When to Make the Leap
Growing from a solo practice to a multi-therapist clinic is a significant milestone. It transforms your business from a service business to a scalable enterprise - but timing and preparation are critical.
The 4 Stages of Scaling
Understanding your growth journey
Stage 1: Solo Practitioner (Year 0-2)
Building personal brand, establishing systems, achieving profitability. Focus: Clinical skills + basic business operations.
Stage 2: Solo with Support (Year 2-3)
Hire part-time admin/staff. Systems established. Focus: Delegation, optimizing schedule, building waitlist.
Stage 3: Small Team (Year 3-5)
Hire 2-3 therapists. Move to bigger space. Focus: Hiring, training, maintaining quality, building team culture.
Stage 4: Multi-Location (Year 5+)
Multiple locations, 10+ therapists, management team. Focus: Systems, SOPs, brand, leadership.
Hiring the Right Therapists
Finding and recruiting qualified mental health professionals
Where to Find Candidates:
- University placement cells (RCI institutes)
- LinkedIn job posts
- Indeed India
- Professional associations (NIMHANS, IPC)
- Referrals from trusted colleagues
Qualifications to Look For:
- RCI registration (for psychologists)
- Relevant specialization (CBT, REBT, ATP)
- Internship/clinical experience
- Good communication skills
- Ethical practice alignment
Red Flags: No RCI registration (unless under supervision), poor references, Unrealistic salary expectations, only interested in part-time, unclear about scope of practice.
Compensation Models
How to structure therapist payments in India
Revenue Share
Therapist gets 40-60% of session fees. Low fixed cost, higher variable cost.
Fixed Salary
Monthly salary + incentives. Predictable costs, requires more clients.
Hybrid
Base salary + commission on extra sessions. Balanced risk/reward.
| Experience | Monthly Salary Range | Revenue Share % |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh (0-2 yrs) | ₹25,000 - ₹40,000 | 40-45% |
| Experienced (2-5 yrs) | ₹40,000 - ₹70,000 | 45-55% |
| Senior (5+ yrs) | ₹70,000 - ₹1,20,000 | 55-65% |
Disclaimer: Compensation figures are indicative based on industry standards in major Indian metros (2026). Actual salaries depend on location, qualifications, specialization, and clinic revenues.
Managing Your Team
Creating a sustainable and ethical practice culture
Case Reviews
Weekly group supervision sessions for complex cases. Essential for quality and legal protection.
Continued Learning
Budget for workshops, certifications. Encourage attendance at conferences.
Clear Agreements
Written contracts covering: payment terms, notice period, confidentiality, non-compete.
Open Communication
Regular 1-on-1s, feedback sessions, open-door policy for concerns.
Legal & Compliance
What you need when employing therapists
Employment Documents:
- Appointment letter
- Employment contract
- Non-disclosure agreement (NDA)
- Confidentiality clause
- Notice period terms
Registrations Needed:
- EPF registration (if 20+ employees)
- ESI registration (if 10+ employees)
- Professional tax registration
- Update GST registration
- Clinic registration (state-specific)
Ready to Scale Your Practice?
Book a free 30-minute strategy call to create your expansion plan.