on
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Last reviewed: 8 May 2012
APA Reference
Hanks, J. (2012). The Gift Of Resentment. Psych Central.
Retrieved on June 20, 2013, from http://blogs.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2012/05/the-gift-of-resentment/