Dream Practice Academy
Launch or grow your dream psychiatry private practice — and build a career that gives you autonomy, income, and impact.
Launch, grow, or optimize your private practice with mentorship, done-for-you setup, and the most comprehensive business + clinical training in the field.
Build a career that gives you autonomy, income, and impact through full-scale mentorship and coaching.
Master private practice logistics and operations, learn and incorporate integrative psychiatry, and escape the grind of insurance-based care.
The Dream Practice Academy Process:
The Practice Launchpad
(Start Your Practice from Scratch)
Build your dream private practice with clarity, confidence, and a proven plan.
The Practice Optimizer
(Streamline & Scale Your Existing Practice)
Streamline your operations, increase profitability, and reclaim your time.
Learn from a Harvard, USC and UCLA-trained Integrative Psychiatrist Who’s Done It Herself
Hi! I’m Elana Miller, MD
When I graduated from residency in 2017, I started a private practice built around autonomy, depth, and integrative care — blending evidence-based medicine with holistic approaches like nutrition, functional labs, and mind-body healing.
I built my private practice from scratch. No insurance contracts. No rushed visits. No one telling me how to care for my patients.
Today, I run a thriving integrative psychiatry practice in Los Angeles where I spend real time with patients, use nutrition and functional medicine alongside medication, and have a schedule that supports my life.
Now I help psychiatrists, PMHNPs, and mental health prescribers create practices that give them freedom, profit, and impact, without wasting years figuring it out alone.
Take the first step. Schedule your consultation call today
330+ practitioners mentored
We've helped hundreds of psychiatrists and PMHNP's, will you be next?
Practices launched in 48 states
Our proven methods are effective in every state, we even have international members.
Average ROI within 6 months
Members also started their practice 3X faster with half the time commitment.
Option #1: The Practice Launchpad
Go from “someday” to seeing your first patient in 60 days or less
Who It's For: Designed for clinicians starting their private practice from scratch (or in the early stages of launching), this 12-month program helps you build a high-integrity, high-revenue, low-overhead private practice through a structured 90-day launch sprint, followed by ongoing growth and support to help you fill your patient panel, stabilize operations, and scale sustainably.
How It Works:
Business Foundations & Mindset
1. Shift from clinician to clinician-entrepreneur
2. Personality and mindset assessment + 1:1 coaching to remove internal blockers
3. Choose your business model (cash vs insurance vs concierge)
4. Strategic planning for financial transition from W-2/1099 to private practice
Minimum Viable Practice Setup
1. Legal and accounting checklist
2. Done-for-you EHR buildout in PracticeQ with a tailored tech stack and vetted vendor list
Niche, Message & Website Launch
1. Strategic niche development and differentiation
2. Copywriting for a conversion-focused website that attracts your ideal patient
3. Done-for-you website buildout
Marketing Strategy & Execution
1. Private practice growth plan with KPIs, tracking dashboards, and step-by-step execution strategy
2. Templates and scripts for networking and direct outreach
3. Regular check-ins to keep momentum and optimize
Private Practice Daily Workflow Set Up
1. Templates for documentation, new patient workflows, scheduling, and billing
2. Initial phone call script + practice session with personalized feedback
3. Mock new patient workflow session to practice the full intake process, from initial inquiry to scheduling, intake forms, and clinical documentation
Clinical Support
1. Core integrative psychiatry modules and protocols for all major diagnosis
2. Advanced lessons on functional psychiatry
3. Biweekly live Q&A calls with Elana to discuss clinical cases
Community + Resources
1. Group and 1:1 coaching calls with Elana and team
2. Community forum to network with clinicians at a similar stage, exchange insights, and stay on track together
3. Full library of 200+ past calls (timestamped and searchable) and trainings on clinical, business, and operational topics
Outcome: A fully-launched practice within 60-90 days with the growth strategy & operational systems to fill in your first 9-18 months.
Members Who Launched From Scratch
“I made more than 10X back on my initial investment on your mentorship program in the first 6 months of joining. I now understand that what I bring to the table is uniquely different from most other psychiatrists.”
- Geoff T., MD
“This has been trajectory-changing. I can’t even envision what I would be doing right now if I had not made this leap. I want to encourage you to think in terms of lifetime value. It can’t even be quantified.”
- Brandi J., MD
“One of the best decisions I made when starting my practice. It's a no brainer, the return on investment is absolutely there.” Jess now works 25-30 hours/week in his private practice and makes $25-30k/month
- Jess R., PMHNP
Option #2: The Practice Optimizer
Scale to Multi-6 (or 7) Figures Without Burning Out
Designed for established private practices generating revenue who want to scale efficiently, reduce admin overhead, increase profitability, and reclaim their time.
Complete Practice Audit & Deep Dive
1. Financial audit: revenue, cost per session, profit per patient, and revenue leaks
2. Patient panel audit: 80/20 patient analysis so we can pinpoint the 20% of patients causing 80% of your problems + 20% of patients giving you
80% of your professional satisfaction and revenue
3. Admin audit to identify operational time sucks and leaks
4. Optional: You give us access to your systems and we’ll export the data we need for analysis
VA Support & Admin Offload
1. Customized SOPs for all major workflows (intake, billing, patient communication)
2. Customized documentation templates that fit your workflow
3. Done-for-you VA hiring and onboarding — or optimization of current admin team
4. Reduce admin hours by 10–15 per week while improving patient experience
Revenue Optimization & Value Positioning
Cash Practice:
1. Raise Fees Strategically: Adjust pricing to reflect your value and market position
2. Package Services Profitably: Create bundled offers, memberships, or programs to increase revenue per patient and improve retention
3. Target Ideal Clients: Refine messaging to attract more aligned, higher-value patients
Insurance Practice:
1. Analyze Profit by Payer: Identify your most and least profitable insurance contracts
2. Streamline Panels: Focus on high-margin plans and drop those that drain time and revenue
3. Increase Reimbursements: Optimize coding, renegotiate rates, and refine workflows to boost revenue per visit
4. Optional Hybrid Strategy: Add cash-based services to diversify income and increase flexibility
Growth Marketing Engine (Choose Your Focus) - You pick the scaling lever that fits your business — we provide execution or implementation guidance:
1. Google Ads: Full funnel strategy, ad creation, optimization
2. Instagram Authority Strategy: Personal brand positioning, content coaching, visibility plan
3. Email List Growth: Lead magnet revamp + funnel copy strategy to increase conversion
Coaching & Accountability
1. Dedicated strategy coach and account manager to implement scaling roadmap
2. Monthly growth reports and reviews
3. Direct access to Elana and senior team for strategic escalations
Outcome: 10–30% increase in monthly revenue, 30-50% reduced admin burden, higher-margin offer structure, and scalable operations that reclaim your time — without compromising your clinical integrity.
Members Who Optimized & Scaled
“You are not half as good—you’re different, and that’s your strength.” David realized that his PMHNP background and niche expertise have intrinsic value
- David S., PMHNP
“You are not half as good—you’re different, and that’s your strength.” David realized that his PMHNP background and niche expertise have intrinsic value
- David S., PMHNP
“You are not half as good—you’re different, and that’s your strength.” David realized that his PMHNP background and niche expertise have intrinsic value
- David S., PMHNP
The Dream Practice Academy Program
Investment in your freedom, fulfillment, and future
12 month program to transform your career (and life) with clarity, confidence, and expert guidance.
The Practice
Launchpad
Designed for practitioners starting from scratch (or in the early stages of launching), this 12-month program helps you build a high-integrity, high-revenue, low-overhead private practice.
$2,480 monthly
(or save with pay-in-full)
The Practice Optimizer
For established practices already generating revenue who want a profit-first overhaul without adding chaos (e.g. making an incremental $100k+ working less).
$2,480-4,800 monthly
(or save with pay-in-full)
Are You Ready to Level Up Your Psychiatry Career?
Your Dream Practice Starts Here
Whether you’re launching, optimizing, or scaling, Dream Practice Academy gives you the mentorship, systems, and community to reach your next level without guessing, Googling, or going it alone.
FAQs
Who exactly is this program for?
Dream Practice Academy is designed for licensed mental health prescribers who are ready to build or grow a private practice with clarity, clinical depth, and business confidence.
You do not need to be a psychiatrist to join. We welcome:
- Psychiatrists (including PGY-4 residents within 3 months of graduation)
- PMHNPs and psychiatric PAs with at least 1 year of post-graduate psychiatry experience
- Family medicine or internal medicine physicians with a strong interest in mental health
- FNPs or PAs with 3+ years of experience treating psychiatric conditions
If you're committed to delivering excellent care, growing your impact, and creating a career on your own terms — you’re in the right place.
If I join, how long do I get access to coaching and support?
Your enrollment includes 12 months of coaching and support, including live group calls, personalized feedback, community access, and all program tools. We structure the experience this way so you have dedicated time to make real progress — with consistent guidance, accountability, and strategic partnership along the way.
Do I need to have experience with (or be interested in) integrative psychiatry to join?
No experience required — and no prior interest needed.
You do not need to have any background in integrative psychiatry to join Dream Practice Academy. In fact, many members start with little or no exposure — and what they quickly discover is that the common-sense, patient-centered integrative practices we teach align beautifully with the kind of high-touch, values-driven care they already want to provide.
Inside the program, you'll learn:
- Fundamentals of integrative psychiatry — including how to use nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle interventions in a grounded, evidence-informed way
- Specific protocols you can start applying with patients right away
- Advanced clinical tools for those who want to go deeper (see Module 9 above for a full breakdown)
- Live case discussions and clinical Q&A during our bi-weekly calls
And even if you’ve already done training (like the IPI fellowship), many members still join to learn how to actually apply protocols with clarity, confidence, and clinical nuance.
This is about making integrative psychiatry practical, impactful, and approachable — no matter your starting point.
What if I want to start an insurance practice?
That’s absolutely welcome — and often a smart strategic choice.
While Dream Practice Academy originally focused on cash-pay practices (based on Elana’s own experience), we’ve since worked with hundreds of clinicians across a variety of models — and we’ve learned that insurance can make sense in many situations, especially if:
- You’re earlier in your career and want to build clinical confidence
- You’re in a market where insurance is in high demand
- You want to grow quickly and transition to cash-pay over time
We support both cash-pay and insurance-based models — and you’ll get personalized guidance on which insurances to accept, how to navigate credentialing, and how to build a business that works for your goals (with or without insurance in the long term).
This is about creating a practice that reflects your values — and we’ll help you make strategic decisions every step of the way.
Is this tax deductible?
Yes! Dream Practice Academy is a professional development and business expense. We recommend confirming with your accountant, but most clients write it off.
One note: you can write off DPA against your private practice income OR 1099 income from a side job. Meaning that even if you don't generate private practice revenue in the tax year you join, you can still deduct it as an expense as long as you earned 1099 income that year.
However, you CAN'T write off DPA against W2 income.
What if I’m still working a W2 or 1099 job— can I do this on the side?
Yes — and in fact, this is exactly what we recommend.
Starting your practice while still working your W2 or 1099 job is often the smartest, most sustainable path forward. It reduces financial stress, which means you can make strategic, long-term decisions for your business — instead of being driven by fear, urgency, or cash flow pressure.
Inside Dream Practice Academy, we give you specific guidance on how to combine your job with your practice, including:
- Structuring a part-time launch that fits your schedule
- Managing boundaries and patient load
- Knowing when you’re financially ready to cut back or leave
You’ll also learn how to run the numbers so you can make confident, informed decisions about when and how to transition — without putting yourself (or your practice) at risk.
