“How much can I actually make in private practice?”
It’s one of the most searched — and least clearly answered — questions in the therapy world. And for good reason: most income conversations stop at session rates and ignore what really matters. We've set out to clearly answer this here, read on for the actual numbers.
Revenue isn’t just about:
It’s about structure.
A solo private practice, a small group practice, and a large group practice can all charge the same session rate — and still produce very different income.
This post breaks down what therapists actually make at three stages:
And shows you how to calculate revenue realistically — not aspirationally.
How to Calculate Therapy Practice Revenue (The Simple Formula)
At its most basic, revenue looks like this:
Sessions per week × Average session rate × Weeks worked per year
But to make this realistic, you also need to account for:
We’ll keep the math conservative on purpose.
Scenario 1: Solo Private Practice (You Only)
Let’s start with the most common setup.
18 × $140 × 48 = $120,960
Many solo therapists fall in the $90k–$130k gross range depending on:
You can raise rates or add sessions — but both have limits.
Scenario 2: Small Group Practice (≈5 Clinicians)
Now let’s look at a small group practice where you still see some clients but also manage others.
Per clinician annual revenue:
20 × $140 × 48 = $134,400
$134,400 × 5 = $672,000
Let’s assume a 60/40 split (clinician/practice):
Many small group owners land somewhere between:
At this stage, income starts to decouple from only your sessions — but systems matter a lot.
Scenario 3: Large Group Practice (≈20 Clinicians)
This is where the model truly shifts from “practice” to “business.”
Per clinician annual revenue:
22 × $145 × 48 = $153,120
$153,120 × 20 = $3,062,400
≈ $1.22M
From this, you pay:
Owner income at this level varies widely, but many well-run practices net:
At this size, your income is no longer limited by your calendar — it’s limited by operations.
Why Two Practices With the Same Revenue Feel Very Different
Two practices can generate the same gross revenue and feel completely different.
What changes the experience:
Many therapists make less than they expect not because they charge too little — but because systems are doing invisible damage.
What Actually Moves the Needle on Revenue
Across all practice sizes, revenue grows fastest when:
More sessions help. Better systems help more.
Final Thought
Therapists can build six-figure incomes — and beyond — but the path looks very different depending on structure.
Understanding the math is empowering.
Building the systems to support it is what makes it sustainable.
If you’re thinking about your next stage — solo, small group, or scaling larger — clarity around revenue is the first step.