Staying Small on Purpose: Leading a Group Practice with Clarity and Confidence with Michelle Waters

What does it really mean to be a group practice owner when your practice is small, or when you intentionally choose not to grow? In this episode, Lisa sits down with Michelle Waters of Pacific Waters Counselling to talk honestly about the realities of owning a small group practice, navigating contractors coming and going, and making grounded leadership decisions that align with your energy, values, and ideal client. This conversation explores identity, imposter syndrome, burnout, and the quiet confidence that comes from knowing what you do and do not want as a leader. **What You’ll Hear:** - What it’s actually like to run a small group practice, including the emotional and logistical learning curves - How contractor turnover can impact confidence, energy, and leadership identity - Why having one contractor still makes you a group practice owner - The role of clarity around brand, ideal client, and scope of practice - Making values-aligned decisions, even when good candidates come along - Letting go of growth for growth’s sake and choosing sustainability instead **Resources Mentioned on this Episode** **- Ambition Alliance** which is now Group Practice Launchpad with Lisa Catallo \- Pacific Waters Counselling \- Trauma-focused modalities including Lifespan Integration, Somatic Experiencing, and EMDR **Featured Guest:** Michelle Waters is a trauma therapist and owner of Pacific Waters Counselling in Surrey, BC. She specializes in DID and eating disorders. She gets curious about how people connect both internally and externally and what holds them back. **Connect with Michelle:** Website: https://www.pacificwaterscounselling.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pacificwaterscounselling/ **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