Sell My Practice
Exit Your Practice with Dignity and Profit: A Personal and Professional Guide.
From Lived Experience to Strategic Insight
This page offers guidance not just on the mechanics of a sale but also on the emotional clarity, grounded decision-making, and trusted support that make all the difference in navigating a successful and meaningful exit.
From Lived Experience to Strategic Insight
Selling a mental health group practice isn’t just a business transaction; it’s an emotional journey. I know this firsthand. As someone who built and sold a thriving group practice, I understand the complexity of letting go of something you’ve poured your heart, energy, and identity into.
This page offers guidance not just on the mechanics of a sale but also on the emotional clarity, grounded decision-making, and trusted support that make all the difference in navigating a successful and meaningful exit.
When Is It Time To Consider an Exit?
Exiting your practice is a profoundly personal decision. It may begin as a quiet nudge or a growing pull toward something new. Here are some signs it might be time to start planning:
- You feel called toward a new professional chapter—consulting, investing, or something outside the field altogether.
- The day-to-day of running the practice no longer energizes you.
- Your practice is operating smoothly and profitably without heavy oversight—a sign it's ready to thrive under new ownership.
- You want to secure the value of what you’ve built and create more personal freedom or financial flexibility.
“One of the most surprising parts of selling my practice wasn’t the negotiation or the paperwork—it was the internal shift. It meant grieving the end of a chapter, even as I stepped into something exciting and new.”
Exploring Exit Options
Depending on your goals, values, and timeline, there are multiple ways to transition out of your practice.
1. Internal Sale to a Clinical Director or Partner
If you’ve cultivated leadership within your team, selling internally can preserve your legacy and create a smoother cultural transition.
2. Employee Ownership or Buy-In Model
Gradually transition ownership to key clinicians or leadership team members over time, through equity buy-ins or profit-sharing structures.
3. Merger with Another Group Practice
Combine forces with a peer practice to increase value and scale before exiting together or handing off leadership.
4. Wind-Down
and Asset Sale
In some cases, closing the practice and selling off assets (client lists, brand, furniture, equipment) may be the right choice—especially for smaller or solo practices.
5. Sale to a Strategic Buyer or Larger Entity
Selling to a private equity group, healthcare network, or national platform remains a strong option for larger practices with scalable infrastructure.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all exit. The right path is the one that honors both the work you’ve done and the life you want to build next.”
Navigating the Emotional Side of Selling
Let’s be honest: no spreadsheet prepares you for the emotional complexity of exiting something you’ve built from the ground up.
Common Emotional Challenges:
Identity Shifts
Who am I without this business?
Fear of Regret
Responsibility for Staff & Clients
Uncertainty About “What’s Next?”
This is why support is essential. Throughout my own sale, I leaned on mentors, advisors, and fellow practice owners who had walked this path before. Their perspective kept me grounded when emotions ran high and helped me make decisions aligned with my long-term goals.
Key Factors to Consider Before Selling
1. Your Readiness (Not Just the Practice’s)
2. Practice Value
3. Systems and Independence
4. Cultural Fit
What the Selling Process Actually Looks Like
From my own experience and industry best practices, here’s a roadmap of how most group practice sales unfold:
Step 1: Valuation & Preparation
- Hire a business appraiser or advisor familiar with mental health practices.
- Clean and organize your financials, contracts, and compliance documents.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency pre-sale.
Step 2: Listing & Buyer Outreach
- Decide whether to list quietly or publicly.
- Use brokers, networks, or personal connections to find value-aligned buyers.
Step 3: Offers & Negotiation
- Review offers carefully—not just price, but structure (e.g., earn-outs, equity, exit timeline).
- Evaluate the buyer’s ability to lead the team and sustain the practice's mission.
Step 4: Due Diligence
- Be prepared for an in-depth review of everything: financials, staffing, clinical outcomes, billing, and systems.
- Transparency builds trust and protects you legally.
Step 5: Final Agreements & Closing
- Work closely with a healthcare-focused attorney.
- Prepare your staff and clients for a thoughtful transition.
- Finalize terms, payments, and any post-sale involvement.
My Role as a Guide and Support
I’ve been in your shoes and am here to support other practice owners with compassion, clarity, and strategy.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore the idea or actively preparing for sale, I can help you:
- Reflect on your goals and emotional readiness
- Assess the best exit option(s) for your situation
- Understand your practice’s value and buyer landscape
- Navigate decision-making without overwhelm or regret
- Connect with vetted professionals (brokers, lawyers, buyers), as needed
“You don’t have to do this alone. Selling your practice can be a deeply empowering experience—when it’s done with intention, transparency, and the right support.”
Contact Me to Schedule a Complementary Consultation
If you’re an operator, innovator, or investor who shares my commitment to reshaping and enhancing
mental health care, let’s connect.