Jennifer Candela, LCSW
Building Confidence in Practice Finances
Client background
Jennifer Candela, LCSW, runs a private practice that supports clients dealing with anxiety, OCD, and life transitions such as aging, illness, and loss.
Her path into psychotherapy wasn’t straightforward. Early in her career, she worked as a Family Law Paralegal and planned on pursuing a law degree.
What changed everything was realizing that the part of the job she loved most wasn’t the legal arguments — it was counseling families during difficult times. That realization pushed Jennifer toward clinical social work.
Years later, she now enjoys the autonomy of running her own practice, shaping her work around her clients’ needs while maintaining balance in her personal life.
But, like many therapists, she quickly discovered that private practice also comes with a steep learning curve in managing the financial side.
The Challenge
Jennifer’s clinical skills were solid, but the bookkeeping, tax filings, and compliance responsibilities felt overwhelming.
“My biggest accounting headaches were figuring what was deductible and how to fill out tax forms appropriately for a business,” she recalled.
This wasn’t just a technical inconvenience. The uncertainty around money carried real weight into her day-to-day life.
“They caused me a LOT of stress,” she said.
That stress built up because therapists don’t usually receive formal training in business management. With unpredictable client schedules, fluctuating income, and no financial safety net built into the profession, Jennifer was left to figure it out alone.
She also knew that mistakes could cost her time, money, or even create compliance issues. Instead of focusing fully on her clients, part of her attention was always pulled back to whether she was handling her books correctly.
Why She Chose a CPA for Therapists
Jennifer realized she needed specialized support.
“I chose a CPA who works specifically with therapists because there are nuances to a private psychotherapy practice that must be well understood in order for an accountant to provide the most benefit,” she explained.
Unlike many small businesses, therapists deal with seasonal dips in client flow, unconventional work hours, and licensing requirements that add another layer of complexity.
Having a CPA who understood those challenges meant Jennifer didn’t have to waste time explaining the basics of her profession. She could get advice that directly fit her situation.
Working with Leichter CPA
From the start, Jennifer noticed a shift.
“My experience was one of friendly responsiveness and I experienced a great deal of relief from my stress around bookkeeping and tax filing,” she said.
The Leichter CPA team helped her:
- Move from scrambling at tax season to paying quarterly taxes with confidence.
- Improve tracking of deductible expenses, so she wasn’t leaving money on the table.
- Learn about transitioning her practice to an S-Corp structure to lower her tax liability.
- Gain clarity on bookkeeping so she no longer avoided it altogether.
Most importantly, the support came with an understanding of her profession.
Therapists often work nights and weekends, so she needed a CPA who could adapt and respond on her schedule.
That flexibility, paired with expertise in mental health practices, gave her peace of mind.
The Results
The difference was immediate. Jennifer went from feeling stressed and overwhelmed to feeling organized and in control. She now:
- Has a streamlined bookkeeping system that she keeps up with.
- Knows what’s deductible and maximizes her write-offs.
- Feels prepared for tax season year-round, instead of fearing it.
- Has reduced stress and reclaimed time for her clients.
Her favorite win?
“Catching up and feeling the relief of knowing I had friendly, responsive, knowledgeable professionals in my corner.”
Growing Forward
With her financial foundation stabilized, Jennifer is looking ahead.
She’s planning to add group therapy sessions to her practice and will rely on her CPA team to guide her in structuring those services so they’re both clinically effective and financially viable.
“I feel much more confident now,” she said.
“I am able to keep records appropriately knowing that I have a knowledgeable team who will manage the details at the end of the year, thereby reducing my stress around owning a business significantly, as well as increasing the amount of energy and time I spend on my clinical work.”
In Her Own Words
Conclusion
Jennifer’s story is a familiar one for many therapists: incredible clinical training but little preparation for the financial side of private practice.
With the right CPA, she was able to reduce stress, gain clarity, and refocus her energy where it belongs — on her clients.
Ready to feel the same relief Jennifer did? Learn more about our tax preparation services for therapists.
Want to know more about Jennifer’s work? Get in touch with her at:
Jennifer Candela, LCSW, CCTP
Candela Counseling
25 Main Street, Suite 2-2
Goshen, NY 10924
P: 845-741-3211
F: 845-231-6918