Katie McLean: Combining Two Master's Degrees Into One Practice | Ep 202

Some doors close so that others can open: when Katie didn't get accepted into the original Master's Education in Counselling program she wanted, it was disappointing.

However, she ended up following another piece of her passion, teaching, and got her Master's in Teaching and Education. Then, once she had graduated, she combined that degree with her second Master's in Counselling Psychology, creating the degree she was initially looking for!

Today, Katie runs her fully booked private practice where she combines her passion for teaching and psychology into one. Join us today as we discuss how she opened her practice, strategically marketed it with networking to become full, and built community to support her goals.

MEET KATIE

Katie is a Registered Provisional Psychologist in Calgary with a "just do it" attitude. She launched her private practice in November 2025 and has a bustling practice focusing on ADHD, Anxiety, OCD, and perinatal care. She is also the co-host of the Happiness of the Commons Podcast.

Learn more about Katie on her private practice website, Psychology Today, Instagram accounts, and podcast.

In this episode:

• Why Katie decided to start a private practice

• Registering as a Psychologist

• Completing two Master's degrees: Teaching and Psychology

• Marketing the practice

• Why Jane App makes private practice easier

Why Katie decided to start a private practice

While Katie loved working at a group practice initially for her provisional hours, once she was qualified and certified, she wanted to open her own Canadian private practice.

Ultimately, for Katie, opening her own private practice meant two things: bringing more income home and having more freedom in her schedule.

Registering as a Psychologist

In Alberta, you can register as a psychologist with only a Master's degree: you go through a provisional period, which includes 1600 hours working under supervision with a registered psychologist.

Once Katie's hours are completed, she won't have to pay for supervision any longer. She also has her Master's in Education, so Katie explains that she'd like to teach.

Completing two Master's degrees: Teaching and Psychology

Katie has always had a passion for psychology, so she completed her undergraduate degree in psychology. While studying, she worked in student affairs for some time, which included leadership, mentorship, and event planning, and it was something she really loved.

Initially, Katie applied to complete her Master's of Education in Counselling. Unfortunately, she wasn't accepted into that course, but she was accepted into a Master's of Education in Teaching and Learning because, at that time, she was working in higher education. However, later on she was accepted to complete her Master's in Counselling Psychology.

It was back-to-back Master's degrees, and Katie took six months off of school afterwards!

Marketing the practice

Now, Katie's practice is full, and her biggest and most successful marketing strategy has been networking.

Katie puts a lot of effort into networking with therapists adjacent to her practice, because she knows that when the relationship is strong and solid, people trust and depend on each other, and can easily send referrals between practices.

Why Jane App makes private practice easier

Katie lists plenty of the reasons why she enjoys using Jane App in her private practice and encourages listeners to do the same:

• Clients can book sessions online directly, including a series of appointments a few weeks in advance

• Clients can also book many sessions in advance and can cancel one if they need to at least 24 hours before the session is due to begin

• Billing is incredibly easy

• Taxes are easy to manage

• All data is centralized in one spot

Katie's advice to listeners

Private practice is not impossible. There are challenges, but it can be done. Don't underestimate it, but you don't need to overestimate it either: with a good mentor or membership community, you can definitely open your own practice!

Connect with me:

Instagram

Website

Resources mentioned and useful links:

Sandra Karlin: From Tech to Therapist in Private Practice | EP 201

Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice

Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free)

Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free!

Learn more about Katie on her collective practice website, private practice website, Psychology Today, Instagram account, and podcast

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