Starting the New Year with Clear Goals: A Blueprint for Success

As we approach the new year, it’s the perfect time to sit down and set clear, actionable goals for your practice. For me, this isn’t just about dreaming big—it’s about creating a roadmap that connects every aspect of the business, from financial targets to individual team contributions.

Here’s how I break it all down:

1. Start with Clear Financial Goals

Everything begins with the numbers. Setting clear financial goals gives you a solid target to aim for. Ask yourself:

• What revenue do we need to generate this year?
• What expenses do we need to cover, and how much do we want to save or reinvest?
• What’s our desired profit margin?

For example, if your goal is $1 million in annual revenue with a 30% profit margin, you can work backward to figure out what it will take to get there.

2. Break Financial Goals into Session Goals

Once you have your financial goals, the next step is to determine how many sessions your practice needs to deliver to meet that target. This involves:

• Calculating the average revenue per session.
• Dividing your total revenue goal by the average session rate.

For example: If you need $1 million in revenue and your average session generates $100, you’ll need 10,000 sessions for the year.

3. Translate Sessions into Therapist Goals

With your session goals in hand, figure out how many therapists you’ll need to meet that demand.

• Consider the average weekly caseload for your current clinicians.
• Account for productivity rates (e.g., 70-80% utilization).
• Factor in any expected turnover or time off.

For instance: If each therapist averages 20 sessions per week, you’d need about 10 full-time therapists to hit 10,000 sessions in a year.

This calculation also helps you identify gaps—if you’re short on clinicians, it’s time to develop hiring goals.

4. Set Hiring Goals

Knowing how many therapists you need to meet your session goals informs your hiring strategy.

• How many new hires are required?
• What specialties or skill sets do you need to add?
• What’s your timeline for onboarding them?

Breaking this into monthly or quarterly hiring targets keeps the process manageable and ensures you stay on track.

5. Create Department Goals

Every department plays a role in achieving the practice’s overall success. It’s important to set clear, measurable goals for each team:

• Admin Team: Goals might include improving client care response times, streamlining onboarding processes, or increasing billing efficiency.
• Marketing Team: Goals could focus on client acquisition, community outreach, or boosting referral sources.
• Clinical Team: Therapists’ goals might center on productivity, client retention, or professional development.

6. Ensure Everyone Has Measurable Individual Goals

Once department goals are set, break them down into measurable objectives for each person.

• Use KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to track progress.
• Make sure each team member knows what’s expected of them and how their work ties into the practice’s larger goals.
• Schedule regular check-ins to review progress and make adjustments as needed.

For example: An admin staff member might have a goal of maintaining a 95% client call response rate, while a therapist might aim for a consistent 75% utilization rate.

7. Align Goals with Your Vision

Goals aren’t just numbers—they should align with your practice’s mission and values. Take time to reflect on your “why” and ensure that every target you set moves you closer to the bigger picture you’re building for your practice and your team.

Final Thoughts

Going into the new year with clear goals isn’t just about having a plan—it’s about creating clarity and alignment across your entire practice. By breaking your financial goals down into session goals, hiring needs, and individual responsibilities, you’ll set yourself and your team up for a focused and successful year.

Here’s to making 2025 the year your practice reaches new heights!

Warmly,
Kasey