Meet Your Strategic Partner

Alison Maratos

MSW, RSW, ACC & Owner of a Successful Group Practice in Ontario, Owner of The Practice Companion

Who I Work With

Helping Canadian Therapists Turn Overwhelm into Opportunity.

Alison Maratos is a Registered Social Worker in Ontario with more than 30 years of experience as a therapist, group practice owner, and educator. She brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and practical systems thinking to the work she does with clinicians and group practice teams.

Three women smiling and laughing together against a white wall, with one woman touching another woman's shoulder.

A Commitment to Ethical Practice

Alison has a special interest in supporting both clinicians and administrative staff to practice ethically and with confidence. She provides tailored training for administrative teams within group practices, and works with contractors to strengthen their documentation skills, navigate difficult situations and the confidence to manage the business side of private practice without compromising therapeutic rapport.

Her approach is grounded, clear, and practical—helping teams feel equipped rather than overwhelmed. She breakes down concepts and encourages therapists to lean into the parts of private practice they have found challenging authentically and in a way that improves client outcomes and the financial bottom line.

Supporting Our Group Practice Owner Community

Co-facilitating Group Practice Connection and Ambition Alliance calls
Creating resources, templates and workshops to help you succeed as a CEO
Teaching and supporting at retreats
Optimizing and supporting your practice and team with best practice workshops for contractors and administrative staff
Available to operate as a Fractional Clinical Director as you grow your practice and leadership team

Alison’s expertise and presence align closely with our values of collaboration, excellence, and sustainability. She understands the importance of creating strong systems that allow practice owners and their teams to focus on what matters most: serving clients well and caring for themselves along the way.

Support for Canadian group practice owners

Frequently Asked Questions

• Frequently Asked Questions •

In addition to her clinical and consulting work, Alison teaches at Wilfrid Laurier University, guiding new professionals as they take their first steps into private practice. She is also the founder of her own group practice, which gives her direct insight into both the challenges and the opportunities practice owners face.

Alison gets both the clinical and the admin sides of practice, because she’s lived and (mostly) loved both. She’s helped group practices build clarity around legal, ethical, and client-care protocols—especially around the stuff therapists love to hate (think documentation and admin). Her workshops leave Associates and team members feeling inspired, accountable and entertained. Regardless of the topic of discussion, Alison is committed making sure those she is working with are equipped to show up boldly, authentically and with the sensitivity to simultaneously run a business while preserving peer and therapeutic relationships.
I love helping my fellow group practice owners embrace their personal leadership style and build a practice that is uniquely theirs. My knowledge comes from my experiences both as a GPO and in community agencies. I have taken the best of both environments to help you develop systems, accountability and cohesion on your team.
Just because I have seen alot, doesn’t mean I am an expert. Because I never want to stop learning, I love the fact that I get to:
- learn from you
- find answers to the questions you have
- learn from other professionals who support us and our businesses
I am here to give you the heads up about potential bumps in the road. My goal is to help you gain confidence as you become comfortable as you develop the resiliency as a GPO. My passion for getting it right can lead me down a bunch of rabbit holes of information in my quest to find answers to your questions so you don’t have to. This saves you time and effort while enabling you to make informed decisions that serve your unique needs.
The best part of practice building is that we’re all different and there’s no right or wrong way to build a group that works for you. Maybe you want a multi-disciplinary clinic. Or you want to have five therapists whose niche is children. Or maybe you just want to have one other person on board who does therapy the same way that you do. Regardless, I love helping you clarify and build upon your vision.
- I am a proud boy and Bernedoodle mom who loves all things sports.
- I am a self-described “ADHDer with shiny object syndrome,” striving to channel all that creative energy toward meaningful systems and support for therapists.

"It has been a dream to open a group practice and after finally feeling like the right time had come."

“I was so relieved to have found Ambition Alliance. My expectations of the course far surpassed the standard 'how to's' and 'checklists' I have come across prior. The course information, resources, support and guidance allowed me to really bring my dream to life and my group practice in motion. I truly feel I am on the road to success! Moreover, Lisa's authenticity and compassion conveyed in her teachings really provided a safe, non-judgemental space for questions, and encourage a personal group practice journey for each of the therapists."
- Lucinda Bibbs, South Okanagan Counselling
"In talking with Lisa I felt less alone and unprepared as a new business owner."

“I felt heard and validated as I talked about my frustrations. Lisa was a very gentle and practical person and helped my look critically at my website and had a wealth of good suggestions. It felt like Lisa believed in me despite my own irrational fear and hesitation."
- Joanna Copeland-Butt, Wise and Kind Counselling
"None of this is taught in graduate school."

“Lisa put together a very engaging course for Canadian practitioners and shared her wealth of knowledge through her own experience of running a group practice and learning from the business resources that are out there. I have e a lot more confidence and and sense of what is involved in growing a group practice."
- Rachael Frankford, New Pathways Therapy
"Working with Lisa really helped me to gain the confidence to actually open a group practice."

It offered me some clarity about what I was taking on, and the steps I needed to take to move forward. It also connected me with some community!"
- Sarah Pullman, Mind Body Counselling
“I have used a few coaches in the past and by far Lisa was a better fit.”

“She knows what she is doing, and has brought perspectives that I had not even considered. She holds me accountable in a safe and respectful but effective way. She challenged my status quo and has pushed me out of my comfort zone into huge growth. I am very thankful for the continued support to help me reach my professional goals.”
- Tara M, Sea to Tree Health & Wellness Centre, Sooke, BC