My "GPS" for Choosing a Private Practice
A framework for navigating the private practice landscape
Available for booking by professional organizations, clinics, associations, and training programs.
Workshop Overview
My "GPS" for Choosing a Private Practice
Most psychologists enter private practice without a roadmap. They sign agreements they don't fully understand, join models that quietly undercut their earnings, and wake up years later wondering why the career they worked so hard for doesn't feel like theirs.
Our industry faces unprecedented challenges. As Canada's largest and longest-standing group of PhD psychologists, Gilmour Psychological Services has spent decades watching our profession be undervalued — by fee-split structures, by multidisciplinary environments, and increasingly, by private equity firms buying their way into our field.
Beyond financial considerations, long-term career satisfaction depends on factors that often get overlooked. In this workshop, we introduce our GPS framework to help you navigate 17 Critical Dimensions that make private practices differ from one another — factors that shape your success and daily experience, but also the profession.
G — Guidance
P — Professional Identity
S — Support
We walk you through every dimension — from business model structures (fee splits, licensing, cost-shares, and more) to what shapes your daily experience, your autonomy, and your professional legacy.
Workshop Details
We believe it's critical that every psychologist understand the various types of business models — not only because it shapes one's career, but also the profession in Canada. Private practice, when done right, isn't just a career path — it's a platform for protecting our professional identity, driving ethical leadership, and solving the problems our profession faces.
Who This Session is For
- Students or new grads trying to understand their options before they commit
- Experienced psychologists wondering if there's a better fit
- Supervisors or professors who mentor others in our profession and believe private practice should protect — not compromise — our professional identity
What Participants Will Gain
- A clear understanding of the four main private practice models and how they differ
- The 17 Critical Dimensions framework for systematically evaluating any practice opportunity
- Practical insight into employee vs. independent contractor status in Canadian contexts
- Access to the GPS Business Calculator and Practice Scorecard tools
Format & Duration
- Flexible delivery: 1 to 5 hours
- Format can be adapted to your organization’s goals, audience, and time constraints
Presenters
Dr. Deanna Drahovzal, C.Psych.
Co-Director, Gilmour Psychological Services®
[View Deanna’s bio →]
Dr. Caroline Ostiguy, C.Psych.
Co-Director, Gilmour Psychological Services®
[View Caroline's bio →]
Interested in Booking a Workshop?
If you’re interested in hosting this workshop for your organization, we’d be happy to discuss your needs and availability.
