When Business Slows Down: Finding Balance During the Ebbs and Flows of Private Practice

For about a month, my business hit a slump — a real one. What I mean by that is simple: for roughly six weeks, I stopped getting new referrals.

Since leaving my contractor position to focus full-time on my private music therapy practice, this was the first time I’d gone that long without steady inquiries. I still had enough clients each week to make ends meet, but something felt off. The momentum I had come to rely on suddenly disappeared, and that made me restless.

The Type A Trap

If you know anyone who describes themselves as “Type A,” you know the mindset: our sense of worth is often tied to how much we’re accomplishing. How many clients we’re seeing, how much money we’re earning, how many goals we’re hitting — it all becomes part of how we measure ourselves.

So when business slowed, I struggled.

This work is so passion-driven that it’s easy for me to take the business’s ups and downs personally. When I’m receiving new referrals and staying busy, I feel energized and confident. But when things slow down, I start to question myself — even though, rationally, I know it’s not a reflection of my worth or capability. (Try telling that to my emotions, though!)

I remember someone once told me, “Business will always have ebbs and flows.” I didn’t fully understand what that meant until I experienced it firsthand.

Learning to Trust the Process

When the slump started, I panicked a little. Then I decided to take action: I began marketing more intentionally, reaching out to referral sources, and connecting with other professionals in my network. Slowly but surely, things started to shift — a few new inquiries came in, and my schedule began to fill again.

Now that I’m coming out of that slower period, I can reflect with a clearer head. I’ve learned that these ebbs and flows are a normal part of running a private practice — not a sign of failure, but part of the rhythm of entrepreneurship.

I’m working on separating my self-worth from my business’s performance, and learning to find peace even when things feel uncertain. Because truthfully, slumps will happen again — and instead of fighting them, I’m learning to make friends with them.

If You’re in a Slump Too

If you’re a small business owner or private practice therapist going through a slow season, I want you to know this: you’re not alone. Every business has quiet periods. It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong — it just means you’re human, and you’re in it for the long game.

If you ever need to talk about navigating these ups and downs, my inbox is open. Let’s remind each other that momentum always returns — sometimes, all it takes is patience, perspective, and a little trust in the process.