All Things Private Practice Podcast Episode 209: Turning Special Interests Into Income as a Therapist [featuring Shaelene Kite]
In this episode, Patrick Casale and Shaelene Kite discuss how special interests can spark innovative business ideas. Shaelene shares her journey from DBT group practice owner to launching a Disney-themed clinical conference, blending her passions and love of Disney with her entrepreneurial path.
Here are 3 key takeaways:
- Leverage Your Special Interests: Don’t be afraid to let your quirks and passions guide your business ideas—unique interests can lead to more fulfilling ventures.
- Start Small and Let Ideas Grow: You don’t have to launch big right away. Pilot your ideas, gather community feedback, and iterate as you go. It’s okay to take incremental steps.
- There’s No Shame in the Pivot: As Patrick and Shaelene both mentioned, passions can change—and that’s okay. Give yourself permission to evolve, try new things, and not get stuck in one mode of practice.
More about Shaelene:
Shaelene (she/her) is a 4x entrepreneur not limited to her work as a counselor, yoga teacher and practice owner. She leads a group practice of 20+ that has continued to grow rapidly since its opening in 2018.
Shaelene is a DBT Expert and Trainer, Yoga for Trauma Educator, International Speaker, and owner of Rebelmente-a mental health training and consulting company. In 2024 Shaelene launched The Rebel Minds Learning Collective, an all inclusive DBT training membership supporting providers in becoming kick ass DBT therapists. Shaelene also co-created the groundbreaking program Stabilize and Scale with her business partner Katie May in order to help visionary group practice with the business side of running a thriving practice.
Shaelene is also a Disney lover who blended work and play with her clinical conference, Clinically Ever After.
- Instagram: instagram.com/rebelmente
- Conference Website: rebelmente.com/disneyonline
–––––––––––––––––––––
🎙️Listen to more episodes of the All Things Private Practice Podcast
🎙️Spotify
🎙️Apple
▶️ YouTube
🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community
🗨️ Join the free All Things Private Practice FB Community
–––––––––––––––––––––
Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad, Alma, & All Things Private Practice — 2025 & 2026 Retreats!
Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.
The Receptionist offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.
✨ Alma
Thanks to Alma for sponsoring this episode.
Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.
✨ All Things Private Practice — 2025 & 2026 Retreats
All Things Private Practice has some amazing retreat experiences coming up in 2025 and 2026.
We have two retreats in Queenstown, New Zealand. The first is for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs from March 1st to 8th, and the second retreat, Beyond Private Practice, focuses on moving beyond one-on-one therapy and creating alternative income streams from March 15th to 22nd.
Spaces are limited, so check the links to sign up today. Doubt yourself, do it anyway!
- Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs in Queenstown, New Zealand: allthingspractice.com/new-zealand-neurodivergent
- Beyond Private Practice in Queenstown, New Zealand: allthingspractice.com/new-zealand-income-streams
Mentioned in this episode:
All Things Private Practice — 2025 & 2026 Retreats
All Things Private Practice has some amazing retreat experiences coming up in 2025 and 2026. Join us in Edinburgh, Scotland for the second Doubt Yourself, Do It Anyway Summit from July 14th to 17th, 2025! We have an incredible lineup of 12 speakers and offer 12 MBCCEs. If you're a leader or aspiring to start a group practice, join our Leadership Retreat in Chania, Crete, from September 6th to 11th. In 2026, we have two retreats in Queenstown, New Zealand. The first is for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs from March 1st to 8th, and the second retreat, Beyond Private Practice, focuses on moving beyond one-on-one therapy and creating alternative income streams from March 15th to 22nd. Spaces are limited, so check the links to sign up today. Doubt yourself, do it anyway! Doubt Yourself, Do It Anyway Summit in Scotland: https://www.empoweredescapes.com/scotland-july-2025-summit Leadership Retreat in Chania, Crete: https://www.empoweredescapes.com/greece-retreat-2025 Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs in Queenstown, New Zealand: https://www.allthingspractice.com/new-zealand-neurodivergent Beyond Private Practice in Queenstown, New Zealand: https://www.allthingspractice.com/new-zealand-income-streams
Alma
I want to thank Alma for sponsoring this episode. Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details, and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.
The Receptionist for iPad
The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.