Fired and Flourishing: How Brittany Webb Turned Layoff into Leadership
What if the worst day of your career turned into the best thing that ever happened to you?
That’s exactly what happened to Brittany Webb, a licensed therapist who was laid off from a mental health tech company—and used it as fuel to build Better Minds Counseling, a values-led virtual therapy group that now supports clients across Pennsylvania.
Ignored in the Boardroom, Heard by the World
Before Brittany became a CEO, she was the lone therapist in a room full of tech execs. Her ideas? Ignored. Her insights? Overlooked. And eventually, her role? Eliminated.
But what felt like a loss quickly became a wake-up call. “I realized I had all this skillset—but believing in myself was the hard part,” she shares. Brittany turned the frustration of feeling unseen into the foundation for something far better: her own practice.
Low Overhead, High Impact
Starting a business is scary—but Brittany kept it simple. No office. No massive tech stack. Just a virtual setup, a license, malpractice insurance, and a lot of courage. “The cost wasn’t the barrier. It was trusting myself enough to go all in.”
Within months, she was seeing clients and slowly scaling. She used Psychology Today and Open Path to build up her caseload. The secret sauce? Warmth, visibility, and a clear purpose.
From Solo to Team: Hiring With Heart
One of the boldest moves Brittany made was expanding into a group practice just eight months after launching. Her hiring philosophy is refreshingly simple:
- Look for enthusiasm, not just credentials.
- Prioritize self-care as much as client care.
- Be upfront about culture and goals from the first interview.
“I don’t want my therapists seeing 25 clients a week. That’s just not sustainable,” she says. Instead, she fosters a slow-burn culture—one rooted in empathy, honest leadership, and mental space.
How to Spot a Toxic Workplace—and Leave It
Brittany’s advice for anyone stuck in a toxic job? Start with clarity.
- Write down what makes your environment unhealthy.
- Define what “better” looks like.
- Visualize the life you want.
- Start saying it out loud.
When is it time to go? “If you’re dreading work, getting sick more, or feeling panicked just logging into a meeting—it’s time.”
Culture, Even When You’re Remote
Running a fully virtual team comes with its own set of challenges. But Brittany makes it work by over-communicating and under-reacting.
- Bi-weekly group supervision
- Goal alignment for every therapist
- Letting team members choose their own clients
This balance of structure and autonomy builds ownership—and keeps the team engaged even from a distance.
Mental Health Is a Daily Practice—Especially for CEOs
Brittany’s self-care isn’t spa days. It’s hikes with her dog, cooking something creative, and knowing when to step back.
“Sometimes the most important thing is letting yourself slow down.”
She uses nature not just to recharge but to problem-solve. “I keep a running notepad on my phone for ideas that hit me mid-walk. Some of my best business plans were born on a trail.”
What’s Next for Better Minds Counseling?
Brittany’s vision includes:
- Hiring 1–3 new employees every six months
- Developing leadership roles within the practice
- Offering group programs and a more robust internship experience
It’s not just about scaling. It’s about building something sustainable—and creating the leadership she wished she had.
Your Takeaway
This episode isn’t just for therapists. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt small in a big system.
Brittany Webb didn’t wait for a seat at the table. She built her own damn room.
And you can too.
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