Ali Joy Richardson and Neil Silcox: Running a Successful Practice as a Couple | Ep 167

Fearless Practice

Ali and Neil have worked together for years in theatre before opening up a private practice together. Ali started first, and Neil joined her once they completed their qualifications.

If you want to learn more about how they built their Canadian private practice, including tips on how to work well with your partner, listen in on the conversation today!

MEET ALI and NEIL

Ali Joy Richardson (she/her) is a Registered Counselling Therapist and private practice owner of Richardson Therapy in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She provides narrative therapy in support of teens, adults, and couples with a focus on helping people create healthy relationships and heal from abuse. Ali is a published playwright and theatre artist who has directed and written plays across Canada.

Neil Silcox (he/they) is a Registered Counselling Therapist (Candidate), a teacher, and a theatre artist. His therapeutic work is focused on masculinity, ADHD, and navigating artistic and academic careers. He has taught theatre in colleges and universities across Ontario and the Atlantic Provinces, and creates theatre and performance art that explores identity, gender, and wellbeing. Neil collaborates artistically and in private practice with his wife, Ali Joy Richardson (and their dog, Mackey).

Learn more about Ali and Neil on their practice website, Ali’s Psychology Today, and Neil’s Psychology Today profiles.

In this episode:

• Why Ali and Neil decided to become therapists

• Working together as a couple

• The private practice now

• Marketing the practice: highs and lows

• Why authenticity is important

• Advice to listeners

Why Ali and Neil decided to become therapists

As Ali explains, the relationship between the director and the actors is intimate and collaborative. Actors and directors alike draw from their personal experiences when they are creating productions and plays together.

A few years later, Ali worked on a series of shows about mental health for pre-teen audiences called “One Deep Breath”, which was toured and presented to over 80,000 students in Ontario. This sparked a deeper interest in her to pursue becoming a therapist herself.

For Neil, it came from his teaching experience. Students would come to him and discuss their lifepaths beyond education, and Neil found himself talking with them for a long time.

Working together as a couple

Ali and Neil have been working as a team for years. They have collaborated professionally and creatively for such a long time that it felt obvious and familiar for them to decide to go into private practice together as well.

They have worked at perfecting how to manage working together as a couple, such as when to talk to each other and discuss new things to do if any resentment builds, how to show and give appreciation, and providing safe and loving spaces outside of work that they can share.

The private practice now

The practice has been going well for them. Since it is still small, they appreciate connecting with clients, because these clients choose the two of them specifically, rather than a big organization.

Marketing the practice: highs and lows

Both Neil and Ali have leaned into their strengths when it comes to marketing the practice. Neil brings people together, hosts in-person meetings and therapy, and connects with other therapists, creating a strong network of professionals and client referrals.

Ali does more one-on-one work and brings in new people into the practice in this way.

Why authenticity is important

However, they decided to pull back on paid ads and social media. They experimented with it for some time, but it just didn’t work how they had anticipated.

Advice to listeners

Put things in writing! It helps protect you from resentment (with your partner, family, best friends, or other people whom you care for). Write down clear roles and responsibilities, because it creates a sense of freedom, rather than stress.

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Resources mentioned and useful links:

Ep 166: Integrating Land Tax and Reparations in Your Practice | EP 166

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Learn more about Ali and Neil on their practice website, Ali’s Psychology Today, and Neil’s Psychology Today profiles.

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