The LIT Journey: A practical and flexible guide for location independent therapists
Whether you’re just getting started or have been an online therapist for years, navigating the business side of therapy can be challenging. There’s a lot to figure out, from legal considerations to marketing, systems, and the bigger picture of what kind of life and work you actually want.
That’s why we developed the LIT Journey to help mental health professionals build and grow sustainable, location independent businesses.
What is the LIT Journey?
The LIT Journey is our in-depth guide to starting and growing a location independent therapy business. The full guide is available to our members inside the LIT Community.
However, this framework is useful for all mental health professionals working for themselves, so we wanted to walk you through it. It’s helpful for determining which stage you’re at in your business, identifying what you’re already doing well, and pinpointing what you need to focus on next.
The LIT Journey is made up of six stages, or areas of focus, that are relevant to any location independent business owner.
But it’s not a strict formula or one-size-fits-all course. Instead, you can think of it as a structure to help you create your ideal business, one that feels aligned and helps you move towards your goals, no matter what stage you’re at.
We designed this framework with our LIT Community members in mind – most of whom are starting or growing a fully private-pay, location independent practice that supports clients across borders. But even if your business looks a little different, you’ll find plenty here that can help you reflect on where you are now, get clear on what’s next, and make progress in a way that works for you.
The LIT Journey: A Cyclical Framework
Most importantly, building an online practice isn’t a linear process.
And because of this, the LIT Journey isn’t a one-and-done checklist. Most of us will cycle through these stages again and again as our business (and life) evolves.
- For example, you might decide to revisit your niche or your ideal client if you feel like you’d like to pivot your focus
- It might be time to upgrade your systems if you want to streamline or outsource some tasks.
- Your money mindset might be your next focus if you haven’t raised your prices in years.
- Or you might need to revisit your business mindset if you notice imposter syndrome creeping in.
That’s all part of the journey.
Your business won’t stay the same forever. And so, the LIT Journey framework is designed to support you throughout the ongoing process of building, refining, and scaling your practice, wherever you are in your life and work.
Why we created the LIT Journey
As mental health professionals, we are highly educated and equipped to help others, but few of us have received any formal business training at all.
While we’ve learned how to support clients through uncertainty, change, and transformation, applying those same tools to our own professional lives can feel overwhelming.
We’ve seen so many therapists struggling to figure everything out from scratch – and we’ve been there ourselves, too. It’s what led us to create the LIT Community, so others like us wouldn’t have to go it alone, but instead have a community of like-minded colleagues they could turn to for advice, guidance, and a different perspective.
Since starting the LIT Community in 2020, we have amassed a huge amount of knowledge and resources to help therapists build sustainable and successful location independent practices. But we wanted to make this information more easily accessible, so we compiled it all in our guide, the LIT Journey, which is divided into the six key stages defined below.
If you’d like access to the full LIT Journey guide, join us inside the LIT Community – start your 1-week free trial here!
Whether you’re newly qualified, transitioning from in-person to online therapy, or are ready to grow and scale your business, this framework can help you navigate each stage with more clarity and confidence.
The Six Stages of the LIT Journey
Here’s a closer look at the six core stages of the LIT Journey and how each one can support you, no matter where you are right now in your business.
1. Business Mindset
Many therapists and coaches struggle initially to view themselves as business owners, as few of us received any formal business training. So it can feel uncomfortable to set your fees, figure out marketing, or think about visibility when you were trained to stay in the background.
But embracing your role as a business owner is key to creating a practice that’s both sustainable and ethical.
💡 Practical tips:
- Get clarity on your “WHY” for running your own business – this will motivate you even through the most challenging times.
- Define your short and long-term goals for your business: Where do you want to be in 1, 5, and 10 years’ time?
- Set aside time for regular business check-ins. A monthly or quarterly review helps you track what’s working and where you need support.
- Notice where you feel resistance – e.g., around money, pricing, marketing, or visibility – and ask what stories might be behind that.
- Explore your money mindset: How do you feel about earning more? What would financial stability allow you to do for yourself or others?
📖 Helpful resources for this stage:
- Your 5-Year Vision: Why It’s Essential for Therapists with Online Practices
- How (& Why) to Develop a Business Mindset as a Therapist
- How Imposter Syndrome Shows Up for Therapists (& What To Do When It Does!)
2. The Core of Your Business
While developing your business mindset is definitely at the core of all our LIT journeys, figuring out WHAT exactly we want to offer to our clients and WHO those clients are is also just as important.
You might feel tempted to jump right ahead to the marketing aspect. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that there’s no point in launching into your marketing if you don’t really know what you’re selling and who exactly you want to sell it to. Clarifying the ‘what’ and the ‘who’ will help you save so much time and help you be more strategic with your marketing efforts.
But this stage is about more than just picking a niche. It’s about defining the heart of your business. What do you actually want to offer? Who energises you to work with? What values shape the way you practice?
This clarity helps you avoid burnout and attract ideal clients you feel excited to work with.
💡 Practical tips:
- Write a “dream day” scenario: what would your work look like if it were aligned with your energy, values, and location?
- Reflect on your past clients and identify the themes, challenges, or qualities that made those sessions fulfilling.
- Don’t get stuck on finding the “perfect” niche. Focus instead on what you can offer with real depth and presence.
- Clarify exactly who your ideal client is by creating a client avatar – the more you know about them, the better.
📖 Helpful resources for this stage:
- How to Identify Your Ideal Client as a Location Independent Therapist
- Starting a Paid Online Community as a Therapist: Yes or No?
- Adding Coaching to Your Therapy Practice – What You Need to Know
3. Systems and Processes
Without systems, your business can quickly become chaotic or draining. But “systems” don’t have to mean expensive tools or tech. Often, it’s about consistency and clarity.
Good systems protect your time, reduce decision fatigue, and enable you to focus on what you do best: supporting your clients.
💡 Practical tips:
- Use a scheduling tool that includes time zone conversion if you’re working internationally (like Calendly or Acuity).
- Have a clear intake process: What happens after someone contacts you? How do they book? What do they receive before the first session?
- Set up simple templates for invoices, emails, and session notes to save time each week.
📖 Helpful resources for this stage:
- How to Choose the Best Project Management Tool to Streamline Your Business
- From First Contact to First Session: Your Client’s Journey and the Systems You Need
- 10 Helpful Tools for Location Independent Therapists
4. Marketing
Marketing can seem scary at first, but at its simplest, it’s just getting the news out there to potential clients about who you are, what you offer and why your approach may be the right fit for them.
It can happen in many different ways – you need to figure out how you want to market your business. You don’t have to be on every platform or post every day.
The goal isn’t visibility for visibility’s sake. Instead, it’s to reach the people who need your support in a way that feels authentic and manageable for you.
💡Practical tips:
- Start with one core platform and do it well.
- Make sure you know who your ideal client is – it’s the foundation for all your marketing.
- Choose formats that suit your energy, whether that’s writing, audio, online events, in-person networking, or referrals from colleagues.
- Write from the heart: What are your clients struggling with? What do they need to hear?
📖 Helpful resources for this stage:
- How to Create a Marketing Strategy For Your Business
- How To Choose the Best Marketing Channels For Your Therapy Business
- 90-Day SEO Plan For Mental Health Professionals
5. Working Internationally
When you work internationally, things can feel complicated at times – especially if you’re qualified in one country, living in another, and serving clients worldwide. Titles, insurance, and scope of practice vary by location, and cultural differences add another layer of complexity.
Building a location-independent therapy business means your work can travel with you – but that doesn’t mean it’s always simple. Whether you’re moving between countries, working remotely from a new location, or living abroad long-term, there are practical and ethical considerations to keep in mind.
From navigating different time zones and internet reliability, to dealing with shifting routines and cultural norms, working while traveling brings both freedom and complexity. You’ll also need to be mindful of legal and professional requirements that vary from one country to another, especially if you’re supporting clients across borders.
At the same time, working with an international audience can be deeply rewarding. It invites you to become more culturally aware, flexible in your approach, and intentional about how you communicate and connect.
💡 Practical tips:
- Use tools like World Time Buddy or Calendly to make scheduling across time zones easier.
- Choose cloud-based systems (like Google Workspace or SimplePractice) so you can work securely from anywhere.
- Plan for buffer days around travel to give yourself space to rest, settle in, or catch up.
- Try different travel rhythms, like slow travel or workcations, to figure out what best supports your energy and workflow.
- Stay connected through online supervision, business meetups, or communities like LIT to reduce isolation.
📖 Helpful resources for this stage:
- How to Maintain Client Privacy As a Location Independent Therapist
- 6 Digital Nomad Tips for (Aspiring) Location Independent Therapists
- How to Navigate Laws and Regulations as a Location Independent Therapist
6. Scaling and Diversifying
Scaling doesn’t have to mean doing more. Often, it means doing things differently: refining your offers, shifting your focus, or exploring new ways to support clients that better align with your energy and values.
For some therapists, this looks like launching a group program, writing a resource, or creating passive income streams. For others, it might mean hiring a virtual assistant, collaborating with peers, or offering supervision or consultation alongside client work.
This stage is about expanding your impact while protecting your time and well-being. Growth can be exciting, but it works best when it’s intentional and aligned with the life you want.
💡Practical tips:
- Create a “business wishlist.” What would you love to do next? What feels exciting (and possible)?
- Consider different formats, such as group programs, workshops, digital products, or passive income options.
- Pause to ask: What kind of business do I want in this next season of life?
📖 Helpful resources for this stage:
- Is Starting a Group Practice Right For You?
- How to Work with a Business Partner (Successfully!)
- Outsourcing as an Online Therapist: Hiring a Virtual Assistant vs. an Online Business Manager
Final Thoughts: A Journey, Not a Checklist
The LIT Journey isn’t a checklist you work through once and complete. It’s a cyclical, evolving process. As your business develops, your location shifts, or your circumstances change, you’ll revisit different stages with fresh questions and new clarity.
Whether you’re just getting started or ready for your next stage of growth, the LIT Journey offers a flexible framework to help you move forward with more intention and less overwhelm.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into any of these areas, the full LIT Journey guide is available to members inside the LIT Community.
It brings together the knowledge, tools, and templates we’ve developed over the past five years, along with recordings from Q&As, workshops, and themed events. And it’s a living resource, continuously updated and shaped by the real questions and needs of our members.
Whether you’re building from scratch or preparing to scale, the LIT Journey helps you move forward with clarity, intention, and the support of a global therapist community behind you.
Which stage are you at in your business, and what do you plan to focus on next? Share with us in the comments below!
Want more guidance like this?
Inside the LIT Community, you’ll also get access to:
- 💬 Peer Case Supervision to reflect on your clinical work across borders
- 🔧 Business Meetups covering practical topics – from choosing tools to setting fees
- 🗣️Skill sharing – learn from other members’ specialities and passions to support your client work and diversify your knowledge
- 💡 Hot Seat Coaching Sessions, where you can bring real business questions and get support from the LIT co-founders and fellow business owners
- 🎯 Monthly Themes aligned with the LIT Journey stages – giving you a focused way to keep growing your business month by month
- 🤝 A private community space to connect, collaborate, and not feel so alone in the process
If you’re ready to build or grow your location independent practice with the support of thoughtful, like-minded colleagues, interactive events, and our in-depth resources, we’d love to welcome you inside:
Join the LIT Community and start your 1-week free trial here!
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