Why I Chose Private Practice

Written by Evan Vukets, RCC, Registered Clinical Counsellor in Abbotsford, BC. I support men in Abbotsford, the Fraser Valley, and online across BC. Learn more about me.

When I began my career as a counsellor, most of my time was spent at a variety of non-profits as well as local treatment centre. I worked as a group therapist supporting men in recovery from addictions. The work was meaningful, and I was grateful to be part of their journeys. But I also noticed something stirring in me.

What I enjoyed most was the one-on-one conversations. Those moments where someone could speak openly, without a group around them, and we could slow down and focus on their unique story. That is why I maintained a small private practice on the side, even though my days were already full.

At the time, my schedule was intense. Many days I would leave home around 7:30 in the morning and often not return until 8:30 at night. It was rewarding work, but the pace was unsustainable. I told myself it was just a season and I had to keep working hard.

A Walk by the Lake

One day, I was walking to the lake with a client. He was sharing about the challenges of recovery, and the way life seemed to pass him by in between attempts to get back on track. One of the hardest things for him was realizing how old his daughter had become, and how he had missed out on her early years.

What struck me most was that he did not know I had a daughter on the way. His words hit me in a way I could not ignore. I felt the conviction that time with family is not something you can buy back. No career, no amount of business, and no income is worth missing the moments that matter most.

That conversation stayed with me. It was as if his story became a mirror, showing me the path I was walking and the cost it could have for my own family if I didn’t make changes. It cut through the rationalizations I had leaned on, how I had worked six days a week for as long as I could remember and had always just “made it work.” But I realized that survival was not the mindset I wanted to carry into fatherhood.

The Fear of Change

Knowing I needed to slow down was one thing. Taking action was another. I was afraid. My wife was preparing for maternity leave, and we talked about the possibility of her not returning to her teaching role so she could intentionally be home with our children.

The thought of supporting our family on my own was overwhelming. I wondered, how could I possibly start a business, replace her salary, and pay the mortgage, all while being present for a newborn?

The truth is, I never wanted to be a business owner. My heart has always been in being a therapist, not in building a company. I wrestled with the fear that stepping away from stability would put us at risk.

A Bridge of Support

In the middle of that uncertainty, I was offered a contract from Laura at Kinghaven Peardonville House Society. It allowed me to continue trauma counselling with clients at Kinghaven and Peardonville two days a week. This role focused on individual counselling, which was the part of the work I had always found most meaningful.

That contract became a bridge. It gave me the financial stability to support my family while I began building my private practice more intentionally. Instead of carrying the pressure of instantly creating a full caseload, I could grow at a sustainable pace.

Having that support allowed me to take the leap into private practice without the fear of falling flat. For that, I will always be grateful.

Looking Back

Now, years later, I can see that choosing private practice has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. Our family has grown, and we now have two children. Natasha has been able to stay home with them, and I have the flexibility to be present in ways I never could have if I had stayed in the pace I was living before.

I am able to work three days a week remotely. This rhythm gives me the space to be with my kids in meaningful ways. From daddy-daughter dates with Daisy at the Clayburn Candy Store to afternoons spent playing trucks and building forts with Viktor, these are the moments that matter most. And I don’t take them for granted.

How It Shapes My Work Today

The choice to step into private practice was not only about my family. It has also shaped the way I approach counselling itself. I know what it feels like to wrestle with fear, to wonder if you can really make a change, and to take a leap of faith into something new.

That experience helps me connect with the men I work with. Many of them feel successful on the outside but restless or burned out on the inside. They worry that life is passing them by. They long to reconnect with themselves, with their families, and with a sense of purpose.

Counselling is the space where we slow down, listen, and realign. It is where we step back from the noise of daily life and look honestly at what matters most. Just as I needed to make hard choices to live in alignment with my values, I walk alongside men as they consider the changes they want for their own lives.

Closing Thoughts on Why I chose Private Practice

Looking back, I see that the story of why I chose private practice is really a story about courage, support, and values. It took courage to leave the security of a full-time job. It took the support of mentors and opportunities along the way. And it took a clear sense of what mattered most to me: family, presence, and meaningful work.

Private practice has allowed me to live those values every day. It has created the space for me to not only support men in their own growth but also to live fully present in my own life.

For me, counselling is not just a career. It is a calling to help others reconnect with themselves and to walk with them through change. And it is a daily reminder that the choices we make today shape the life we get to live tomorrow.

Your story matters, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own. If you’ve been thinking about counselling, let’s start with a conversation. Book a free consultation and we’ll explore what’s possible together.