Are you interested in starting your own private practice?
You already know how to be a clinician, but do you know how to be a business person? And how to merge them? In this post, I will describe the necessary business skills you will need to succeed!
Your masters program has taught you to be a clinician — to be sensitive to clients’ needs, to put their needs above your own, to meet them where they are at instead of where you are at, etc. However, if you are going to be a successful business person, you must think of these values in different ways. This doesn’t mean you treat the client unethically, or insensitively, although it may feel a bit like that at first. There are ways to be both a good business person and a good clinician.
Emphasize Client Responsibility
Clients have responsibilities as well as clinicians. Allowing clients to no-show, or late cancel without penalty is not doing them any favors. Many clients have issues with being responsible; that is probably part of the reason they are in your office. If you enable bad behavior, you are not doing all that you can to help your client clinically. Instead, establish your policies up front and enforce them in such a way that the client feels empowered. Clients really DO have a choice in how they prioritize and manage their time, and this latest manifestation of chronic disorganization can be an excellent opportunity to help client build better skills. Further, I think it shows respect to expect clients to manage their lives effectively, as opposed to buying into their victim status. One might say holding clients responsible increases their self-efficacy. It also happens to be good for your bottom line.
Your Services Are Valuable
Don’t feel bad for charging fair market rates for your services. Your services are of great value to clients, and your rates will advertise to clients just how valuable you think you are. And if you don’t think you are valuable, why would a client? And if a client doesn’t think your services are valuable, do you think they are going to put much effort into the counseling process? And if they don’t put forth much effort, what do you think will happen? Since about 40% of change occurs outside of the counseling room, one could argue that teaching clients to place a high value on your services benefits clients immensely.
Yes, You Can Advertise
Private practice is a business. You can’t just hang a shingle and expect clients to flock to you. If you don’t advertise your services you won’t get clients, and if you don’t get clients you won’t make money, and if you don’t make money you will go out of business and not be able to help anyone. This is why making money in private practice is important. It’s not evil. It’s necessary. Of course you must advertise ethically, i.e. follow all 491 board rules and the ethics of your professional counseling organization. Don’t be misleading and don’t make promises you can’t follow through on. And remember, when in doubt contact the ethics department of your professional organization.
Yours in the Joy of Knowledge,
Dr. Barbara LoFrisco
