Live Virtual Training via Zoom

Rochelle Ritzi, PhD, presents a live virtual professional training program on Starting a Counseling Private Practice: Tips and Advice from a Private Practice Owner.

Transitioning into private practice requires mental health professionals to assume responsibilities beyond direct clinical service delivery, including ethical decision-making, legal compliance, administrative planning, and boundary management. 

This program examines key professional considerations in the formation and sustainability of private practice through an ethical, legal, and professional-standards framework. Topics include defining the scope of practice, establishing practice policies and procedures, selecting documentation and service-delivery systems, managing professional boundaries, and understanding ethical considerations related to advertising and referrals. Emphasis is placed on risk awareness, professional accountability, and clinician well-being. Illustrative examples aligned with applicable ethical guidelines and regulatory standards will be used to help participants make informed decisions about private practice.

This program is designed for professionals at any stage of their career, across a variety of settings. It is especially valuable for those who are curious about opening a private practice or who support someone who does.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe ethical and legal considerations relevant to establishing and operating a private practice
  • 2 Describe factors involved in defining the scope of practice and professional boundaries in independent practice
  • 3 Describe key administrative and documentation requirements for private practice settings
  • 4 Describe ethical considerations related to advertising, referrals, and public representation
  • 5 Describe common professional risks in private practice and strategies to mitigate and manage them

  • Intended Audience

    This program is designed for individuals interested in the unique responsibilities and considerations involved in establishing and supporting private mental health practices. It is particularly relevant for those seeking to navigate ethical, legal, and professional standards, as well as those aiming to ensure effective practice management and uphold high standards of client care.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Counselor
    • Psychologist
    • Social Worker
    • Marriage and Family Therapist
    • Clinical Supervisor
    • Practice Manager
    • Behavioral Health Consultant

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at any stage of their career who are interested in the ethical, legal, and administrative foundations of private practice. Beginner: New to private practice or considering transitioning from agency or group settings; seeking foundational knowledge of ethical, legal, and administrative requirements.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals in this program typically work in private mental health practice environments, which may include solo or group offices, telehealth settings, or hybrid models. These settings require professionals to manage both clinical and administrative responsibilities, maintain client confidentiality, and ensure compliance with ethical and legal standards. The environment is often characterized by autonomy, direct client interaction, and the need for effective practice management systems.

    Examples of practice settings:

    • Private solo office for individual or family therapy
    • Group practice with multiple mental health professionals
    • Telehealth-based practice providing remote services
    • Community-based private practice serving specific populations
    • Consulting within multidisciplinary behavioral health clinics
    • Hybrid practices combining in-person and virtual care
    • Administrative roles overseeing practice operations and compliance

Presented By

Rochelle Ritzi, PhD Palo Alto University, Adjunct Professor

Rochelle is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, Certified First Responder Counselor, and an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas and Palo Alto University. Rochelle holds a Doctoral degree in Counseling, with a specialty in Play Therapy from the University of North Texas. There, she became a Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist Supervisor/Trainer, and a Certified Child-Parent Relationship Therapy Supervisor/Trainer. Rochelle is a Past President of the Texas Association for Play Therapy, and served on the board at the North Texas Chapter of TAPT. She has published in the field, as well as travels nationally and internationally supporting play therapy and clinical research, Rochelle is a co-owner/founder of Bright Spot Counseling Center in Richardson, Texas, where she works with individuals and groups of all ages. She also enjoys being involved in the Deaf/Hard of Hearing culture and is fluent in ASL.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Rochelle Ritzi, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Introduction

  • Defining Scope of Practice and Professional Focus (formerly “Niche”)

  • Business Planning & Legal / Administrative Foundations

  • Setting Up Practice Logistics & Operations

  • Ethical Advertising, Referrals, and Professional Representation

  • Common Professional Pitfalls and Risk Mitigation

  • Conclusion

Live Event Policy

Registration for our live events is covered for one (1) person per purchase. If you would like to purchase for a group, please contact our group training team.

  • Event Communications

    When registering, use an email that is active and that you check regularly. We are not responsible for communications not being received; if you do not add [email protected] to your email safe sender list, our emails are likely to end up in your spam or junk folders.

  • Cancellation Policy

    This is a live program only and will not be made available on-demand. If you are unable to attend live please contact customer service 48 hours before the live event to request a refund.

  • Event Conduct

    Professional conduct is expected during our live programs. Our goal is to make our events as interactive as possible for all participants. We reserve the right to remove any participants who are disruptive, act unprofessionally, or who we are unable to verify their purchase.

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship/ provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.