Video Summary:

In this transcript from a video by Andy Gale of Gale & Vallance in Orange County, California, we hear the firsthand story of how Gilbert Advent Counseling, a marriage and family therapy business, got started. This video offers a personal look into the journey of starting a private marriage counseling practice in California—from initial inspiration to licensing and legal setup. You’ll hear about the missteps the founders took, especially in the legal formation process, and how they eventually found support from Gale & Vallance.

To learn more about how to start a private marriage counseling practice in California and avoid legal and licensing pitfalls, check out our detailed guide for new marriage and family therapists opening a private practice.

Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For your specific situation, we strongly recommend contacting a qualified attorney.

0:00 – Starting the Journey into Marriage and Family Therapy

Transcript:

[Music]
We have a marriage and family therapy business which we started some years back. My original profession is nursing—I’m an RN. Over the years, I began to feel as if I wanted to contribute in a different way. Eventually, my heart led me to minister to people at a deeper level.

0:35 – Going Back to School and Making a Career Change

Transcript:

Probably around the late ’90s, I looked at going back to school. It meant giving up some income and going back to a different kind of lifestyle, which didn’t appeal to me very much. So I put it on hold. Then I revisited the idea when my husband was laid off from an electronics company.

He took some time off, did some creative things, and then came to me one day and said, “I think I’d like to go into therapy.”

I had, of course, been thinking about that too. So I supported him. I thought, “That’s great.” And I said, “What if I joined you? What if we did this together?”

We decided to pursue the master’s degree together. That was a journey in and of itself.

1:19 – Completing the Hours and Getting Licensed

Transcript:

Little by little, year by year, hour by hour, we fulfilled the 3,000 hours. We sat for our boards coincidentally within a couple of months of each other and got licensed in 2011.

My husband made the switch a little quicker than I did—he was already in social work. I made the full-time switch in 2016 and began working as a marriage and family therapist.

1:46 – Starting the Business: Advent Counseling

Transcript:

We opened a little business called Advent—originally Gilbert Counseling Services, which became Gilbert Marriage and Family Counseling Services. The business name is Advent Christian Counseling.

I do Christian counseling for those who desire that. It turns out a lot of people have a faith they’re not really tapping into.

2:15 – Early Challenges in Starting a Practice

Transcript:

You know, that’s part of our problem—we really didn’t seek out the right kind of information. We had a couple of friends who were therapists, people we’d known for years, and we got a lot of casual advice over dinners and conversations.

But we didn’t go to the source of information, which we should have done. Instead, we relied on people we knew and on LegalZoom. Those were our two sources at the time.

We didn’t fully understand the legal naming requirements and other essentials. That’s where our problems started, but we didn’t realize it until much later on.

That’s when Andy got involved and started helping us correct it all. But yes—it is a marriage and family therapy business.

Conclusion: How to Start a Private Marriage Counseling Practice in California

This real-world case from Gilbert Advent Counseling is a great reminder that while passion and education are essential, understanding the legal and business framework is just as critical when starting a private marriage counseling practice in California. If you’re planning to launch your own MFT business, consult professionals like Andy Gale at Gale & Vallance to avoid preventable setbacks. Always seek qualified legal advice tailored to your situation.