Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Rachel DuPaul.
Hi Dr. Rachel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I knew throughout graduate school as I sought my PhD in Counseling Psychology that I always wanted to own my own business someday. I embarked on that journey a bit earlier than I anticipated, but I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. My all online therapy practice was born out of the pandemic in 2020, and it has been flourishing ever since. When the pandemic made it impossible to meet with a therapist in person, we were all thrown into the world of telehealth. But, as you know, telehealth is here to stay. The convenience and flexibility it offers both me and my clients has afforded me the opportunity to meet with clients at work, in their car, at home, etc. It’s much easier to carve out an hour of one’s life than it is to add in commute time at rush hour or in snow storms often found here in Minnesota. The other adventure in telehealth with my therapy practice is a psychological license interstate reciprocity. This means I can provide therapy services to individuals well beyond my MN state lines; we’re already up to 43 states!
So, through the use of telehealth and the expanding permission of my license, I can now offer support and guidance to clients across time zones and state lines which is a huge win for someone looking to work with a true expert in their field.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Business ownership has been far from a smooth road. My training prepared me very well clinically, but did not offer much education or guidance on the “business” side of private practice. I had to learn how do billing, marketing, website design / SEO, and search for HIPAA-secure products like email, video conferencing, and phone. And don’t even get me started on the actual business filings with the state and paying taxes as a business entity. Wowza!
After almost six years in, I know I still don’t know everything, but I also know I have learned A LOT over those years, too. I have lost oodles of time and money to this process as I navigated new territory, but I also have met some amazing new friends and resources in the process.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Better Balance Psychology?
I am the owner of Better Balance Psychology which is an all online private therapy practice offering 1:1 counseling sessions. Because I am the only employee, this is a very “high touch” business model where my values of consistency, thoroughness, and transparency are apparent in every interaction be it operational or clinical in nature.
I specialize in working with adults who are questioning their career path and/or are struggling with career-related burnout. I also specialize in helping adults navigate questions or concerns they might have in their long-term romantic relationships. Both of these situations elicit a whole host of emotions for people ranging from numbness to anger to confusion and anxiety. I have a balanced therapy approach making sure there is room for emotional processing, but also prioritizing goal identification and action. I proudly claim not to be “your average therapist who just sits back and listens”. I am very active in session with the fundamental belief that people come to therapy for a different experience than they can get by themselves. I continually strive to respectfully challenge my clients as they work toward a better or different life.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned is to build a support network! As a solopreneur, this work can be lonely and daunting, so connecting with other therapists and other business professionals is helpful both logistically and emotionally. Over the past six years, I have cultivated relationships with other therapists, accountants, website people, medical professionals, and business coaches. These relationships have been pivotal to my success.
Pricing:
- Free phone consult to assess fit: $0
- Intake (55 min): $250
- Ongoing individual therapy sessions (55 min): $215
- Credit/Debit/HSA/FSA cards all accepted
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.betterbalancepsychology.com
- Instagram: @better_balance_psychology
- Facebook: @betterbalancepsychology
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/betterbalancepsychology.com
