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Inspiring You To Grow Your Practice Through Insightful Interviews With Successful Practice Owners
Welcome to another edition of Thrive Talks, where we feature practitioners who are building impactful practices and shaping the future of holistic health and wellness.
Today, we’re excited to introduce Adam Gelinas, a dedicated therapist and the founder of First Step Men’s Therapy, a growing clinic that focuses on supporting men’s mental health.
Adam’s journey into private practice was deeply personal, and after navigating his own mental health struggles, he was inspired to create a space where men could feel heard, understood, and supported.
What started as a solo practice has since grown into a thriving group clinic, helping thousands of clients across Canada while maintaining a strong foundation of ethical care and mindful growth.
In our conversation, Adam shares the pivotal moments that shaped his practice, the challenges he faced while scaling, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Whether you’re an aspiring practice owner or a seasoned entrepreneur, Adam's insights offer valuable takeaways on leadership, resilience, and building a practice with purpose.
What inspired you to start your own practice and Launch First Step Men's Therapy?
"My journey as a clinician started in 2016, when I came home from a long stint overseas and struggled with my own mental health. I had never sought counselling prior to this period, partially due to a lack of self-awareness and a belief that if I just read enough self-help books and tried to power through it I could feel better."
"After seeking help with a male therapist, I started to recognize how my story and early experiences shaped how I showed up as an adult. I felt empowered, enlightened, and heard - and I wanted to see other men witness the power and relief in sharing their struggles and their story. After mulling over a potential masters degree, I enrolled in 2019 and started my men's mental health clinic in 2021-22."
Adam's inspirational origin story for First Step Men's Therapy! ↓
Can you describe a pivotal moment or decision that significantly impacted the growth of your practice?
"I was a solo practitioner for almost 10 months, but I wanted to help more people. I realized that I could only do so much as one clinician, and I knew that by having others on my team I could foster more support and offerings as a clinic owner."
"I took a coaching program geared towards solo practitioners that were hoping to scale into a group practice and that really impacted not only my growth, but also my mindset as a leader. Having a community of like-minded individuals gave me the strength to face challenges head-on and to also feel a sense of camaraderie in not facing them alone."
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while scaling your practice, and how did you overcome them?
"Early on, I struggled when it came to spending money/investing in growth-focused expenses. I was very budget conscious and justified ways to not spend money on things, including hiring an admin coordinator. I realized that in order to scale, I had to take calculated risks and invest in the clinic, even if it meant that some months were less profitable or I had to pay myself a bit less at the start. Hiring an administrator freed up so much of my time and allowed me to focus on the things that I needed to and worry less about the events or issues that drained my time and energy."
"I also made some poor choices in selecting team members to join. While many looked good on paper, I realized that others perhaps didn't fit in well with the culture or didn't want to follow systems and processes that were required to scale and be consistent. I have since slowed down the hiring process considerably and I am more selective in who I bring on."
How has your approach to patient care evolved as your practice has grown?
"I really strive to ensure that consistency is key as we grow. We have just hit 5000 individuals in our client management system and a considerable amount are current clients. I feel that while some decisions to patient care may be nuanced, most it is about being clear, upfront, and fair to all clients while ensuring the messaging is consistent."
What marketing strategies have been most effective in attracting and retaining patients?
"I don't believe one size fits all when it comes to marketing group practices in the mental health space. There are some obvious strategies such as Google Ads and Psychology Today, but word of mouth, networking amongst colleagues, and SEO have also been helpful in marketing our practice to the community."
"I also think having really strong, talented, and experienced professionals that are passionate in our mission is key to our success. We have some amazing people on our team and our client care team strives to be efficient, communicative, and empathetic to those reaching out for support."
How do you balance the business demands of your practice with your personal wellness?
"Personal wellness and self-care have been somewhat challenging at times, particularly as the clinic has grown and continues to grow. I tend to try to dedicate one day a week to myself and to do things that I enjoy. In the spring/fall, I may go to the local wellness spa for a day or treat myself to a nice lunch and coffee. Sometimes small breaks make a big difference. I also try to be more intentional in setting healthy boundaries between work and home - although it is a work in progress!"
How do you integrate the principles of ethical and mindful marketing into your practice's growth strategy, and what impact has this approach had on your relationship with your patients?
"I think our messaging and marketing has always been about being transparent and honest with potential clients. Our branding is clear about our mission, our offerings, and what we don't offer - so they know what to expect when working with us."
What advice would you give to a health practitioner just starting out and hoping to eventually build a successful practice?
"I think you really have to be passionate about your mission and be willing to take calculated risks when it comes to growth. If you don't love what you do, you won't be willing to sacrifice the time, energy, and stress that may be required, particularly in the early growth stages. I think also being grounded and getting support is a key component, as there will always be challenges and uncertainty along the way."
"Whenever I have a stressful or difficult day or event, I connect with my "Why" and try to put the big picture into perspective so that I can stay motivated and clear on the long-term vision for the brand and our mission."
What An Inspiring Interview!
Adam’s journey from a solo practitioner to the owner of a thriving group practice is a testament to the power of passion, strategic decision-making, and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
His experiences highlight the importance of taking calculated risks, investing in the right people, and staying true to the mission that inspired his practice in the first place.
From navigating the challenges of hiring and delegation to prioritizing his own wellness as a practice owner, Adam’s story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about growth - it’s about sustainability, leadership, and creating a lasting impact.
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in our THRIVE talks series, as we continue to spotlight practitioners who are making a positive impact on the health and wellness industry and inspiring others to do the same :)
Shayah Reed
Virtuwell Balance Founder
Interested in applying to be featured on the THRIVE talks blog series? Or maybe there's a practitioner who has inspired you along your journey that you'd like to nominate? We'd love to hear from you - email us at virtuwellbalance@gmail.com!
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