The Mental Health Field Needs More Feminist Leadership—Why Not You?
The mental health industry is built on care, empathy, and healing—but let’s be real, the business side of it? Still tangled in outdated, patriarchal systems that undervalue therapists, overwork providers, and resist change. If you’re tired of watching mental health professionals burn out while systems profit off their exhaustion, I have one question for you:
Why not you?
Why not step into leadership and start changing the way we do business in mental health? Why not create a practice that values sustainability, inclusivity, and equity—not just for clients, but for therapists too?
Feminist style leadership isn’t just about empowering women; it’s about rewriting the rules of business to serve people over profits, collaboration over hierarchy, and sustainability over burnout. And if you’re running (or thinking about running) a mental health practice, you have the power to lead in a way that challenges the toxic norms of late-stage capitalism and the patriarchy.
It’s time to build a mental health industry that works for us, not just for the insurance companies, the big healthcare conglomerates, and the outdated expectations of what a “successful” practice should look like.
Here’s how you can lead with feminist and matriarchal principles—and why it matters more than ever.
1. Redefine Leadership in Your Practice
Too often, leadership in business is modeled after patriarchal ideals—command and control, profits at any cost, and an obsession with productivity over well-being. But that’s not the only way to lead.
💡 Feminist leadership is about collaboration, shared power, and valuing the whole person—not just their output.
What does this look like in practice?
Dismantling rigid hierarchies and creating a culture where everyone’s voice is valued.
Hiring with an emphasis on emotional intelligence and ethical decision-making, not just credentials.
Mentoring instead of micromanaging—because real leadership is about lifting others up, not controlling them.
ACTION STEP: Start a leadership meeting (even if it’s just you for now) where the focus isn’t on revenue but on how you and your team feel about the work you’re doing. Ask: What’s working? What’s burning us out? What needs to change?
2. Pay Your People Like They Matter
One of the most insidious ways the mental health field mirrors patriarchal capitalism is through underpaying the very people who make this industry run. Therapists are expected to work long hours, carry heavy caseloads, and deal with increasing administrative burdens—all while being told they should be grateful just to “help people.”
💡 Feminist leadership recognizes that mental health work is valuable and should be compensated accordingly.
This means:
Not undercharging for your services just because you feel guilty about making money in a helping profession.
Creating pay structures that allow therapists to thrive—not just survive.
Advocating for financial transparency in your practice so everyone understands where money is going.
ACTION STEP: Look at your pricing structure and payroll. Are your fees supporting fair compensation? If not, it’s time to raise rates, restructure, or find ways to bring in revenue that don’t rely on overworking your team.
3. Build a Practice That Supports Work-Life Integration (Not Just “Self-Care”)
We’ve all seen the bandaid solutions to burnout: take a yoga class, schedule a lunch break, practice mindfulness. But feminist leadership doesn’t just tell people to engage in self-care—it creates systems that make burnout less likely in the first place.
💡 Matriarchal leadership values work-life integration, recognizing that people are not machines that can “turn off” stress at 5 PM.
This looks like:
Flexible scheduling that respects therapists’ lives outside of work.
Realistic caseload expectations that don’t require seeing 40+ clients a week to make a living.
Administrative support that keeps clinicians from drowning in paperwork and insurance battles.
ACTION STEP: Ask your team (or yourself, if you’re solo) what policies or structures would make work feel sustainable. What would it take to make your practice a place where therapists actually want to stay? Then, start making changes—even small ones matter.
4. Center Community, Not Competition
Traditional business models love competition—pit people against each other, make them hustle for scraps, and watch profits soar. But feminist leadership flips this script by prioritizing community over competition.
💡 A practice that thrives doesn’t need to gatekeep knowledge or operate from a scarcity mindset.
How do we build mental health businesses that foster collaboration instead of competition?
Share knowledge freely. Mentor new therapists, collaborate with other practice owners, and be transparent about what’s working.
Lift others up. If you’re full, refer clients to another therapist. Advocate for colleagues. Build a referral network that benefits everyone.
Stop the race to the bottom. Don’t undervalue your services just to compete—there are enough clients for all of us.
ACTION STEP: Reach out to one other practice owner or therapist this week and start a conversation about collaboration. Find ways to support each other instead of competing.
5. Be Loud, Be Visible, and Take Up Space
Women in business—especially in mental health—are often conditioned to be accommodating, to downplay success, and to avoid making waves. But feminist leadership means owning your expertise, your value, and your impact.
💡 Your practice is not “just” a business—it’s a revolution in how mental health care can be provided.
This means:
Charging premium prices unapologetically.
Speaking up about unethical industry practices.
Claiming your authority as a leader in this space.
ACTION STEP: Write a bold mission statement for your practice. What do you really stand for? Share it on your website, social media, or even just with your team. Let the world know what kind of leader you are.
It’s Time to Lead Differently
The mental health field doesn’t need more burned-out therapists struggling to stay afloat. It needs more feminist leaders willing to challenge the status quo and build something better.
So, why not you?
You’re already running a practice, supporting clients, and making an impact. Now, take it further. Lead with intention. Build with sustainability. Challenge outdated systems.
Because the future of mental health care shouldn’t be built on overwork, underpay, and burnout. It should be built by leaders who care enough to change the game.
Are you ready to be one of them? 🚀💙
💙 Then, take it further—join us for our webinar on February 19th at 1 PM EST to explore how YOU can lead differently.
