Inspiring You To Grow Your Practice Through Insightful Interviews With Successful Practice Owners
Welcome to the first issue of our brand new blog series THRIVE talks, where we interview and feature successful practitioners from all areas of wellness with the goal of inspiring other practitioners looking to grow and elevate their practices.
We are so excited to introduce Christina Byington, a Psychotherapist and Owner of the group practice Elevation Behavioral Therapy, and a past client of ours here at Virtuwell Balance.
Christina began working in a mental health agency in 2009, where she found her true passion. After years of working in the mental health agency and a group private practice, she went on to found her own group practice, Elevation Behavioral Therapy.
Christina continues to own and run the practice, where she finds great fulfillment in providing individual therapy, as well as supporting her practice’s wonderful therapists and administrative staff.
Below is what Christina has to share about her experience launching and growing her own group practice and her advice for other practitioners looking to travel down the same path.
What inspired you to start your own practice?
"Since I was 13 years old, I knew I wanted to become a clinical therapist and, one day, start my own practice. It was truly my lifelong dream. I was fortunate to work with a couple of incredible therapists, and they inspired me to be that same person for others. Once you know where you want to go, the rest becomes easier. I had a clear path and was able to follow it through."
Can you describe a pivotal moment or decision that significantly impacted the growth of your practice?
"A key turning point was a conversation with my husband where I shared my thoughts about enrolling in an intensive business program designed to scale a solo practice into a group practice. He was very supportive and encouraged me to pursue it. At that point, I had already taken steps to grow—I had an administrative assistant and another therapist in the practice. But this program truly propelled me forward and gave me the tools to expand further."
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while scaling your practice, and how did you overcome them?
"Scaling a group practice is not for the faint of heart. I had no idea how grueling it would be. One of my life mottos is, "Anything worth doing is worth doing well," and I applied this philosophy to every aspect of the practice—our office interiors, website, marketing, and branding. Being detail-oriented meant working 80-100 hours a week for several years. The physical and mental fatigue was real. To cope, I made it a point to unplug on weekends, take regular vacations, and celebrate milestones along the way."
Christina has a beautiful office for Elevation Behavioral Therapy in a prime location in Denver, Colorado! ↓
How has your approach to patient care evolved as your practice has grown?
"As the practice expanded, I prioritized understanding what services clients needed. For example, we received many requests for child therapy, so I hired excellent child therapists. Similarly, when couples therapy became a recurring need, we brought on a licensed marriage and family therapist. By hiring exceptional professionals, we’ve ensured that our care remains top-notch and responsive to patient needs."
What marketing strategies have been most effective in attracting and retaining patients?
"A beautifully designed, well-branded website, combined with strong SEO and professionally written content, has been our most effective marketing tool in bringing in new clients."
How do you balance the business demands of your practice with your personal wellness?
"I’m intentional about unplugging from work on weekends to focus on family and personal well being. Given the long hours I often work, I also take regular time off and disconnect from work communications entirely during those periods. Exercise, particularly cardio, is my go-to stress reliever. It’s an essential outlet for maintaining balance."
What advice would you give to a health practitioner just starting out and hoping to eventually build a successful practice?
"Keep going. You’ll encounter countless roadblocks, but resilience and tenacity are what make you successful. Don’t settle for anything that doesn’t reflect the professionalism of your brand. Invest in high-quality headshots and hire professionals to build and design your website. First impressions matter, and polished, professional branding will set you apart."
What An Inspiring Interview!
Christina’s journey from a 13 year-old girl dreaming of becoming a clinical therapist to owning a successful group practice is a true testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and strategic growth.
Her insights highlight the importance of having a clear vision, embracing challenges, and investing in both personal wellness and professional advancement.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your practice, Christina’s story reminds us that success is built on a foundation of hard work, thoughtful decisions, strong marketing, and unwavering dedication to quality care.
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in our THRIVE talks series each month, as we continue to spotlight practitioners who are making a positive impact on the health and wellness industry and inspiring others to do the same :)
Shayah Reed
Virtuwell Balance Founder
Interested in applying to be featured on the THRIVE talks blog series? Or maybe there's a practitioner who has inspired you along your journey that you'd like to nominate? We'd love to hear from you - email us at virtuwellbalance@gmail.com!
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