There are numerous reasons why psychologists, counselors and psychotherapists decide to develop a private practice. These include a desire for greater flexibility, attracting different types of clients, greater autonomy and self development. Many practitioners spend ample time and focus on their clinical skill development, believing that if only they can develop an effective referral service, they will have no problem in maintaining a full and effective practice. However, this is not true. There are a number of challenges they face along the way, not least that to have a regular flow of clients and grow a practice without becoming burnt out, you must develop some key business skills. This often comes as a surprise to therapists who may even have changed careers to avoid the world of business.
To set the foundations for an effective private practice, skilled practitioners must ask themselves a number of questions about what they want their practice to look like and what it would take for it to be successful and sustainable. These questions include:
• How do I get clients?
• How do they find me?
• How do I get the right type of clients to match my clinical ability?
• How do I ensure I have enough time for self development and self care?
• How can my practice be values aligned but sustainable?
• How can I avoid burnout and compassion fatigue?
The answers to these questions are seldom taught in traditional psychology or psychotherapy training schools. If asked, the response is often the use of referral methods, brochures, telephone directories or noticeboards. However, the reality is that many of today s clients are more sophisticated and know how to source solutions to their problems over the internet or other means. In order to attract those clients and continue to do the work you love, you must embrace these new ways of working.
A number of business challenges face the practitioner which fall under the following headings:
• Clinical issues ensuring your practice is developed, run and maintained in a sustainable and professional manner
• Marketing issues ensuring your branding, image and offering are aligned and reach the niche that is right for you
• Technological issues ensuring that your business and clinical offering are integrated so that clients can find you. Additionally, technology can be used wisely to support your practice and make things easier for you.
In order to develop a successful and thriving private practice, you must ensure that you not only work in your practice but on your practice. This means giving ample attention to the marketing and technological aspects of your business. This doesn t necessarily mean you have to do all this yourself but you must find creative ways for your practice to generate income (probably beyond one to one counseling) to pay for other people to do this for you. If you avoid this essential key to having a successful practice, you will find your practice fails or you become burnt out and disillusioned. The good news is that with some simple techniques, your practice can thrive and you can focus on the work you love seeing clients!
Author Resource:
Clare Mann is a Psychologist in Sydney that runs her own successful practice. With a marketing professional and technology expert she has created a program called "Creating A Successful and Sustainable Practice" for other therapists looking for the missing pieces. http://www.BestTherapyPractice.com
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