Insurance Companies Aren’t Setting Your Worth—You Are At some point, every PMHNP building a practice runs into this: It’s not launching your practice. It's not getting your first patient. It’s sitting there… staring at an insurance fee schedule thinking: “Is this really what I’m worth?” And feeling like you’re supposed to just accept it. I remember that moment clearly. Because most of us were trained to follow systems… not question them. But here’s what changes everything: You are not asking for a favor. You are solving a problem. There’s a massive shortage of mental health providers. Patients are waiting months to be seen. Insurance companies NEED you to meet network demand. That shift alone changes the entire conversation. Now negotiation isn’t about “hoping they say yes. ”It’s about clearly defining your value. Here’s what actually moves the needle: Know your numbersCompare your rates to Medicare (commercial should be higher) Know your value Short wait times Telehealth access Specialized care Reduced hospitalizations Know your ask Don’t say “more” Ask for a specific increase or rate adjustment And when they say no (because sometimes they will)… That’s not the end. That’s the start of the conversation. Ask when contracts are reviewed Ask what metrics they need Follow up The providers who get increases aren’t always the “best”… They’re the ones who advocate. This isn’t just about money. It’s about building a practice that: Supports you Supports your patients And doesn’t burn you out in the process And this is just one part of the process. Negotiating insurance is important… but it’s only one of many things you’ll need to navigate as you build your practice the right way. That’s exactly why I created Thrive NP Academy Application-only mentorship A full step-by-step business roadmap Ongoing support and accountability This isn’t about guessing your way through it. It’s about building it correctly from the beginning—and having the guidance to keep moving forward with confidence.

If you’re a PMHNP still working for someone else—but want your own practice—this is probably what’s happening… You’re stuck between: - Wanting freedom - But not knowing where to start So you stay in “research mode.” And research mode isn't going to get you any closer to building your own private practice. What is the biggest thing holding you back right now? Ideally, what would you want your practice to look like in 1 year? in 2 years? I’ll help you figure out your next step. All you have to do is direct message here on Skool. YOUR FUTURE PRACTICE IS WAITING FOR YOU!

The Part No One Talks About When You’re Starting There’s a moment most people don’t talk about… Not when you launch your practice. Not when you get your first patient. It’s the moment before all of that— when you start questioning if you can actually do this. That voice shows up: “What if I fail?” “Who do you think you are?” If you’ve felt that, you’re not off track… you’re right where most of us started. What I’ve realized over time: That fear isn’t a red flag. It's actually a sign you care. You understand the responsibility. You want to do it well. You don’t take this lightly. And that’s exactly what makes you a strong provider. Confidence doesn’t come first. Action does. You build confidence by taking steps while the doubt is still there. A few things that helped me in the early stages: • Writing down clinical wins (on the hard days, this matters more than you think) • Getting around other PMHNPs doing this (changes everything) • Using systems/tech so I wasn’t drowning in admin • Rewriting the “I’m just a nurse” narrative This transition isn’t just about starting a practice… It’s about stepping into a different version of yourself. And yeah—it’s uncomfortable at first. But that discomfort? That’s growth. Curious—where are you at right now? Thinking about starting? Already in it but feeling stuck? Or just trying to build confidence? Drop it below 👇 The Thrive Academy Application www.ThePsychNPConsultant.com alewis@lewisfamilypsych.com

Working in a system that rushes patients Feeling like you’re not doing your best work Thinking about private practice… but not knowing where to start So you keep researching Saving posts Waiting for the “right time” And nothing actually changes. Here’s what most people won’t tell you: Starting a private practice isn’t about having more information. It's about having a clear path and someone to walk you through it. If you’re serious about building your own practice in the next 90 days: Apply for Thrive NP Academy https://form.typeform.com/to/F5OUazUZ Inside, I help PMHNPs go from idea to fully operational practice With structure With clarity And without doing it alone Or message me here if you want help figuring out your next step. You can also reach me at: alewis@lewisfamilypsych.com www.ThePsychNPConsultant.com

Are you trying to: ...Finally get started ...Figure out legal setup ...Get your first patient ...Still unsure where to begin Comment below ⬇️