From Client Care to Professional Education: Growing a Reproductive Health Private Practice

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast!   Join Jennifer McGurk, CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Rachelle Mallik, reproductive dietitian and founder of The Food Therapist, for a conversation about building a private practice within the reproductive health space, supporting clients through vulnerable seasons of life, and using clinical expertise to create new opportunities in business.   In this episode, Rachelle shares the story behind her 20‑year journey from an IVF patient coordinator at Weill Cornell to a reproductive dietitian who now supports clients through every stage of their reproductive lifespan. Jennifer and Rachelle discuss how dietitians can provide thoughtful, ethical support while knowing when to bring in other providers, and how dietitians can grow their specialty beyond one-on-one care.  Defining Reproductive Health as a Private Practice Niche (04:19) Rachelle explains why she calls herself a reproductive dietitian and how this specialty can include much more than helping clients who are actively trying to conceive. Rachelle's Path Into Fertility Nutrition (06:44) Rachelle shares how working as an IVF patient coordinator at Weill Cornell helped her understand the emotional weight of infertility and planted the seed for the work she does today. The Gap in Pregnancy Nutrition Care (09:12) Rachelle and Jennifer reflect on how little nutrition support many people receive during pregnancy and why dietitians are so needed before, during, and after pregnancy. Supporting Clients Through Infertility (11:32) Rachelle talks about the overwhelm, misinformation, guilt, and desire for control that many clients experience when navigating infertility, and how dietitians can support them with compassion and scope-aware care. Pregnancy Nutrition, Food Aversions, and Guilt (14:39) Rachelle shares common pregnancy nutrition challenges, including nausea, fatigue, food aversions, constipation, reflux, and the pressure clients feel to "eat healthy" even when eating feels hard. Jennifer reflects on her own pregnancy experience as a dietitian. Postpartum Nutrition and Whole-Person Support (17:08) Rachelle and Jennifer discuss the realities of postpartum life, including recovery, sleep deprivation, feeding a baby, body image concerns, and the lack of consistent support after birth. The Power of Multidisciplinary Care (20:15) Rachelle and Jennifer talk about why dietitians are often uniquely positioned to recognize when clients need additional support from pelvic floor physical therapists, mental health professionals, physicians, and other providers. How Rachelle Structures Her Private Practice (21:06) Rachelle explains why her practice is primarily one-on-one, how she shifted away from packages, and why pay-as-you-go sessions created more flexibility for her clients and her business. Creating Professional Resources From Clinical Experience (27:11) Rachelle talks about expanding her business beyond client care through courses, speaking opportunities, continuing education, and resources for other healthcare professionals. Scope of Practice in Reproductive Health Nutrition (31:52) Rachelle breaks down how beginner, mid-level, and advanced dietitians can approach reproductive health work while continuing to learn, refer out, and seek support when needed. Getting Started in Fertility Nutrition (36:38) Rachelle offers advice for dietitians who want to enter the fertility space, including starting with preconception clients before moving into more complex infertility care.   This conversation is a reminder that reproductive health is not a narrow niche. Rachelle shows how fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, PCOS, endometriosis, lactation, and perimenopause can all live under one specialty when you understand the deeper needs of your clients. Strong private practice work is not just about knowing the science. It is also about understanding the client's lived experience, knowing when to collaborate with other providers, and continuing to grow your expertise over time.   Rachelle's story is also a powerful reminder that you can expand beyond client care and into areas like supervision and professional development within your area of expertise.    ✨ Business School is a comprehensive 6-month program designed to guide you through every stage of building a private practice: getting set up, seeing your first clients, growing until you're fully booked, hiring a team, expanding your offers—and even learning how to coast when needed. Inside, you'll follow a step-by-step curriculum with the flexibility to choose the path that fits your current stage of business and life. You'll get access to advanced toolkits, templates, and systems for business topics like marketing and finances, but also for counseling skills and client support. Beyond the curriculum, you're supported by personalized 1:1 coaching, weekly office hours, and monthly themes that address the real challenges of private practice. The program keeps you moving forward with built-in accountability that builds resilience and confidence so you feel like a legit business owner.   Learn more and apply here: https://pursuingprivatepractice.com/businessschool/   Find Pursuing Private Practice on Instagram @pursuing.private.practice   About Rachelle: Rachelle LaCroix Mallik, MA, RDN is a dietitian and founder of The Food Therapist, a private practice specializing in fertility and women's health nutrition. With nearly 20 years of experience in reproductive health and almost a decade in private practice, Rachelle helps individuals navigate fertility, pregnancy, and other women's health concerns with evidence-based, weight-inclusive care.  Rachelle is also a frequent speaker and received the Women's Health Dietetic Practice Group Excellence in Practice Award for her contributions to the field. Find Rachelle on Instagram at @rachellemallik   Resources: Supervision & Case Consultation Fertility Foundations Course GLP-1s & Fertility Webinar Recording