Your practice. Your decisions.
Learn how to set up and operate your own practice while retaining control of your schedule, professional direction and business.
For Wisconsin mental health professionals
Build your own practice.
Keep your independence.
You became a counselor to help people—not to surrender control of your career. We help emerging mental health professionals establish and grow independent practices with practical education, coaching, guidance on learning insurance credentialing and billing, and marketing support—all at no charge.
Free guidance for fully licensed counselorsReal-world practice guidanceNo membership duesSupport from fellow professionalsIntern & LPC-IT supervision guidance
A different kind of professional alliance
We help counselors become practice owners.
The Wisconsin Mental Health Alliance is an association of mental health professionals dedicated to helping newer counselors enter the profession, establish their own practices and build sustainable careers. Our goal is independence with support. We provide free guidance to fully licensed counselors; supervision for interns and LPC-ITs may involve an agreed income split to help cover supervision costs.
Free guidance for licensed counselors.
Fully licensed counselors can receive practical guidance at no charge, without paying the Alliance a percentage of their practice income.
Better access to care.
We encourage a sustainable approach to serving Wisconsin communities, including people who rely on Medicaid and other insurance coverage.
What you can learn
Guidance for the business side of counseling.
Clinical training prepares you to help clients. Building a practice also requires business knowledge. We help bridge that gap.
Practice setup & coaching
Business planning, scheduling, office and telehealth considerations, and one-on-one guidance as you take your first steps.
Insurance & credentialing
Learn how to pursue payer enrollment, handle your own credentialing, understand billing and clearinghouses, and manage the administrative steps of independent practice. We teach you how; we do not perform billing or credentialing on your behalf.
Marketing & visibility
Learn how to describe your services, build a professional online presence, connect with referral sources and attract appropriate clients.
Practice technology
Explore electronic records, scheduling, telehealth and the technology needed to manage an efficient counseling business.
Professional education
Practical discussions about starting, operating and improving a practice, with support from experienced colleagues.
Mentoring & connection
Connect with independent professionals who can share lessons learned and help you evaluate your options.
Supervision for interns and LPC-ITs: The Alliance can also help arrange professional supervision for counseling interns and Licensed Professional Counselors in Training (LPC-ITs), primarily online, with in-person options in Northcentral Wisconsin. Supervision arrangements may include an agreed share of income to cover supervision costs and depend on supervisor availability and applicable Wisconsin requirements. Ask about supervision →
Paths to getting started
Learn about the platforms available to counselors.
You don't have to figure out every insurance and referral option alone. We help counselors evaluate platforms and approaches that may fit their licensure, business model and goals.
AlmaHeadwayTava HealthRulaSpring Health
These are independent third-party services, not sponsors or affiliates of the Alliance. Participation, eligibility, payer arrangements, fees and availability vary; the Alliance does not guarantee enrollment, referrals, reimbursement or panel acceptance.
Our focus is helping you compare your options, understand the tradeoffs and make informed decisions for your own practice.
A practical starting point
From new counselor to independent professional.
Talk through your goals
Tell us where you are in your professional journey, your licensure status and the type of practice you hope to build.
Build a workable plan
Explore business setup, supervision where applicable, insurance participation, practice technology and marketing priorities.
Grow with support
Continue learning and making your own business decisions while staying connected to an experienced professional network.
Free professional support
Free guidance for fully licensed counselors.
The Alliance no longer charges membership dues. We provide free education, marketing guidance, business advice and coaching to help fully licensed Wisconsin counselors establish and operate their own practices. Supervision for interns and LPC-ITs is a separate arrangement and may involve an agreed income split to cover supervision costs. We show you how to manage insurance credentialing and billing yourself; we do not provide those services on your behalf.
Request Free Guidance →$0 membership dues
No membership fee. Fully licensed counselors pay no percentage of session revenue to the Alliance for guidance. Supervision arrangements for interns and LPC-ITs may involve an agreed income split.
Education and guidance—not outsourced billing or credentialing services.
About our founder
Dr. Gary Probst, Psy.D., LPC
Founder, President and Executive Director — Wisconsin Mental Health Alliance
Dr. Gary Probst founded the Wisconsin Mental Health Alliance to help counselors enter the profession and learn how to establish and manage independent private practices. A Licensed Professional Counselor and educator, he brings experience in counseling, higher education, broadcasting and business to his work with developing professionals.
Dr. Probst has spent more than a decade working with autistic clients and teaches counseling-related subjects at the university level. Through the Alliance, he shares practical guidance on starting a practice, understanding insurance billing and credentialing, developing a referral network and building a sustainable counseling career. He also helps connect counseling interns and LPC-ITs with supervision options, primarily online and in person in Northcentral Wisconsin.
His goal is straightforward: help counselors develop the knowledge, confidence and independence to build practices of their own.
Dr. Probst also created Autistic Living, an educational website featuring practical articles about autism, everyday challenges, and personal growth. Explore the Autistic Living articles or learn more about Dr. Probst.
Get in touch
Ready to build something of your own?
Whether you're just entering the counseling profession or thinking about leaving a group practice, we would welcome a conversation about your goals.
Wisconsin Mental Health Alliance, Inc.
1001 Progressive Avenue, Room M123
Medford, WI 54451
Dr. Gary Probst, Psy.D., LPC
Founder, President and Executive Director
Contact the Alliance
Email us to ask about free mentoring, education, supervision for interns and LPC-ITs, or establishing an independent practice.
Send an Email →Explore another educational project founded by Dr. Probst: Autistic Living, featuring articles and resources about autism.