Scraping by on Humidity: Why Group Practice Owners Deserve Real Nourishment

When I was in Greece last week, we made the trek out to Santorini. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to see, with its whitewashed buildings and bright blue domes. And yes—it was every bit as breathtaking as the postcards.

But here’s something I hadn’t expected to learn: Santorini has no natural underground water. Rain only falls about 65 days a year. That means the people who live there have had to get incredibly creative with how they conserve and use every drop of water.

We saw buckets outside homes to collect moisture from the air and rain when it happens. Bathrooms were pay-to-use to encourage conservation. Even the crops—the famous Santorini tomatoes and grapes—have adapted. They grow close to the ground, fed by humidity rather than irrigation. They’re small, but they’re said to be sweeter than produce grown elsewhere.

And that got me thinking about group practice ownership.

Running on Humidity

Too many group practice owners I talk to feel like they’re scraping by on “humidity.” They’re holding everything together with sheer determination but never feel fully nourished or resourced.

Does this sound familiar?

• You didn’t get any formal training in running a business, and now you feel like you’re making it up as you go.

• The numbers intimidate you—spreadsheets, cashflow, payroll. You know you should be paying more attention, but every time you sit down to look, it feels overwhelming.

• You’ve tried to reach out for support before, but sometimes other practice owners seem protective of their “ways.” Instead of collaboration, it feels like competition.

It’s exhausting. And even though your practice might look “successful” on the outside, inside you feel like you’re cobbling things together, just trying to survive another season.

Why It Feels So Lonely

Being a therapist doesn’t automatically prepare us to be business owners. Most of us didn’t get courses on leadership, bookkeeping, or payroll systems in grad school. So when you step into ownership, you’re suddenly asked to navigate legal obligations, cashflow forecasting, and managing a team—on top of providing excellent clinical care.

And here’s the kicker: therapy culture doesn’t always encourage asking for business help. Many therapists are comfortable consulting on clinical cases but hesitant to admit they don’t understand their financial reports. Numbers can feel shame-inducing. And when you do ask for help, sometimes the response from peers feels closed off, like you’re intruding on “trade secrets.”

That sense of isolation can leave you wondering: Am I the only one struggling with this?

The answer is no—you’re not the only one. You’re just trying to grow tomatoes in the desert without enough water.

What’s Possible Instead

Yes, Santorini’s crops are small. But they’re also intensely flavourful because of how they’ve adapted.

And you? You don’t have to stay small. You don’t have to rely only on humidity. You can learn how to access a steady supply of water—support, systems, and strategies—that allows you to grow a practice that’s not just sweet but strong, sustainable, and deeply nourishing.

Imagine what it would feel like to:

• Understand your numbers clearly enough to make confident financial decisions.

• Have systems that keep your practice running smoothly, so you don’t have to carry everything in your head.

• Be part of a group practice owner community where people share openly, rather than guard their methods.

• Lead with confidence, knowing you’re supported and no longer doing this alone.

That’s not a fantasy. That’s what happens when you stop scraping by and start seeking nourishment.

Where to Find Nourishment

So how do you “water” your business and yourself as a group practice owner? Here are three places to start:

1. Get a coach or mentor

Business coaching for therapists can be game-changing. A coach understands the unique world of private practice ownership, helps you face the numbers without shame, and guides you to create systems that actually fit your needs. Coaching isn’t about giving you cookie-cutter solutions—it’s about tailoring strategies to your specific goals and cheering you on as you grow.

2. Connect with colleagues who “get it”

There’s something powerful about talking to other practice owners who understand the unique stress of managing associates, payroll, and clinical standards all at once. That’s why I created the Group Practice Owners Network Facebook group (free) and the Group Practice Connection (a paid membership). These spaces are designed so you can ask questions, share experiences, and feel seen—without the gatekeeping that sometimes shows up elsewhere.

3. Join broader small business communities

Sometimes stepping outside the therapy bubble helps. Learning from entrepreneurs in other industries can spark creative solutions and normalize the ups and downs of business ownership. Whether online or in-person, these spaces can be an additional source of “water” for your growth.

How I Can Help

If you’re looking for group practice support that feels practical and safe, that’s exactly what I offer. I’ve built and sold two group practices, including one with two locations and a team of 20 therapists. I know firsthand the pressure, the overwhelm, and the weight of responsibility.

Now, my focus is on helping Canadian group practice owners:

• Understand and manage their finances with confidence.

• Develop efficient systems that save time and reduce stress.

• Step fully into their role as CEO, with clarity and purpose.

• Find community and connection, so they no longer feel alone.

Whether it’s through one-on-one coaching for Canadian therapists or through the Group Practice Connection membership, my goal is simple: to make sure you don’t have to scrape by on humidity.

A Final Thought

You became a therapist to help people. You became a group practice owner because you wanted to expand that impact. But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer in silence or carry the weight of your business alone.

Santorini has learned to survive with only humidity and a few buckets of rain. But you don’t have to run your practice that way. There is water available. There is support available. And with the right nourishment, your practice can grow in ways you may not have thought possible.

👉 If you’re a Canadian group practice owner looking for business coaching, help with group practice finances, and a supportive group practice owner community, consider this your invitation. You don’t have to do this alone. Explore the Group Practice Connection or reach out to me directly for coaching—and let’s make sure your practice thrives, not just survives.