161. Stepping Into Leadership While Scaling A Private Practice, with Joshua Rosenthal, PsyD

In this episode of The Private Practice Elevation Podcast, Daniel Fava and Dr. Joshua Rosenthal dive deep into the transformative journey from solo practice to a thriving group enterprise. 

Dr. Rosenthal shares his pearls of wisdom on leadership, emphasizing the importance of clarity in your professional and personal goals. He advocates for creating roles that align with your passions and strengths, a strategy that has proven successful for both him and his team.

Discover how Dr. Rosenthal navigated the complexities of scaling a business, from the inception of the Big Apple Day program—a summer camp for children ages 6-12 with developmental, social and/or learning difficulties.—to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and reflection within his team of over 300.

 He candidly discusses the challenges of retention and the financial balancing act required to sustain growth.

Dr. Rosenthal also unveils his evolved leadership approach, where he focuses on growth and empowering a core leadership team, ensuring that the quality of service remains consistent across the board. This top-down approach underscores the critical role of leadership in shaping employee experiences and, by extension, customer satisfaction.

Join us in this episode as we unpack the highs and lows of growing in leadership as you step into private practice growth. Dr. Rosenthal's story is not just about the success of his practice but also about the resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking that are the hallmarks of effective leadership.

Joshua Rosenthal, PsyD, shares several key takeaways from his experience in building and managing his private practice, then a summer camp, and later, his role as a CEO. Here are the main points:

Difficulty and Opportunity: Rosenthal emphasizes that the difficulty of starting a venture is essential, as it allows for the discovery of opportunities and growth. He acknowledges that the process was hard and that he could not replicate it now, but at the time, it was the right fit.

Staff Retention and Financial Challenges: Hiring good people was only part of the challenge; retaining them as the camp grew and expenses increased became a significant issue. Despite increasing costs, there was a limit to how much the camp fees could be raised, leading to financial strain.

Leadership and Team Dynamics: Rosenthal learned about leadership, team cohesiveness, and the importance of reflecting on what works and what doesn't. This iterative process was crucial for personal growth and improving the camp each year.

Trust and Business Relationships: He discusses the importance of trust in business relationships, even though it comes with the risk of being hurt. His experiences shaped his decision-making and ultimately contributed to his success.

CEO Role Evolution: Rosenthal's role as CEO evolved from micromanaging to focusing on supporting his leadership team. He stopped seeing patients to concentrate on business growth, profitability, and new service lines. He also highlights the importance of having a leadership team that can manage different aspects of the business, allowing him to focus on growth and strategic planning.

Importance of Leadership: The CEO's mood and approach can significantly impact the entire company. Rosenthal stresses that leadership starts at the top and that the experiences customers have are a reflection of the company's leadership.

Starting with an MVP: The camp began with a minimal viable product and evolved significantly over time. Rosenthal followed an organic growth approach, letting the project develop naturally without forcing it.

Growing a caseload of clients you’re passionate about working with can help you build a career that’s both impactful and sustainable. But it’s often easier said than done — which is why our sponsor, Alma, has created a guide to help you identify and connect with clients who fit your practice.