A Counselors Journey To Private Practice

Welcome to A Counselors Journey To Private Practice. I'm your host, Juan.

Marketing doesn’t need to be icky. Through marketing, you can impact people by creating from a place of service. This is the ultimate message because it’s never about “how can I get clients?” Instead, it’s about “how can I serve clients?” Be who you are and be your genuine self. Please share your message, knowing that other people will hear it and connect with it.

Jennifer Sneeden explains how to get your phone to ring during COVID. COVID is the most significant opportunity that clinicians have been offered. Most of us are still shut down, and most places worldwide do not provide in-person visits. If we can think of ourselves as problem-solvers rather than clinicians, we can reframe our work differently. There has been a split in the past six months; half of the counselors are busier than they have ever been. The other half of counselors are struggling to find clients.

The counselors that were sneaking by before COVID are now starting to deal with their problems. However, the people that had marketing in place are doing exceptionally well. So, the counselors who are struggling to get their phone ringing need to think about it this way:

• What is the problem you are solving as a counselor?
• It’s up to the clinician to modify what we are offering during COVID.
• The issues our clients were facing before COVID are not the same problems that they are facing during COVID.
• Put together something unique for your clients. For instance, you can put together a fifteen-minute check-in with your clients each day.

Counselors are problem solvers. However, this doesn’t always come through in our marketing. Our clients want to see their therapists as other humans. They want to feel connected with their counselors. Clients don’t necessarily care how many certifications their counselor has. Instead, the counselor needs to focus on being another human in their marketing rather than someone with 1,000,000 credentials. If the problem you are trying to solve is getting more clients, then no anxiety certification will help you get those clients.
Once you figure out which problem you are trying to solve, the next step is consistentcy. Jennifer says it doesn’t matter what you do, as long as it’s consistent. The fact that you have a beautiful office doesn’t mean you’ll have clients. The biggest thing you can do is to do something consistently. The most significant problem that Jennifer sees is counselors are their best-kept secret. Get the word out there!

Learn more about Jennifer: https://thrivingtherapypractice.com

Are you interested in receiving help with your counseling business?
CLICK HERE

Thank you for listening.
Please leave an awesome review and subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss an episode in your journey of private practice.
I'm always looking for awesome counselors that are ready to share their story. Visit the link below, let's connect.
Visit http://acounselorsjourney.com/be-a-guest/
Watch the episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/AdhUc-Rq_xw
Visit the website: http://acounselorsjourney.com/

Welcome to A Counselors Journey To Private Practice. I'm your host, Juan.
5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started My Counseling Practice

1. Boundaries. Make sure you have boundaries in your personal life and your professional life. Your family calendar should not be mixed with your business calendar. The mixture will emotionally and mentally drain you; it will not let you think clearly in one area. For instance, when you write a blog for your business, you start thinking about what you're doing later with your family. The blurred line does not allow for a healthy entrepreneurial mindset. Take a step back and ask yourself, do I have boundaries between my personal life and my work life?

2. Work With Those Who Are A Good Fit. When we get out of graduate school, we see the massive list of specialties that we can work with. If you click all the specialties, you think it will increase someone's chance of working with you. However, there's a difference between your ideal client and just any old client. Take time and draw out your ideal client. Who do you really want to work with? When there's a tough session, will you still be excited to work with them again? Once you figure this out, it will reduce downfalls later down the road.

3. Make Sure That You Build Connections. It's essential to build relationships in private practice. Go to conferences and communicate with other professionals in the field. As a side note, if you're out there in graduate school, it may help create a social media platform. Create a Facebook group of other graduate students who are in the same field. That way, when you transition into private practice, you'll have a community and stability.

4. Figure Out What To Charge. When I started my journey, it was challenging to discuss the price with my clients. I would ask myself if I could offer my services for free. I know that's not possible, but it isn't easy to grapple with the price. First, we need to be comfortable with setting our fees. When we can hold integrity, we remain connected to who we are at our core.

5. Know How To Start And Close A Session. You need to know when to end the conversation. I struggled with closing a session. It can be awkward and difficult if you don't know what to say. You need to have a better structure. If your session is 45-minutes long, then end at the 40-minute mark. You can allow those five minutes to be transition time and scheduling time. In the intake session, please share with your clients what they can expect from closing a session. That way, there's a rhythmic system as things continue in your private practice.

BONUS: Learn More About Marketing. "If you build it, they will come." That's not true anymore. I wish I knew more about marketing before starting my private practice.
Are you interested in receiving help with your counseling business?
CLICK HERE

Thank you for listening.
Please leave an awesome review and subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss an episode in your journey of private practice.
I'm always looking for awesome counselors that are ready to share their story. Visit the link below, let's connect.
Visit http://acounselorsjourney.com/be-a-guest/
Watch the episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/PisyoAI4Dbo
Visit the website: http://acounselorsjourney.com/

Welcome to A Counselors Journey To Private Practice. I'm your host, Juan.
This episode is all about going From $0 to $50,000 in private practice. Here are some tips that will get you there smoothly:
Call People - reach out to your community. Call all counselor's in your area and let them know that you're starting a private practice. Break bread and get coffee with those counselors. That way, you can have some referrals moving forward.
Get Business Cards - Make sure you put a picture of yourself on the business card. That way, your client will know what you look like, and it can build an emotional connection.
Work With An Accountant - Get a separate bank account. Your business finances should not be mixed in with your personal finances. It may be beneficial to work with an accountant right away. That way, you do not miss essential deadlines like tax season!
Sublease An Office - Rent a space for $20 an hour instead of forking over thousands of dollars each month on office space. Subleasing is a significant way to cut overhead costs and keep your expenses low when you're just starting out in private practice.
Start Part-Time - Instead of diving into private practice, start part-time so you still have your full-time income to rely on. Once you get enough clients under your belt, it will be easier to leave your full-time gig behind.
Build A Website - Your website is your brand; make sure it is consistent. Sometimes, you need to spend money to earn money, so it may be more efficient to pay upfront rather than learn all the tech skills.
SEO - This is how your clients will find you. If you have keywords around your services, clients will be able to find you easier. One way you can do this is by writing blog posts.
Plus, Gordon gives tips on marketing your private practice:
ROI is much more important than figuring out a percentage. If you're going to spend $1,000 on advertising, you want to know that you're making a profit on that. If you spend $1,000 and it brings you twenty more clients, that will definitely be a good return on investment because you'll make money in the long-run. Think about what you spend on marketing and how you're making money in return.
Are you interested in receiving help with your counseling business?
CLICK HERE

Thank you for listening.
Please leave an awesome review and subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss an episode in your journey of private practice.
I'm always looking for awesome counselors that are ready to share their story. Visit the link below, let's connect.
Visit http://acounselorsjourney.com/be-a-guest/
Watch the episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/SsLKAam43U8
Visit the website: http://acounselorsjourney.com/

Welcome to A Counselors Journey To Private Practice. I'm your host, Juan.
In this episode, we cover Actions To Take To Go From 0 To 50 Thousand In Your Counseling Private Practice. Here are the key takeaways:

• Referral partners. Build relationships that support your counseling in private practice. If you work with kids, then your referring partner is probably a pediatrician.
• Focus on 1 to 3 social media platforms. At the beginning of building your private practice, take time to narrow your efforts versus spreading yourself thin in every social media platform.
• Pick one nitch that gives you space to expand on it. This way you are the to-go-to person for the areas of focus. As an example, select to be the person to go to for relationship counseling. Additional services you can provide can include marriage preparation, dating support, and so forth. Overall, the services are under the umbrella of the nitch.
• Consistency. Your practice will more than likely not be successful overnight. Small business has a large margin of failure. This is why it's important to be consistent. TO stick to a schedule that holds you accountable and aims to produce results.
• Return on Investment. Each month take time to evaluate what you are doing in your practice to ensure that the actions connect to a strong return. If you are spending time writing blogs, are the blogs producing a return? If not, time to make a change.
• Create systems. A business that is successful should be easy to replicate. Consider the franchise McDonalds. It's built on a system that gives new owners the opportunities to set up shop and reach success in little to no time. This is due to the systems that are in play. In your private practice, take time to have a structured system for areas that include but not limited to intake calls, scheduling, and more.
• Show up. Consider where your ideal client spends time. If you are a counselor that helps struggling parents, you may find yourself spending time on a Facebook group that is for parents. Show up in the group, be supportive, listen, and build relationships.
• Seek consultation. Thousands of professionals have taken a very similar journey to the one that you are in. Yours may have its creative edges. Yet, asking for help can provide amazing results. I've found myself countless times working with consultants or taking courses that sharpen my skills. I encourage you to do the same.

Are you interested in receiving help with your counseling business?
CLICK HERE

Thank you for listening.
Please leave an awesome review and subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss an episode in your journey of private practice.
I'm always looking for awesome counselors that are ready to share their story. Visit the link below, let's connect.
Visit http://acounselorsjourney.com/be-a-guest/
Watch the episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/M2d0z5ziQaw
Visit the website: http://acounselorsjourney.com/

Welcome to A Counselors Journey To Private Practice. I'm your host, Juan.
In this episode, we cover Ways To Market Your Counseling Private Practice. Here are the key takeaways:

• Consistency and repurposing. Always think ahead. If you do a video, take the content and create an infographic. If you have a Facebook business page, be consistent when you are marketing. Stick to a schedule.
• Use average Joe Terms. Focus your marketing on using average joe terms. Instead of “I utilize CBT to address cognitive distortions” transition to “I help people that want to have healthier thoughts”.
• Be a guest on other people’s platforms. This includes but not limited to blogs, podcasts, social media,...
• Start a podcast focused on your private practice. Each week share tips and tricks focused on what takes place in your counseling office. This gives the world a taste of who you are.
• Stay True To Yourself. Market-based on who you are at your core. If you feel comfortable doing YouTube then go for it. If that's not your style don't do it.
• Marketing has a lot to do with what works versus what doesn’t. What works in my private practice or city that I’m located in may not work for you.
• Business Cards. Having a clean and usable business card is effective in promoting your brand and marketing your practice. When it comes to the style of a business card my recommendation is to include the following: (a) a professional picture of yourself (b) location, phone number, and email of the practice (c) name of the practice (d) logo and (e) something that the person can use. For example, you can have a discount for the first session, or a punch card that gives a 50% off the session at the 10th session, or a short positive affirmation.
• HARO. Help A Reporter Out. Write for a reporter and see if you can get listed on a publication or major magazine. This is a great way to get your name out there. Click Here to read all about HARO.
• Focus on language.
  o If you are marketing a solo practice focus on “I”.
  o If you are marketing a group practice focus on “WE”.

Are you interested in receiving help with your counseling business?
CLICK HERE

Thank you for listening.
Please leave an awesome review and subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss an episode in your journey of private practice.
I'm always looking for awesome counselors that are ready to share their story. Visit the link below, let's connect.
Visit http://acounselorsjourney.com/be-a-guest/
Watch the episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/M2d0z5ziQaw
Visit the website: http://acounselorsjourney.com/