Is Independent Private Practice Sustainable? Data on Caseloads, Insurance & Income – An Interview with Lindsay Oberleitner, PhD

Is Independent Private Practice Sustainable? Data on Caseloads, Insurance & Income

Is independent private practice still financially sustainable?

Curt and Katie sit down with Lindsay Oberleitner, PhD, Director of Clinical Strategy at SimplePractice, to examine national data on caseload trends, insurance participation, income realities, and therapist burnout. Drawing from Lindsay's research at SimplePractice, they explore whether independent private practice is truly viable long term - and what clinicians need to understand to remain financially and professionally sustainable.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why some clinicians are seeing declining caseloads despite high demand for mental health care
• Typical full-time caseload ranges in independent private practice
• How insurance participation is shifting year over year
• The financial impact of reimbursement rates and overhead costs
• Why burnout is both a personal and systemic issue
• The significant role independent private practice plays in delivering outpatient behavioral health care across the United States

Independent private practice represents an estimated 15–20% of outpatient behavioral health services. This episode helps therapists think strategically about income, sustainability, visibility, and long-term viability in today’s healthcare landscape.

For full show notes and resources, visit mtsgpodcast.com.

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