Three Tips to Becoming a Better Private Practice Owner

We get into graduate school, and we dive into the work all the assessments, diagnosis, use of DSM 5, bio-psycho socials, interventions, and theories. We spend long hours working with clients in in our practicum and internship to develop our therapeutic skills. Many of us dream to open a private practice. Then the reality sets in. How can I afford rent? What if I can’t get clients? Where do I find clients? Doubts start rolling in, and it’s not long until that little voice in our heads are screaming “You can’t do this?” “What do you know about being a business owner?” Before long the imposture syndrome sets in. What is that you say? It is a concept that describes high-achieving individuals who are marked by the inability to internalize their accomplishments and are in persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud. This happens to many well-meaning therapist Major self-doubt. Did you realize that you are only one of 10.9 % of the population that holds a Master Degree? That we have more direct client hours, post master degree than most other professions except some medical specialties. Other professional careers like lawyers, dentists, teachers, veterinarians, or political leaders do not have the stringency of post-degree hours like Marriage and Family Therapist have. I would argue that due to the lack of true business skills this self-doubt looms even larger. I have listed below three skills I feel will help you become a successful business owner.

1. Start reading books on marketing and business. Since most likely will not have a class in business, you must start to self-educate in this area. I know you are already groaning. “I hate business; that is why I became a therapist.” Or “I have no time I am juggling everything already.” I hear you, I really do. But if you are going to be a business owner you need to learn the boring business stuff. The skills are not that hard to learn. Have you no time? But you still have 20 minutes every couple of days, right? You do not have to race through and devour a book a week. What I am saying is take the approach of slow and steady wins the race. I find time in my day by listening to Audible (Digital recorded books) during my commute time. I listen to two, sometimes three books a month as I drive. I have about a 20-minute drive most days, and I use that time to build my business.
2. Treat Your Business like An Adult. Please do not think about your business as a diversion. Your business is needed according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the need for a psychotherapist is expected to rise 15% during the years of 2014-2024. Which, unfortunately, says to me that people are still having major mental wellness crisis’ that we need to be prepared for. So, open those separate bank accounts, get an EIN number, collect you copays, answer the phone, learn to market and use social media to the best of your ability. An adult business will treat you well.
3. Create an Excellent Looking Website. There is no excuse for not having a web presence anymore. People who might want to be your potential clients want to see you, hear you and try you on if you will (virtually). People connect to people, and they want to see you before they make a huge investment; especially millennials. Here again, our therapist self-doubt comes into play. I hear a therapist say “I can’t possibly put up a photo of me, I’m too fat until I lose weight or get a haircut or fill in the blank. There never is the right time. People want to see people, and they don’t care what you look like clients want to know how you will solve their pain. So work on getting a website up, post pictures of yourself, and your office and add a video if you can. Write copy to your ideal client and speak to their pain point. There are plenty of resources for creating a website you can hire a web developer, or use a drag and drop site like Squarespace or WordPress. Find a way and get something up there.

If you need more help on creating the business of your dreams, join me for a small group intensives in Southern California where you get to learn nuts and bolts of practice building. You can sign up by calling (951) 778-0230 or sign up under products.

By
Sheralyn (Sherry) Shockey-Pope, LMFT