611 - From Psychiatrist to Practice Owner with Dr. Duncan Gill

611 - From Psychiatrist to Practice Owner with Dr. Duncan Gill

Author: Henry Lopez June 22, 2026 Duration: 32:46

How psychiatrist Dr. Duncan Gill transitioned from employee to entrepreneur and built a thriving behavioral health practice serving children, teens, and families.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/611-duncan-gill-practice-owner/

How psychiatrist Dr. Duncan Gill transitioned from employee to entrepreneur and built a thriving behavioral health practice serving children, teens, and families.

Many highly trained professionals discover that technical expertise alone is not enough to build a successful business.

In this episode, Henry Lopez speaks with Dr. Duncan Gill, founder of Direction Behavioral Health, about his journey from practicing psychiatrist to entrepreneur and business owner. Duncan shares how frustration with bureaucracy and a desire to serve patients differently led him to launch his own behavioral health practice.

They discuss the challenges of transitioning from clinician to business leader, including hiring and managing employees, navigating partnerships, delegating responsibility, monitoring key performance indicators, and building systems that allow the business to grow beyond the founder.

Duncan also shares why creativity, adaptability, and a willingness to take calculated risks have been critical to his success. He reflects on the lessons he learned from building a team, expanding facilities, and creating a practice that serves children, teens, and families while providing him with the freedom to pursue other interests, including music.

This conversation offers valuable insights not only for healthcare professionals but for any entrepreneur seeking to build a business that can grow beyond their direct involvement.

Healthcare professionals should not underestimate their ability to become successful entrepreneurs.

Dr. Duncan Gill is a board-certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and the founder of Direction Behavioral Health. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Physical Sciences from Harvard University and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Saba University School of Medicine. He completed his General Psychiatry residency and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at the University of Connecticut.

Before founding Direction Behavioral Health, Duncan served as a staff psychiatrist with the Community Council of Nashua's Child and Adolescent Program. He has also worked with Southern New Hampshire Medical Center and performed psychiatric evaluations for New Hampshire's court system.

Today, he leads Direction Behavioral Health, a specialized behavioral health practice serving children, teens, young adults, and families through intensive outpatient programs and other structured mental health services.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com


Henry Lopez hosts The How of Business-How to start, run, grow and exit a small business. It’s a practical resource for anyone who wants to move beyond just the idea of entrepreneurship and into the actual work of building something. Each week, the focus is on the tangible steps and decisions involved in a business’s entire lifecycle, from that initial launch through to managing daily operations, scaling up, and even planning a future exit. You’ll hear straightforward conversations that dig into specific topics, breaking down complex challenges into manageable advice. Often, Henry sits down with a small business owner who shares their real-world experiences-the successes and the setbacks-offering a genuine look at what it takes. This podcast is built on the understanding that running a business is a series of learned skills, and it aims to provide those lessons without fluff. Whether you're sketching your first plan on a napkin or steering an established company toward growth, the discussions here are meant to be directly applicable to your own journey. Tune in for a regular dose of clarity and concrete strategies from someone who understands the day-to-day realities you face.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The How of Business - How to start, run, grow and exit a small business.
Podcast Episodes
585 – Crafting Your Sales Pitch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:56
Learn a simple, repeatable framework for crafting an effective sales pitch that connects, communicates value, and inspires action. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/585-crafting-your-sales-pitch/ Crafting…
584 – Essential Legal Tips with Wesley Henderson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:46
Attorney and entrepreneur Wesley Henderson shares practical legal insights every small business owner needs to protect their business and operate with confidence. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/584-wes…
583 – Scaling a Software Startup with Joshua Talbert [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:10
Engineer-turned-entrepreneur Joshua Talbert shares his journey from defense contractor to tech startup founder and CEO of MySherpas.ai. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/583-josh-talbert-software-startup/…
582 – Broken Windows Theory for Small Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:14
How small signs of disorder in your workplace can erode culture, safety, and customer trust, and how fixing them builds pride and small business success. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/582-broken-windo…
581 – Aunt Ethel's Pot Pies with Sasha Millstein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:59
Entrepreneur Sasha Millstein shares her journey launching Aunt Ethel's Pot Pies and scaling this frozen comfort food brand from idea to shelves. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/581-sasha-millstein-aunt-…
R355 – 4 Reasons to Delegate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:16
Four compelling reasons why mastering delegation is essential for every small business owner. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r355-4-reasons-to-delegate/ Henry Lopez shares why effective delegation is o…
580 – Unlocking Hidden Profits with Jamie Trull [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:00
How small business owners can unlock hidden profits by optimizing financial levers and making smarter money decisions. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/580-jamie-trull-unlocking-hidden-profits/ Small bus…
579 – Business Poll Results [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:29
Business poll results reveal the biggest challenges small business owners face, from marketing struggles to sales fears, debt concerns, AI adoption, and growth barriers. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/…
578 – Return on Experience with Vance Morris [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:17
The loyalty, referrals, and pricing power a small business gains by consistently delivering remarkable customer experiences, even when the ROI isn't directly measurable in dollars. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbu…