--- title: When Your Practice Plateaus description: Hitting the Practice Plateau can be scary. Allison Puryear, LCSW, CEDS shares why you may have stopped getting new clients and how to address it. image: https://blog.therapynotes.com/hubfs/images/blog/posts/190903-practiceplateau-840x500.png?noresize --- [![TherapyNotes Practice Management and EHR](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hubfs/images/primary/NavLogo@2x.png?noresize)](https://www.therapynotes.com/) - [Try Free](https://www.therapynotes.com/about/signup/) [Log In](https://www.therapynotes.com/app/login/) - - [![Call Us: (215) 658-4550](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuCall@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuCall@2x.png)Call Us: (215) 658-4550](tel:+12156584550) - [![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuTrial@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuTrial@2x.png)Start Your Free Trial](https://www.therapynotes.com/about/signup/) - [![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuDemo@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuDemo@2x.png)Schedule a Demo](https://blog.therapynotes.com/schedule) --- - ![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuExplore@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuExplore@2x.png)Explore - [Pricing](https://www.therapynotes.com/pricing/) - [Blog](https://blog.therapynotes.com/) - [Help Center](https://support.therapynotes.com) - [For Education](https://www.therapynotes.com/education/) - [Find a Therapist](https://www.therapysearch.com) --- - ![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuFeatures@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuFeatures@2x.png)Features Practice Management - [Billing](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/billing/) - [Scheduling](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/scheduling/) - [Messaging](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/securemessaging/) - [Payments](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/payment-processing/) Clinical Documentation - [Notes](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/notes/) - [TherapyFuel®](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/therapyfuel/) - [Outcome Measures](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/outcome-measures/) - [ePrescribe](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/eprescribe/) Client Engagement - [TherapyPortal™](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/client-portal/) - [Telehealth](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/telehealth/) - [TherapySearch™](https://www.therapysearch.com/clinicians) Additional Resources - [Mobile App](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/therapynotes-mobile/) - [Support](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/support/) - [Security](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/security/) --- - ![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuAbout@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuAbout@2x.png)About - [Company](https://www.therapynotes.com/company/) - [Careers](https://www.therapynotes.com/careers/) - [Reviews](https://www.therapynotes.com/reviews/) - [Contact](https://www.therapynotes.com/contact/) - [Store](http://therapynotesshop.com/) - [Status](https://blog.therapynotes.com/status) [![TherapyNotes Practice Management and EHR](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hubfs/images/primary/NavPartialLogo@2x.png?noresize)](https://www.therapynotes.com/) - - [![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuTrial@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuTrial@2x.png)Start Your Free Trial](https://www.therapynotes.com/about/signup/) - [![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuDemo@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuDemo@2x.png)Schedule a Demo](https://blog.therapynotes.com/schedule) --- - ![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuExplore@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuExplore@2x.png)Explore - [Pricing](https://www.therapynotes.com/pricing/) - [Blog](https://blog.therapynotes.com/) - [Help Center](https://support.therapynotes.com) - [For Education](https://www.therapynotes.com/education/) - [Find a Therapist](https://www.therapysearch.com) --- - ![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuFeatures@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuFeatures@2x.png)Features Practice Management - [Billing](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/billing/) - [Scheduling](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/scheduling/) - [Messaging](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/securemessaging/) - [Payments](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/payment-processing/) Clinical Documentation - [Notes](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/notes/) - [TherapyFuel®](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/therapyfuel/) - [Outcome Measures](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/outcome-measures/) - [ePrescribe](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/eprescribe/) Client Engagement - [TherapyPortal™](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/client-portal/) - [Telehealth](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/telehealth/) - [TherapySearch™](https://www.therapysearch.com/clinicians) Additional Resources - [Mobile App](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/therapynotes-mobile/) - [Support](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/support/) - [Security](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/security/) --- - ![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuAbout@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuAbout@2x.png)About - [Company](https://www.therapynotes.com/company/) - [Careers](https://www.therapynotes.com/careers/) - [Reviews](https://www.therapynotes.com/reviews/) - [Contact](https://www.therapynotes.com/contact/) - [Store](http://therapynotesshop.com/) - [Status](https://blog.therapynotes.com/status) [![TherapyNotes Practice Management and EHR](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hubfs/images/primary/NavLogo@2x.png?noresize)](https://www.therapynotes.com/) - - [![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuTrial@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuTrial@2x.png)Start Your Free Trial](https://www.therapynotes.com/about/signup/) - [![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuDemo@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuDemo@2x.png)Schedule a Demo](https://blog.therapynotes.com/schedule) --- - ![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuExplore@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuExplore@2x.png)Explore - [Pricing](https://www.therapynotes.com/pricing/) - [Blog](https://blog.therapynotes.com/) - [Help Center](https://support.therapynotes.com) - [For Education](https://www.therapynotes.com/education/) - [Find a Therapist](https://www.therapysearch.com) --- - ![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuFeatures@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuFeatures@2x.png)Features Practice Management - [Billing](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/billing/) - [Scheduling](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/scheduling/) - [Messaging](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/securemessaging/) - [Payments](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/payment-processing/) Clinical Documentation - [Notes](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/notes/) - [TherapyFuel®](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/therapyfuel/) - [Outcome Measures](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/outcome-measures/) - [ePrescribe](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/eprescribe/) Client Engagement - [TherapyPortal™](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/client-portal/) - [Telehealth](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/telehealth/) - [TherapySearch™](https://www.therapysearch.com/clinicians) Additional Resources - [Mobile App](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/therapynotes-mobile/) - [Support](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/support/) - [Security](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/security/) --- - ![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuAbout@2x.png?noresize&width=25&height=25&name=MobileMenuAbout@2x.png)About - [Company](https://www.therapynotes.com/company/) - [Careers](https://www.therapynotes.com/careers/) - [Reviews](https://www.therapynotes.com/reviews/) - [Contact](https://www.therapynotes.com/contact/) - [Store](http://therapynotesshop.com/) - [Status](https://blog.therapynotes.com/status) [![TherapyNotes Practice Management and EHR](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hubfs/images/primary/NavPartialLogo@2x.png?noresize)](https://www.therapynotes.com/) - [Features](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/) Practice Management - [Billing](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/billing/) - [Scheduling](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/scheduling/) - [Messaging](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/securemessaging/) - [Payments](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/payment-processing/) Clinical Documentation - [Notes](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/notes/) - [TherapyFuel®](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/therapyfuel/) - [Outcome Measures](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/outcome-measures/) - [ePrescribe](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/eprescribe/) Client Engagement - [TherapyPortal™](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/client-portal/) - [Telehealth](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/telehealth/) - [TherapySearch™](https://www.therapysearch.com/clinicians) Additional Resources - [Mobile App](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/therapynotes-mobile/) - [Support](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/support/) - [Security](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/security/) - [Pricing](https://www.therapynotes.com/pricing/) - [Blog](https://blog.therapynotes.com/) - [About](https://www.therapynotes.com/company/) - [Contact](https://www.therapynotes.com/contact/) - [![TherapyNotes](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuCall@2x.png?noresize&width=24&height=24&name=MobileMenuCall@2x.png)(215) 658-4550](tel:+12156584550) - [Try Free](https://www.therapynotes.com/about/signup/) [Log In](https://www.therapynotes.com/app/login/) [![TherapyNotes Practice Management and EHR](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hubfs/images/primary/NavLogo@2x.png?noresize)](https://www.therapynotes.com/) - [Features](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/) Practice Management - [Billing](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/billing/) - [Scheduling](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/scheduling/) - [Messaging](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/securemessaging/) - [Payments](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/payment-processing/) Clinical Documentation - [Notes](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/notes/) - [TherapyFuel®](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/therapyfuel/) - [Outcome Measures](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/outcome-measures/) - [ePrescribe](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/eprescribe/) Client Engagement - [TherapyPortal™](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/client-portal/) - [Telehealth](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/telehealth/) - [TherapySearch™](https://www.therapysearch.com/clinicians) Additional Resources - [Mobile App](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/therapynotes-mobile/) - [Support](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/support/) - [Security](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/security/) - [Pricing](https://www.therapynotes.com/pricing/) - [Blog](https://blog.therapynotes.com/) - [About](https://www.therapynotes.com/company/) - [Contact](https://www.therapynotes.com/contact/) - [![TherapyNotes](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/MobileMenuCall@2x.png?noresize&width=24&height=24&name=MobileMenuCall@2x.png)(215) 658-4550](tel:+12156584550) - [Try Free](https://www.therapynotes.com/about/signup/) [Log In](https://www.therapynotes.com/app/login/) Blog Post Topic Filter Topic Topic Select a topic to show [All Topics](https://blog.therapynotes.com) - [Software Updates (290)](https://blog.therapynotes.com/topic/software-updates) - [Business Ownership (79)](https://blog.therapynotes.com/topic/business-ownership) - [Group Practice (52)](https://blog.therapynotes.com/topic/group-practice) - [Company News (47)](https://blog.therapynotes.com/topic/company-news) - [Marketing (35)](https://blog.therapynotes.com/topic/marketing) - [Medical Billing (17)](https://blog.therapynotes.com/topic/medical-billing) - [Technology (10)](https://blog.therapynotes.com/topic/technology) - [Documentation (7)](https://blog.therapynotes.com/topic/documentation) - [Accounting (6)](https://blog.therapynotes.com/topic/accounting) - [Networking (6)](https://blog.therapynotes.com/topic/networking) - [Niche (6)](https://blog.therapynotes.com/topic/niche) - [TherapySearch (4)](https://blog.therapynotes.com/topic/therapysearch) Reading When Your Practice PlateausFind More Posts # When Your Practice Plateaus ##### By Allison Puryear, LCSW, CEDS on September 4, 2019 ![190903-practiceplateau-100x100](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hubfs/images/blog/posts/190903-practiceplateau-840x500.png?noresize?noresize) Maybe you’re chugging along. The phone is ringing, you’re seeing clients, you’re thinking, “Finally! It’s happening! They’re coming!” From what I’ve seen—and depending on your personality, of course—you either sigh with relief or worry that it won’t last. But then you hit the dreaded Practice Plateau. I see this mostly when people are in the 8–12 clients per week range. It’s often a combo of the phone calls slowing down and clients graduating from therapy. It’s far more likely to happen in your first year. You know, right when you’re feeling most insecure about the future success of your practice.  Let’s talk about why this usually happens and what to do about it.  ### **Why Is This Happening To Me?** First, know that you haven’t done anything wrong. If you’re like most private practice owners, once the phone really started ringing, you probably slowed down a bit with your marketing. That makes sense! As we talked about in [the blog post about how marketing is mostly time-limited in the life-span of your practice](https://blog.therapynotes.com/marketing-is-mostly-time-limited), referrals get on autopilot after a while. You just pumped the brakes a little too soon, but not to worry!  Take an honest look at how your marketing may have changed as you got more clients. Did you slow down your networking because it was harder to fit colleagues in with all your new clients? Did you stop writing a weekly blog when a new client slipped into the time that you set aside for it? If you’re someone who relies really heavily on an online listing site, like [Psychology Today](https://www.psychologytoday.com/), it may be that you got bumped to the bottom of the list in their ever-changing rotation.  Another cause for the plateau may be the time of year. Different niches tend to have different ebbs and flows. As an eating disorder therapist, I find that the holidays are ripe for deep work with current clients, but that referrals trickle in when they usually cascade. My ideal clients tend to have an “I’ll start on Monday!” mentality and with January around the corner, their “New Year, New Me” seems to include therapy. So, any lull I see in November and December is balanced by a surge at the start of the year. My referrals go up in the summer, but I know a lot of people early in their practice may experience a bit of a slowdown. Across the practices I’ve worked with, I’ve seen that the Summer Slump tends to even out after your first few years of practice.  ### **How to Un-Plateau** Good news: this will be easier than you think! Look at the clients you have had so far. Where did most of them come from? Do more of that. If it was networking, get back out there and get some coffees with people. It could even be the people you’ve already met and already like if they’ve sent folks your way. This nurtures the relationship. If it was blogging, get back on that train! If it was an online listing, try tweaking a few words or reordering a sentence to see if editing puts you back up top (this is rumored to help, but directories won’t tell what their algorithm really picks up on).  Above all, know that you already did the hardest part: getting your first few clients. You’ve proven to yourself that you can find good-fit clients who want to work with you. You can do it again! \* The content of this post is intended to serve as general advice and information. It is not to be taken as legal advice and may not account for all rules and regulations in every jurisdiction. For legal advice, please contact an attorney. ![Allison Puryear, LCSW, CEDS](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hubfs/images/blog/avatars/190113-allisonpuryear-280x280.jpg) ##### About Allison Puryear, LCSW, CEDS Allison Puryear is an LCSW, CEDS with a nearly diagnosable obsession with business development. She has started practices in three different states and wants you to know that building a private practice is shockingly doable when you have a plan and support. She teaches everything you need to know about building a private practice in the [Abundance Party](https://abundanceparty.com/), where you can get practice-building help for the cost of a copay. You can download a [free private practice checklist](https://abundancepracticebuilding.com/checklist/) to make sure you have your ducks in a row, listen in on consultations and interviews on the [Abundant Practice Podcast](https://abundancepracticebuilding.com/podcast/), and hop into the free [Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/440660232762561/) full of over 14,000 other clinicians in private practice. Allison is all about helping you gain the confidence and tools you need to succeed. Share: Previous Post: [The Secret to Getting Great Testimonials for Your Therapy Site](https://blog.therapynotes.com/the-secret-to-getting-great-testimonials-for-your-therapy-site) Next Post: [TherapyNotes™ 4.51: Psychiatry Treatment Plan No Longer Required, Boosted Billing Performance, and More](https://blog.therapynotes.com/version-4-51) ##### Get more content like this, delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter. ## More Content You'll Enjoy ![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hubfs/261109-HowtoPrepareYourPracticeforThirdPartyAudit500x500.png) ##### [How to Prepare Your Practice for a Third-Party Audit](https://blog.therapynotes.com/how-to-prepare-your-practice-for-a-third-party-audit) Receiving an audit or records request from an insurance company, or a third party working... ![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hubfs/TherapyNotes%20Coaching.png) ##### [How to Protect Your License When Adding Coaching to Your Practice](https://blog.therapynotes.com/how-to-protect-your-license-when-adding-coaching-to-your-practice) You worked hard for your license—years of school, supervised hours, exams, and continuing... ![](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hubfs/Whats%20New%20Images/social/blog-posts/260408-10freemarketingmethods-1000x500.png) ##### [6 Free Marketing Methods to Elevate Your Practice](https://blog.therapynotes.com/6-free-marketing-methods-to-elevate-your-practice) Hearing the word “Marketing” may turn your stomach; given the expensive options out there... ![Phone Icon](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/FooterPhoneIcon@2x.png?noresize&height=20&name=FooterPhoneIcon@2x.png) We're here for you every day of the week. [(215) 658-4550](tel:+12156584550) What our customers are saying:“I just switched to TN five months ago. Customer service at TN is unmatched and my transition to them was easy. The cost is also awesome! Plus they are taking notes and making new improvements daily. Personally, I love it here!”By Deirdre on April 2, 2024 Explore [Pricing](https://www.therapynotes.com/pricing/) [Blog](https://blog.therapynotes.com/) [Help Center](https://support.therapynotes.com) [For Education](https://www.therapynotes.com/education/) Practice Management [Billing](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/billing/) [Scheduling](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/scheduling/) [Messaging](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/securemessaging/) [Payments](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/credit-card-processing/) Clinical Documentation [Notes](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/notes/) [TherapyFuel®](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/therapyfuel/) [Outcome Measures](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/outcome-measures/) [ePrescribe](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/eprescribe/) Client Engagement [TherapyPortal™](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/client-portal/) [Telehealth](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/telehealth/) [TherapySearch™](https://www.therapysearch.com/clinicians) Additional Resources [Mobile App](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/therapynotes-mobile/) [Support](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/support/) [Security](https://www.therapynotes.com/features/security/) About [Company](https://www.therapynotes.com/company/) [Careers](https://www.therapynotes.com/careers/) [Reviews](https://www.therapynotes.com/reviews/) [Contact](https://www.therapynotes.com/contact/) [Store](https://therapynotesshop.com/) [Status](https://blog.therapynotes.com/status) Highest Rated EHR 4.9 out of 5 stars | [2,755 Reviews](https://www.therapynotes.com/reviews/) America’s Best Online Platforms Newsweek and Statista 2025–2026 [![TherapyNotes logo](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/FooterLogo@2x.png?noresize&width=38&height=44&name=FooterLogo@2x.png)](https://www.therapynotes.com/) © TherapyNotes, LLC. All Rights Reserved. [![California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Opt-Out Icon](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hubfs/images/primary/CCPAprivacyoptions.svg) Your Privacy Choices](https://blog.therapynotes.com/data-subject-request) [Privacy Policy](https://www.therapynotes.com/legal/privacypolicy/) [Terms of Service](https://www.therapynotes.com/legal/usertermsofservice/) [Data Processing Addendum](https://www.therapynotes.com/legal/eucustomerdpa/) Cookie Settings ![Phone Icon](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/FooterPhoneIcon@2x.png?noresize&width=18&height=18&name=FooterPhoneIcon@2x.png) We're here for you every day of the week. [(215) 658-4550](tel:+12156584550) What our customers are saying: “I just switched to TN five months ago. Customer service at TN is unmatched and my transition to them was easy. The cost is also awesome! Plus they are taking notes and making new improvements daily. Personally, I love it here!” By Deirdre on April 2, 2024 ![Trustpilot](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/FooterTrustpilotLogo@2x-1.png?noresize&width=96&height=24&name=FooterTrustpilotLogo@2x-1.png) Highest Rated EHR 4.9 out of 5 | [2,755 Reviews](https://www.therapynotes.com/reviews/) America’s Best Online Platforms Newsweek and Statista 2025–2026 [![TherapyNotes logo](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/primary/FooterLogo@2x.png?noresize&width=38&height=44&name=FooterLogo@2x.png)](https://www.therapynotes.com/) © TherapyNotes, LLC. All Rights Reserved. [![California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Opt-Out Icon](https://blog.therapynotes.com/hubfs/images/primary/CCPAprivacyoptions.svg) Your Privacy Choices](https://blog.therapynotes.com/data-subject-request) [Privacy Policy](https://www.therapynotes.com/legal/privacypolicy/) [Terms of Service](https://www.therapynotes.com/legal/usertermsofservice/) [Data Processing Addendum](https://www.therapynotes.com/legal/eucustomerdpa/) Cookie Settings