How to Start a Nutrition Private Practice: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide 

Starting a private practice can feel overwhelming, confusing, and downright terrifying at times. Everyone is scared at the beginning and no one knows exactly how to start a private practice as a new business owner! 

But you’re also feeling excited about this new adventure. You know you’re meant to make a difference in the lives of others and change your own life, too. 

You deserve to take up space in business.

In today’s blog, we’re covering 7 steps to create a personalized plan to set up and begin your brand-new business. 

Make sure to download The Ultimate Checklist To Start Your Private Practice. This resource is for beginners who want to know the steps to take to start a business!

Nutrition Private Practice Owner Turned Business Coach: My Story 

I had a private practice for over 10 years as a Registered Dietitian, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, and Clinical Supervisor. 

I made all the mistakes in building my business and I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to make those mistakes too. 

Business WILL have ups and downs. I celebrate the wins AND understand the need to vent about stress. But the journey is worth it and business ownership leads to more flexibility, freedom, money, impact, and especially more satisfaction in your career. 

Starting my private practice was the first step in building a scalable business. I slowly built my caseload to full-time, hired other team members, and then created an online course. 

I started to help others in business and that’s how Pursuing Private Practice was born. I’m honored to say I’ve worked with over 400 professionals in various stages of business in our mastermind program Business School!

I believe in your ability to become an amazing business owner and inspire you to take up space in business. 

Here are the 7 steps to start a nutrition private practice:

Step 1: Pick Your Open Date, Business Name, & Shift Your Mindset for Success

Okay, so you’re thinking about starting your own private practice. First things first – pick a date to open (and a business name, of course). It’s like setting a deadline for yourself.

This is the date you’re announcing you’re open for business! Shifting your mindset to declare that you’ll open on a certain date will help you create a solid checklist, action plan, and business plan for presenting your practice to others and securing your first client. 

Don’t forget to believe in yourself – clients will come your way!

You can do hard things. Your biggest asset is your mindset. And, it can be the thing that holds you back.  

• Don’t compare: Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle or end. 
• It will be hard: Know that this is a journey of ups and downs. And, it will be worth it. 
• Mistakes will be made: You WILL make mistakes. Don’t be afraid of this!  

Remember your “why” for wanting to start your business when it gets hard. There are so many benefits to private practice and the hard work is worth it. You can do this! 

Virtual vs. in-person office space

Don’t forget to consider if you will be virtual, in-person, or a mixture of the two for your services. Many clients will prefer one over the other, but what is most important is what works for you!

Step 2: Understand the Legal Side of Business and Your Business Plan

All you need is 1-2 hours. Don’t let this step get you stuck. 

Make the best decisions you can and know you can change them later. 

The key is to keep legal stuff simple for now. You can always hire a lawyer, but when you’re just starting, official legal advice will be too expensive.

Choose a business structure and business license

No matter which structure you choose, it’s important to register your practice and obtain a business license to operate legally. These are important parts of the costs of private practice, so don’t skip this.

• Sole proprietor:
  
  • File a “Schedule C” with your tax returns each year. You can get a “DBA: doing business as” document from your local court office (or online) and celebrate that you’re an official business!
    
• LLC or PLLC:
  
  • The process for filing an LLC or PLLC depends on your state, since it can be different in every state, so make sure you file the proper business license.
    
• Other needs:
  
  • You’ll need professional liability insurance, a Tax ID number, an NPI number, and a business bank account. You can great a great deal on Proliability insurance if you are a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics!
    

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by this, start simple. You know that running a private practice requires planning and adherence to legal policies, including HIPAA compliance, but don’t let it overwhelm you to the point of inaction.

Schedule 1 hour in your calendar where you’ll sit down and research the legal steps on how to start a private practice in your state. 

At the end of the hour, commit to your decisions. Remember, keep it simple, and you can always change it later. 

Step 3: Think About Your Ideal Client 

Now is the time to start thinking about your ideal client. But you don’t have to niche down just yet.  

Unless you know exactly who you want to work with, you can start by seeing different types of clients to figure out who you like working with. It takes experience to figure this out. 

Take out a notebook and write down notes about the following 3 things about your ideal client:

1. Pain points of clients that you’d like to work with.
   
2. An area of interest that inspires and excites you (while taking into consideration the demand for your services).
   
3. How your business can help these clients.
   

Take some time to explore different types of clients and really get to know who you enjoy working with and who you don’t. Also, start to consider how many clients you’d like to see in a week. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to niche down! 

Step 4: Set Up the Most Important Piece of Your Office – Collecting Payments and Billing

Don’t let this overwhelm you! There are 2 simple steps to accepting payment for your business. 

1. Separate your finances:

No matter your business structure, keep your business finances separate from your personal finances. This will help you avoid a major headache at tax time. Go to your bank to open a business bank account or use an online bank. Now your money has a place to go! 

2. Set up a way to take payments: 

Square and Stripe are the easiest to use for accepting payments and sending invoices. You don’t need an EMR or practice management software to accept payments, but you may choose to set this up now because many charting systems also support collecting payments from clients. Even if you plan to accept insurance, you still need a way to accept payments after filing insurance claims. Now, you’re ready to onboard a client!! 

 3. Consider if you will apply to any insurance panels or just private pay

Consider if you will apply to any insurance panels for your private practice or accept private pay. There are many pros and cons to accepting insurance in private practice.

While joining an insurance provider can increase your visibility and help you reach more potential clients quickly, it’s not always the best option for everyone. 

When it comes to deciding what to charge, research what other professionals in your area are charging and use that to set a fee for your first few clients.

Pricing is a lot more complicated than this, but this will help you get started. 

Step 5: Announce Your Nutrition Private Practice! 

Woohoo!! It’s time to tell everyone you’re open for business and ready to see new clients! In fact, we have a whole blog post on getting your first few clients in private practice!

Who to tell that you’re open for business: 

• Friends
• Family
• Personal network
• Colleagues you have a relationship with

You can tell them in person, on the phone, or on your social media accounts. 

Don’t keep your business a secret. 

Remember, you don’t need a fancy brand and expensive website at this stage of business. Your first few clients will likely come from your network. 

It can be as simple as having a Google doc with your services, fees, and how to make an appointment. 

Step 6: Network & Practice the Art of Selling  

Now it’s time to introduce yourself to people you may not know directly. Think about where your ideal-ish clients are looking for information. Where are your potential referral sources? 

While it is scary, networking is something we all have to do. 

Here are 3 things to remember when you start networking: 

1. Exchanging business cards is not networking.
2. The key is to form authentic relationships. 
3. Think of quality over quantity. 

Don’t be afraid to sell your services, but recognize that it’s a skill that develops over time with practice. 

You know people need your services and you have a solution to their problem. 

If you have the potential to help them create a shift in their own life, they deserve to hear about what you have to offer (and remember, they absolutely have the autonomy to say “no”). 

Practice getting comfortable with these 4 topics: 

What Services You Offer

Figuring out what specific services to offer is one of the most important steps when starting a private practice.

It’s crucial to focus on providing quality services that meet the diverse needs of clients. Begin by determining whether to offer physical or virtual services—or a mix of both.

A physical practice provides in-person interactions, which some clients may prefer, while virtual services offer convenience and flexibility, expanding your reach to a broader audience.

Tailoring services to specific client needs is essential; consider whether you want to provide coaching or counseling, as each serves different purposes. Additionally, joining insurance panels can make your services more accessible, ensuring a steady stream of clients.

Understanding licensure requirements and obtaining the necessary support can simplify this complex process. Don’t forget the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) to make your services easily findable online.

Knowing where to begin and setting clear policies will help streamline operations. The platforms you use, such as telehealth systems or office management software, also play a crucial role in delivering efficient services. Referring clients when necessary ensures they receive the best care possible, even if it’s outside your scope.

How You Help Clients

Helping clients effectively involves more than just offering services; it’s about creating a supportive and professional environment.

Start by setting clear policies that outline what clients can expect from you, including confidentiality, appointment scheduling, and communication practices.

Whether you choose to see clients in person or virtually, ensuring a seamless and consistent experience is key. Providing personalized care tailored to each client’s needs—whether through coaching, counseling, or other therapeutic methods—demonstrates a commitment to their well-being.

Using your industry expertise to address specific issues and offer practical solutions will enhance client satisfaction. Additionally, staying up-to-date with the latest best practices and continuously improving your skills ensures that clients receive the highest standard of care.

What You Charge

Setting your fees is a critical aspect of running a private practice.

Start by researching the going rates for similar services in your area to ensure your pricing is competitive. Consider the costs associated with running your practice, including office space, platforms you use, insurance, and administrative expenses.

Decide if you will offer a sliding scale or payment plans to accommodate clients with varying financial situations. Transparency is key; make sure your clients understand your fee structure, what is included in the cost of services, and any additional charges they might incur.

If you plan to join insurance panels, be aware of how insurance reimbursements work and how they will impact your revenue.

What a Client Can Expect When Working with You

Clients need to know what to expect when they choose to work with you.

From the initial contact to ongoing sessions, providing a clear and structured process helps build trust and sets the stage for a successful therapeutic relationship.

Clearly outline the steps involved in starting services with you, such as an initial consultation, assessment, and the creation of a personalized treatment plan.

Highlight your approach, whether it’s solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral, or another method, so clients understand how you will work together to achieve their goals.

Explain the logistics, such as the platforms you use for virtual sessions, the location and setup of your physical office space, and your policies on cancellations and rescheduling.

Finally, emphasize your commitment to confidentiality and professionalism, ensuring that clients feel safe and respected throughout their journey with you.

 …practice, practice, practice! 

Step 7: Get Your Support System in Place 

You came to this blog wondering how to start a private practice, and I want you to leave with one of the most important pieces of advice: find your support system. 

Start to form your “team” ASAP. Your team will be your support system throughout the ups and downs of beginning your business. 

Lean on family, friends, professional colleagues, and other like-minded professionals. 

You’ll need support through celebrating the wins, venting about frustrations, accountability to do hard work, and all of the highs and lows of building a business. 

 You got this! Here at Pursuing Private Practice, we’re cheering you on. 

Why Recession is an Opportunity 

You may be wondering – is a recession a time to focus on your business? Especially with all the business expenses that come along with it?

Sure, you can put off working on your business until the economy settles down. But here’s the thing. 

You’ll never be able to control what’s happening around you. What you can do is focus on what’s in your control.  

Recession is an opportunity for you to take time to think about what you really want to do in your life – both in the next few months and years. 

Having your own business gives you: 

• Control over your schedule:
  
  • You can see more or fewer clients as your schedule allows.
    
• Financial autonomy:
  
  • You set your own prices for your services and can raise them as you see fit (we know pricing is a nuanced topic AND we love to work on pricing with you!)
    
• Financial security:
  
  • You can add a couple of hundred dollars a week to your income by seeing a couple of clients on-the-side, OR you can choose to grow or scale your business to bring even more money into your business. Growing your business will be something that you’ll never regret!
    

If you are really ready for private practice, definitely consider continuing education and seeking guidance from a business coach to help you attract more ideal clients so you can keep your practice up and running.

Remember, this is your ultimate guide to becoming a successful private practice owner. Take it one step at a time and don’t rush the process. Your dream of having your own private practice is within reach – you just have to put in the work to make it happen! 

Being ready is a decision, not a feeling. Decide you’re ready to start running a business today!

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Want to work with me to build your private practice?

Business School is a comprehensive 6-month program designed to guide you through every stage of building a private practice: getting set up, seeing your first clients, growing until you’re fully booked, hiring a team, expanding your offers—and even learning how to coast when needed. Inside, you’ll follow a step-by-step curriculum with the flexibility to choose the path that fits your current stage of business and life. You’ll get access to advanced toolkits, templates, and systems for business topics like marketing and finances, but also for counseling skills and client support. Beyond the curriculum, you’re supported by personalized 1:1 coaching, weekly office hours, and monthly themes that address the real challenges of private practice. The program keeps you moving forward with built-in accountability that builds resilience and confidence so you feel like a legit business owner. Learn more and apply!