Thinking of Expanding from Solo to Multidisciplinary? Clinic Owner Insights to Help You Decide

This question was at the heart of a Jane Ambassador Office Hours session, where clinic owners Kendall Hagensen and Katie Bell shared the lessons they learned when making the move from a solo practice to a multidisciplinary clinic.

They sat down with Ali Taylor, co-founder of Jane and former multidisciplinary clinic owner, to explore the realities of expansion — the challenges, rewards, and what they wished they had known before making the leap.

If you’re considering growing your own practice, here are six key insights that came from their conversation that will help you make a decision.

Insight #1: Recognize when it’s time to expand

Expanding a clinic isn’t a decision that happens overnight. It often begins with a feeling — a sense that you’ve reached your limit as a solo practitioner.

You’ve been managing everything on your own, but now your schedule is full, your patient list is growing, and you can’t do it all anymore. At some point, you realize that to continue to provide the quality of care you’re known for (and that your patients deserve) you need support.

For UK-based Katie, that moment came when she realized she was running herself into the ground.

“I was clinically working six days a week, as we have all done,” the clinic owner and business coach says. “I was probably on the verge of burnout, trying to be everything to everybody. But I felt like despite working incredibly hard, my impact was still quite small.”

If you’re at a similar breaking point, it might make sense to consider expansion. But before making the leap, take a moment to reflect on your motivations.

Kendall, a somatic psychotherapist, puts it best: “If you are a successful solo provider, what’s the catalyst for you to expand? And why is it so important to you?” Expanding for the sake of growth alone isn’t enough. Having a clear purpose will help guide your decisions and shape your clinic’s future.

And it’s important to note that while it might seem counterintuitive to take on more when you’re already feeling maxed out, growth doesn’t always mean working harder. It can also mean working differently.

For Katie, that shift happened when she realized that taking on a team would allow her to step away from doing everything herself. “I recognized quite quickly I wasn’t the person to do all the different parts of the running of the clinic,” she says.

Bringing in other practitioners and support staff meant she could focus on the areas where she thrived, rather than trying to manage it all alone.

Expanding to a multidisciplinary clinic creates opportunities for collaboration, efficiency, and a more sustainable way to serve your patients while maintaining balance in your practice.

Insight #2: Build a team that aligns with your vision

One of the biggest shifts when transitioning from solo practice to a multidisciplinary clinic is learning how to build and lead a team.

As a solo practitioner, you’re used to being the one who does everything. However, once you expand, you need to create an environment where multiple practitioners can work harmoniously.

Ali structured her clinic with a multidisciplinary model from the start. She shares her approach to team planning: “It was super fun. You get to sit down with people and say, ‘Tell me all about why you love this discipline.’ And then you can kind of get into the business side of how these clinics run.” Her strategy highlights how understanding and learning from diverse disciplines can lay the foundation for a collaborative team.

For Katie, hiring is key. “Sometimes it’s the wrong person in the right seat,” she says. “Whatever you do to that service, it is not going to get any better because you’ve got the wrong person in that seat.”

Rather than focus solely on qualifications, look for people who align with your clinic's values and will contribute positively to your culture.

A successful multidisciplinary clinic relies on collaboration and shared goals. When practitioners support each other, patients benefit from a holistic, well-rounded approach to care. “People can get better way faster and stay really well and healthy,” Katie says.

Insight #3: Do your research on compensation for different disciplines

Expanding a clinic brings plenty of learning curves, but being aware of the most common challenges can help you navigate them smoothly.

One of the first hurdles is compensation. Each discipline has its own unique pay structure, and figuring out a model that works for everyone takes careful planning. Ali acknowledges this challenge: “If you are a practitioner in one discipline, you know how that works in your industry, but it’s different with different disciplines.”

That’s why it’s important to do your research. Speak with practitioners in different fields to understand industry standards, and then create a compensation structure that is fair, competitive, and transparent.

Insight #4: Focus on your disciplines’ collective strengths to market your clinic successfully

Another major shift from solo to multidisciplinary? Marketing.

As a solo practitioner, you are your brand. When you add multiple disciplines, suddenly you need a strategy that markets the clinic as a whole rather than just yourself.

Katie ran into this firsthand when she expanded beyond physiotherapy and Pilates and suddenly had multiple disciplines to promote.

“I was thinking, ‘How on earth am I going to market everybody?’” she recalls. Instead of trying to market each service individually, she shifted her approach to focus on the clinic’s overall identity.

“I needed a different strategy,” she says, one that highlighted what made the clinic unique rather than just listing every treatment it offered. A strong brand identity, clear messaging, and a focus on the clinic’s collective strengths can help navigate this challenge.

Jane Team Tip 💡:

For your current patients, they’ll be curious about your expansion. This is a great time to create a marketing strategy introducing your new disciplines:

• Announce the change. Let your patients know about your clinic’s new offerings. This can be through email, social media, or even in-person during their appointments. One example: if you’re a massage therapist expanding into physiotherapy and chiropractics, you can tell your patients about the benefits of having comprehensive care when they visit next (i.e. They could get more treatment for one or other pain points/injuries).
• Reach new patients. Some clinics who have digital-savvy customers have found success with SEO (search engine optimization), social media ads, updates to your Google Business profile, to spread the word. You can also partner with local business or healthcare providers to get referrals for new services.
• Offer introductory promotions. Have a patient who might be interested in another service, but is still on the fence? Offering a discount on their first appointment can help drive traffic. Print a card to hand out personally in your appointment or at the front desk. (i.e. “First-time massage [free or discounted] with a chiropractic appointment.”)
• Teach your practitioners to refer patients. Before even mentioning a promotion, you can also encourage your current practitioners to refer their patients to other services in your clinic. By practicing deep listening and asking questions during their treatment, your practitioners will notice a natural opening to connect them to the new discipline at your clinic. (i.e. “I know during our last session you mentioned you’ve been feeling worn down by stress. Did you know that we have a naturopath now who can help boost your immune system? I’m happy to refer you to them.”)

Insight #5: Step up as a leader with clear expectations and listening skills

According to Katie, becoming a great leader “requires a whole different skill set that you might not have learned.”

Leading a team isn’t just about hiring great practitioners — it’s about fostering a positive work culture, creating efficient systems, and making sure the clinic runs smoothly, both in and out of the treatment room.

Katie emphasizes the importance of clear expectations and performance metrics, sharing that her team tracks practitioner occupancy to ensure schedules stay balanced.

Ali also highlights the value of listening to front desk staff, noting that they often have the best insight into patient experiences and team dynamics. “Your admin team is like your best data source ever,” she said. “They’ll tell you why someone’s not getting rebooked and who the best therapists are.”

Small changes — like setting team goals, optimizing schedules, and leaning on administrative staff for key insights — can make a big difference in keeping a clinic running smoothly. If leadership feels overwhelming, consider seeking mentorship or business coaching to develop these skills.

Ready to level up to multidisciplinary? Take your time and embrace the journey

Making the jump from solo practice to a multidisciplinary clinic is a big step that can be incredibly rewarding.

And although growth is exciting, it’s important to remember that bigger isn’t always better.

Expansion isn’t just about increasing your patient list or hiring more people — it’s about having the right systems, strong leadership, and a solid financial strategy.

Katie puts it best: “Bigger can be amazing, but it can also become a monster if you haven’t got those key foundations in place.”

The good news is that you don’t have to have it all figured out from day one. As Ali reminds us, “Everything is always a learning, right? You’re doing things you’ve never done before.” If you’re ready to embrace the challenges and focus on building a strong foundation, this transition could be just the growth you need.

Remember that growth is a journey — and every step you take brings you closer to something meaningful for you and your patients.

Even more insights to help your clinic grow 🌱

This article was inspired by one of our live Community Ambassador Office Hours sessions, which you can check out on YouTube. You can also find all of our past recordings in this handy playlist to learn from fellow clinic owners!

And if you want more helpful articles like this one, we’ve got you covered with Front Desk magazine.

Published twice a year, Front Desk is full of stories from practitioners who have been there, done that. Subscribe today to get the next issue delivered right to your clinic — for free!