June 27, 2025
How can I start my own business online as a mental health professional? It’s a question a lot of people ask when they’re ready to build a practice that offers more freedom, flexibility, and balance.
But here’s the thing: most therapists have no idea how different running an online practice is from in-person work.
If you skip the foundational steps, you’ll waste time, money, and momentum. Let’s make sure you don’t.
So if you’ve ever asked, how can I start my own business online? — this is where you want to start
Becoming a Virtual Therapist: The Flight Analogy
Becoming a virtual therapist is like going from being a passenger on a commercial flight to flying your own plane.
Suddenly, you’re the one handling the tech, the systems, the marketing, and the flow. It’s not just about choosing a video platform and hitting “start.”
Let’s paint the picture:
Imagine a split screen. On the left side, there’s a calm therapy office — a soft chair, a cozy lamp, a notebook on the table. On the right side, there’s a cockpit full of buttons, switches, and screens.
Most therapists think going virtual is as simple as picking a video platform. But in reality, the entire business model shifts.
And if you don’t prepare for that shift, you’ll crash before you ever take off.
The Step-by-Step Breakdown: How Can I Start My Own Business Online?
1. Legal Foundations First: Protect Yourself and Your Practice
Before you even think about seeing your first virtual client, you have to get the legal stuff in place.
Here’s what you need:
- Check licensing requirements for your state by going to your state department of revenue and Secretary of state websites. These websites will provide you with information about what is required to start your business in your state.
- You also want to obtain professional liability insurance, and be sure that it include coverage for seeing clients online
- Use HIPAA-compliant platforms where you are required to sign a BAA – Business Associate agreement to ensure HIPAA compliancy.
Important reminder: Skipping this step isn’t just risky — it could cost you your license or your entire business.
2. Choosing the Right Technology Stack
Your tech is now your office. It needs to work every single time.
Here’s what you need to set up:
- You’ll need strong WiFi, an clear webcam, and a quality audio
- Shop EHR systems that provide multiple applications, such as video conferencing, payment collecting, insurance billing, and client portal for communication.
- Set up practice management tools — for billing, notes, scheduling
- Create an online system that is simple for clients to complete your Practice Documents.
Treat your tech stack like your new office — it should feel smooth, client-ready, and easy to use.
3. Designing Your Online Presence (Website or Profile)
- A clean, simple website that includes a home page, about me page, your service page or pages, a page to describe your fees and lastly your contact page
- a polished directory profile.
- Use professional photos. Now remember your phone most likely has a great camera. You don’t have to hire a photographer to obtain professional photos. Simply use your phone or computer camera to take a professional photo.
- Learn about how to use your website’s SEO – search engine optimization, by reading or watching their tutorials.
4. Marketing That Attracts Ideal Clients
- Build a referral network: Create a referral relationship with other mental health providers whose ideal clients are adjacent to yours.
For example if your ideal clients are women working through postpartum depression, you may want to reach out to couple counselors who specialize working with new parents
- Create a stellar content for our online profile: understand who your ideal clients are and build your profiles around how you can help support them in their goals.
- Consider applying to be on one or 2 insurance panels. Insurance provides build in marketing, since members can simply go to their insurance company website and search for providers within their online directory – giving you more online visibility
5. Managing Your Practice Like a Pro
- Use scheduling tools — and build in buffer time.
Consider scheduling every other client on the ½ hour to make sure you give yourself time for bathroom and water breaks.
- Set clear hours and communication rules
Be clear with clients on what is expected around communication, when you & how you are available, and what your cancelation policy is.
- Plan for tech issues, emergency procedures. Have a second video conferencing platform as your back up.
Many platforms provide free options, so you don’t have to purchase another application. Simply find a platform that fits your needs and be sure to inform your clients of your back up procedure if you run into technical issues.
6. Qualifying Clients for Telehealth
- Know when to refer out — due to tech access or clinical reasons.
Not all clients are suitable to meet online. It’s your responsibility to know when a client needs a different form of intervention.
- Confirm the client’s location. You are required to ensure your client is in the state you are licensed to provide mental health services.
If a client comes online and says they forgot to tell you they were going on vacation in a different state, but didn’t want to miss the session. You may be required to end the session and meet again when the client returns to their home state.
- Verify ID and check that they know how to reach emergency services.
You are required to ensure you are meeting with the person they say they are. Therefore you should be keeping record of your client’s ID in your HIPAA compliant EHR system. This also ensures that you aren’t mistakenly committing insurance fraud.
7. The Long-Term Vision: Build for Growth
- Add groups or workshops to build different streams of services.
- Automate systems to protect your time and energy.
Such as if you notice you have written a very similar email 3 times, on the 3rd time turn it into an email template. The chances are that you will need to write it again. This way you’re not starting from scratch.
- Document processes to make your business scalable and repeatable.
Write down in bullet form your process to complete different tasks, this will help to train staff or vendors when you are ready to hire support.
Final Thoughts: How Can I Start My Own Business Online?
So, how can I start my own business online as a therapist or mental health professional? It starts with a solid legal foundation, the right tech, a clear online presence, marketing that fits your energy, systems to manage your practice, and a long-term vision that lets you grow without burning out.
Building an online therapy business is doable — but only if you take the time to set it up the right way.
The Next Step
Now you know how to set up and run an online mental health business… but before you hang your open sign, there’s one more thing you absolutely need to do first.
If you skip this, all the tools and tech in the world won’t help you.
Click over to read our blog titled “What Do I Need to Know Before Starting a Mental Health Business?” That’s where I walk you through the big-picture mindset, business planning steps, and ethical considerations you’ll want to get clear on before you take your first virtual client.
