Recruiting, Retaining, and Expanding in a Small Town: What Group Practice Ownership Really Looks Like with Dana Corr

Dana Corr runs a thriving group practice in a Manitoba town of fewer than 700 people, and her journey has been full of honest lessons about hiring, expansion, boundaries, and what servant leadership actually looks like when you're the one carrying the business. If you're navigating growth in a smaller community or wondering whether your needs matter as much as everyone else's, this conversation is for you. **What You’ll Hear:** - What recruiting and retaining therapists looks like when your talent pool is a small rural community, and how Dana built most of her team through practicum students - The honest cost of hiring out of generosity rather than fit, and what she would do differently - Why Dana moved from a contractor model to employees, and how that decision connects to retention, expectations, and leadership clarity - What the expansion into a five-office building taught her about marketing, caseload management, and the scarcity mindset that creeps in when the space isn't full - How servant leadership can slide into people-pleasing, and why getting clear on your own needs is part of leading well - Practical advice for anyone considering an expansion, including what financial buffers and a business development plan need to look like before you sign anything **Resources Mentioned on this Episode** \- Valley Art Therapy — Dana's practice in Manitoba \- Time + Energy Audit for Group Practice Owners \- Group Practice Connection membership **Featured Guest:** Dana Corr is a Canadian Certified Counsellor, Registered Canadian Art Therapist, and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and the owner/director of Valley Art Therapy, a group practice based in rural Manitoba. She has grown the practice from a solo caseload into a multi-location team, navigating the realities of building and leading a business in a small community. Valley Art Therapy is a trauma-focused practice grounded in healing beyond words alone, integrating approaches like art and play-based therapy, somatic work, and EMDR. The practice is committed to increasing access to care in rural communities through multiple locations and strong community partnerships, while also creating a model of care that supports clinicians in doing meaningful, sustainable work. **Connect with Dana:** @valleyarttherapy https://www.valleyarttherapy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/valleyarttherapy/ https://www.facebook.com/ValleyArtTherapy/ **Meet the Host: Lisa Catallo** Lisa is a Canadian psychotherapist, group practice owner, and business coach with over eight years of experience leading a thriving, values-driven practice. She works with therapists who are ready to step into their role as confident, ethical, and intentional leaders—without burning out or getting buried in the day-to-day. Lisa’s coaching focuses on building sustainable group practices through efficient systems, effective leadership, and a deep respect for time and energy. Her approach is calm and encouraging, offering grounded guidance that helps therapists move from overwhelm to clarity—so they can lead with confidence and purpose. Whether she’s supporting someone just starting to grow a team or helping a seasoned leader reclaim their role as CEO, Lisa brings a blend of insight, structure, and heart to everything she does. When she’s not coaching or connecting with therapists, you’ll find her hanging out with her children and grandchildren, reading, walking by the water, or dreaming up new ways to make business feel a little lighter. **Connect with the Host:** Website: www.grouppracticenetwork.ca Instagram: instagram.com/grouppracticenetwork Facebook: facebook.com/grouppracticenetwork LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-catallo **Loved this episode? Let’s take it a step further.** Grab the free **Time + Energy Audit for Group Practice Owners** to get super clear on where your time is going—and what it’s actually worth. 👉 Download it here And if you're ready for consistent support, connection, and access to done-for-you tools? Come join us inside **Group Practice Connection**—the membership designed to help Canadian group practice owners lead with clarity and confidence. ✨ You don’t have to do this alone. Check it out here **Empowered to Lead** is proud to be on the *High Vibe Podcast Network Check* out (Host Name) Gift in the Vault https://highvibepodcastnetwork.com/gifts **Share the Love** ✨ If this episode lit something up in you… tag us on Instagram @HighVibeLeaders and @grouppracticenetwork and let us know your biggest takeaway! 🦋 Don’t forget to rate & review — it helps us reach more conscious rebels like you. **Listen & Subscribe** 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🎧 Amazon Music 🎧 High Vibe Podcast Network