Episode 50
From 2 GPs to 13 in a Decade; A Journey by Two Fabulous Female GP Owners with Dr Petrina Barson & Dr Arete Kouteris
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Owning a clinic is a bold move. Scaling it is next-level.
In this conversation, two incredible GPs, Dr Petrina Barson and Dr Arete Kotouris, pull back the curtain on their journey from dreamers with a vision to established owners of a thriving inner-suburban clinic.
They didn’t start with deep business expertise. They started with clarity, guts, and a shared commitment to doing things differently.
This episode is about what it really takes to grow beyond the spreadsheets and into the grit of daily decisions, the messiness of setbacks, and the power of betting on yourself.
If you’ve ever wondered what scaling a successful, values-led practice looks like in real life (including all the screw-ups and savviness learned along the way), this episode is unmissable.
In this episode of the Scale My Clinic Podcast, you’ll learn:
- Why defining your non-negotiables early can fast-track your ideal practice (04:44)
- How to protect your business by learning to lead with boundaries, not blind trust (10:10)
- Practical lessons in council permits, strategic delegation, and stepping back without losing control (13:44)
- The “Flourish Conversations” approach to uplift team morale and improve billing outcomes (21:04)
- How evolving as a leader can unlock unexpected wins inside and outside your practice (26:31)
These stories aren’t just inspirational. They’re practical. They’ll show you what’s possible when you lead with heart, back yourself, and stay fiercely committed to building something that lasts.
Listen now to discover the moments that matter most when scaling your clinic from the inside out.
If you haven’t listened to our previous episode talking about The 12.5% Bulk Billing Incentive Is a Trap — Here’s What GP Owners Need to Know, go back and check out Episode 49.
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ABOUT DR PETRINA BARSON
Dr Petrina Barson [MBBS, FRACGP, DRANZCOG, BA (Hons), Grad Dip MHS] graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1988. She enjoys her work as a general practitioner because it gives her the potential to know her patients over time and accompany them through the various phases of their lives.
Petrina loves to make a real difference for people by compassionate listening, by skilful medicine, and by partnering with them to help them best manage their health. She enjoys the full variety of general practice, and has special interests in women’s health, psychological medicine, and resolving the underlying causes of anxiety and depression through The Richards Trauma Process.
Petrina has been involved for many years in medical education, in particular teaching communication skills and compassion cultivation to medical students. She is the Director of the Centre for a Compassionate Society and is actively engaged in advocacy for refugee rights.
ABOUT DR ARETE KOUTERIS
Dr Arete Kouteris [MBBS, FRACGP, FAMAC] graduated from the University of Melbourne with a medical degree in 1991. She has been in general practice for over 20 years. Dr Kouteris also holds a degree in naturopathy and a specialist qualification in medical acupuncture. Her main focus is whole person medicine, tailoring patient care to suit the individual. Her experience is mostly in women’s and children’s health, men’s health and chronic medical diseases with a passion for laser medical acupuncture which she has performed for over 20 years. She enjoys reading, live music and spending time with family and friends. She has lived in the Brunswick area for over 15 years and her three sons attend local schools and activities.
WHERE TO FIND DR PETRINA BARSON
WHERE TO FIND DR ARETE KOUTERIS
If this is your first time on the HotDoc system you will need to Signup. Or download the HotDoc app – HERE (the app enables you to more easily make appointments and to check in when you arrive for your consultation).
Call Reception on 9383 2493 to book for Dr Petrina Barson, Integrative Medicine (Dr Arete Kouteris), Psychology (Dr Lisa Soares), or Podiatry (Mr Peter Mulkearns).
