Open My Practice Guides
Running a private practice in Texas, explained
What every newly licensed therapist needs to know about the business side of practice, from forming your PLLC to renewing your license.
Starting a practice
Going Solo: What Private Practice Is Really Like, and How to Know It's Right for YouAn honest look at life as a solo private practice therapist: the freedom, the tradeoffs, the signs you're ready, and how to test the waters before you leave your job.7 min readHow to Start a Private Practice in Texas: The Complete Overview for New TherapistsEverything a newly licensed LPC, LMFT, LCSW, or psychologist needs to open a private practice in Texas: entity formation, tax IDs, NPI, insurance, HIPAA, paperwork, and ongoing compliance.7 min readPLLC vs. LLC for Therapists in Texas: Which One Do You Need?Why licensed mental health professionals in Texas typically form a PLLC instead of a regular LLC, what the PLLC rules require, and the yearly filings that come with it.5 min read
Licensing and CE
Texas License Renewal for LPCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and PsychologistsHow license renewal works for Texas mental health professionals under the Behavioral Health Executive Council: timing, CE hours, jurisprudence, human trafficking training, CE Broker, and late renewal.6 min readContinuing Education Requirements for Texas Mental Health ProfessionalsCE hour totals, ethics and cultural diversity requirements, CE Broker reporting, audits, and carry-forward rules for Texas counselors, MFTs, social workers, and psychologists.5 min read
Compliance
HIPAA for Private Practice Therapists: What a Solo Practice NeedsThe HIPAA and Texas privacy basics every solo therapy practice needs: privacy and security policies, risk analysis, business associate agreements, Notice of Privacy Practices, and breach planning.6 min readThe Good Faith Estimate for Therapists: No Surprises Act BasicsWhat the No Surprises Act requires of therapists who see self-pay or uninsured clients: when to give a Good Faith Estimate, what notice clients must receive, the $400 dispute rule, and record keeping.5 min read
Practice setup
NPI Numbers for Therapists: Type 1, Type 2, and When You Need EachWhat a National Provider Identifier is, why therapists need one even in cash-pay practices, the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 NPIs, and what applying involves.4 min readHow to Choose an EHR for Your Therapy PracticeWhat to look for in an electronic health record system as a new private practice therapist: privacy agreements, scheduling, notes, billing, telehealth, Good Faith Estimates, cost, and data export.5 min readMalpractice Insurance for New Private Practice TherapistsWhat professional liability insurance covers for therapists, claims-made vs. occurrence policies, license defense coverage, and why an employer's policy usually won't cover your private practice.4 min read
Rather not do all of this yourself?
Open My Practice handles the business side of your practice, from formation to renewal, so you can focus on clients.
Start your practice