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In this episode, I am joined by Susan Orenstein, who works with individuals and couples to pursue a more peaceful, purposeful, and passionate life. Susan speaks about the process behind starting a podcast and what she has learned so far. We chat about creating content outside of the therapy room to help people on their healing journey. Tune in as we discuss other ways to expand your niche and turn your passions into creative and useful content. Meet Susan Orenstein Hi, I’m Susan Orenstein, Ph.D. For over twenty-five years, I’ve worked with individuals and couples that come to my counseling office in pursuit of a more peaceful, purposeful, and passionate life. Relationships are integral to that rich, fulfilling existence we all desire. Healthy relationships bolster our well-being while unhealthy relationships hinder our ability to thrive. That’s why I’m passionate about helping couples to either optimize their relationship or learn to let each other go so they can develop a nourishing, intimate connection elsewhere. Making Content For Clients Susan wants her work to be accessible to more people. So, she developed a podcast - it's called After The First Marriage. Plus, Susan has a free e-course that goes with it. She is creating a lot of content because Susan particularly loves the work that she does. In addition, Susan loves going online and looking at worksheets, reading, and joining groups. There are so many ways people can heal outside of the therapy room, and Susan wanted to help develop those things for her clients. Creating A Podcast In Susan's podcast, she gets to bring more of herself in. Susan gets to think about who interests her, who she wants to learn from, what she is reading, and who she wants to interview. Plus, Susan gets to create fun materials with her content. Also, Susan is learning that there are parts of her that she can bring into this process to expand her ability to be a therapist. For instance, Susan has learned about the effectiveness of self-disclosure when working with clients because it gives you more credibility when they can hear that a therapist has gone through similar struggles. Overall, with a podcast and creating content, it's fun to shake it up and to learn new things all the time. Normalizing Therapy Next, Susan speaks about working on tearing down the stigma that's still attached to being a therapy client. She wants to normalize these processes for people because almost everybody cares about having healthy relationships. Therefore, getting the skills to learn about this and making it approachable and accessible to people is critical to Susan. One way Susan helps people for free is through her podcast and social media. Plus, podcasting is more personal than blogging or written material because it's a better way to connect with the person on the other end. Even though you're just listening to a recording, you still make a connection through voice. Choosing Divorce As A Niche Professionally, Susan's favorite clients have been people who have been kicked to the curb. They are so down; they cannot get their head up, and they are so grateful to have therapy and have someone believe in them and have someone help them. That way, Susan can help her clients figure out what happened, so it doesn't happen again. Through therapy, Susan's clients regain self-esteem and gain some tools for intimacy in the future. Some of her very favorite clients have been people going through a divorce. Luckily, Susan can't say that she knows personally what divorce is like. However, she can say that she has never taken her husband for granted, and he has never taken Susan for granted. Client Themes Around Divorce When Susan sees somebody going through a divorce who didn't choose divorce, they are often very wounded, have hurt self-esteem and depression. Plus, there is anxiety, they question their attractiveness, and they question their desirability. After divorce, many people will suffer from self-doubt, low self-esteem, and even revenge fantasies. In addition, many times these people are angry, and they are bitter. Also, these people will look for ways to numb themselves so they may start drinking heavily, eating more, turning to relationships that aren't good for them in order to dull their feelings. While on the other hand, for the person who is initiating the divorce, there can be guilt and shame. Usually, these people want to know how they can help their children through the divorce process. Mainly, people want to be proactive, which is terrific. Lastly, another category is people that want the divorce, but don't think it's possible. For instance, someone might be staying in the marriage because of financial issues, or they are worried about their children's wellbeing. These are the trickiest and saddest situations because these people are almost like hostages. Expand Your Practice Outside The Therapy Room When expanding your practice, find some issues and topics that fascinate you that you want to learn about no matter what. That way, you can't go wrong. When you enjoy the information, you'll become an expert, and it will help fuel your energy. Also, when you love what you do, it will be harder to burnout. Another piece of advice is having a colleague help you. For instance, talking it out with someone can be a massive asset to your endeavors. It's also critical to have a set of trusted peers and colleagues that you can share information with.   Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Susan's Resources After The First Marriage After The First Marriage Podcast After The First Marriage Instagram  After The First Marriage Twitter Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Join my Focus Groups Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Google Workspace for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Join the Google Workspace (formerly G-Suite) for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @PracticeofTherapy on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.  

In this episode, Amber Benziger joins the show to speak about creating a membership program for our clients. Amber created The Anxiety Lab, a monthly membership program full of courses, workbooks, speakers, and educational content to help people manage their anxiety. First, we dive into talking about racism in a therapy setting, Amber speaks about her switch to telehealth, and then Amber reveals the inspiration behind The Anxiety Lab. Plus, Amber explains why we need to stop doubting ourselves; we can execute our great ideas and help even more people outside of the therapy room. Meet Amber Benziger Hey, I’m Amber, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional in the state of New Jersey. I am a therapist, an advocate, a feeler, and a flawed human.  My goals are to create an environment for women to come, explore and process their feelings; and heal from their troubles while growing in self-compassion and self-worth. I'm no stranger to anxiety and perfectionism and through my own journey of self-exploration, I fell in love with the therapeutic process. When I'm not in my therapy chair I'm a busy mom of two, a runner, a french bulldog enthusiast, and an avocado toast connoisseur.  I curse too much, I find solace at the beach, and I love spray painting stuff. Speaking About Racism In Therapy As a Black therapist, Amber thinks it is imperative for her to discuss racism and advocate for equality because of her unique perspective. A larger majority of Amber's practice is women of color. Lately, Amber has seen a lot of racial trauma and a lot of anxiety around the election. Racism isn't something new. However, it does have a spotlight on it. So, Amber is talking about much more in her practice than she ever has before. It is critical to hold space for racial issues still, primarily because they haven't gone away, and people still have those concerns and worry. Racism isn't a trend, it's something that has always been there, and it seems like something that will always be around. Switching To Telehealth Before the pandemic, Amber had one or two clients online, but her practice was basically in the office. So, during the pandemic, Amber had to make that switch to telehealth, like many practitioners. She was worried about how that transition would go, and luckily, her clients were fantastic. Plus, Amber has just seen her practice grow incredibly in the past few months with the pandemic. She even has a waiting list and has turned people away. However, it's a struggle for Amber because she wants to help people who are having a hard time. Sometimes, it can be heartbreaking to turn a client away. That's why Amber created her membership service, The Anxiety Lab. The Anxiety Lab The Anxiety Lab is a monthly membership program full of courses, workbooks, speakers, and educational content to help manage your anxiety. The program is accompanied by a private online Facebook community where you can interact with Amber and your peers. Amber created it because it was something that she felt like she needed during the pandemic. During Covid, living under the same roof with kids and spouses can be really stressful, and Amber became really anxious herself. Then, Amber started getting a bunch of calls and a bunch of people reaching out to her through social media platforms about working with her. That made Amber feel even more overwhelmed and stressed out. So, she had the idea of creating The Anxiety Lab. Creating A Membership Program Amber is not a technology person. So that was the part that overwhelmed her. As practitioners, we're always questioning if we know how to do all this next-level stuff. So, Amber did a lot of research, and she decided to use the platform Kajabi. It is great for membership services because it allows Amber to put the courses on there, and it allows for the community aspect. That way, Amber doesn't have to use a different tool, and she can do everything on Kajabi. It will even let you send out email marketing; it's like a one-stop-shop for everything you need to create a membership program. Marketing Your Membership Program Amber will market a lot through her social media platforms, specifically Instagram. Amber will make connections on Instagram with other therapists and private practice owners. Plus, she jumps on Instagram Live with people who have a larger following. In addition, Amber dabbles with Facebook Ads; it's something that she still needs to learn more about. Overall, Amber utilizes a lot of word of mouth to get people to The Anxiety Lab. Plus, her therapist friends have been a lot of help when it comes to spreading the word. Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Amber's Resources Vitality Behavior Health Vitality Behavior Health on Facebook Amber on Instagram The Anxiety Lab Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Training Webinar Join my Focus Groups Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @PracticeofTherapy on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.

In this episode, Angela James joins the show. Amidst the pandemic, Angela opened Classroom to Couch, which is her private practice coaching business. We talk all about the importance of community over competition. In private practice, other therapists aren’t your competition; they are your community and a great referral source. Later, Angela gives her three-step process to opening a private practice. Plus, we talk about making the switch to telehealth and why it has never been easier to open a private practice. Meet Angela James My name is Angela James and I'm a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in California. I've been practicing as a therapist for over 13 years and am grateful to be doing what I love. I'm nationally certified in TF-CBT which focuses on the treatment of Trauma in youth. I am a strong believer in the brain's ability to heal from past traumas and for PTSD to be seen as curable, given the right therapeutic intervention. I also specialize in helping adult women overcome anxiety and panic disorder related symptoms. I've always been passionate about helping others reach their full potential, so when I noticed myself eager to assist Therapists in opening their own Private Practice, it only seemed natural to develop this part of my professional career. Amidst this Pandemic, I opened Classroom to Couch which is my Private Practice coaching business. I am thrilled to see other mental health professionals reach their small business dreams and absolutely love being a small part of that process. Community Not Competition Therapists will view other therapists as their competition; it’s a huge mistake. Angela says that private practice made her step out of her comfort zone and connect with other therapists. With a scarcity mindset, therapists think that all other therapists are their competition. However, it’s simply not the case. When you build relationships with other therapists, you can refer potential clients to each other. Not everyone has the same niche, so your ideal client will not be another therapist’s ideal client. In fact, Angela says that other therapists are her number one referral source. Connect with other therapists in the community and get to know them so you can generate more referrals. Angela’s Three-Step Process Angela helps therapists using a three-step process. Step one is all about business basics; that’s Angela’s biggest passion. With Angela, you’ll talk about the different business structures and which one could be a good fit for you. Step two is all about HIPAA compliance. Step three is all about networking, advertising, and marketing. Angela will teach you all about how to get the best referrals and how to network with other therapists in private practice. Plus, Angela says that her program is affordable and attainable. Switching To Telehealth Angela built an entire telehealth practice in the span of the weekend when the pandemic started. Luckily, Angela didn’t lose very many clients. Even some that were unsure about telehealth eventually came back and gave it a shot. A lot of teenagers are actually a lot more comfortable with therapy via telehealth. At first, Angela struggled. However, she adapted and grew. The best part is that Angela can see clients from all over the state of California. Now, she has access to tons of people that she didn’t before; it’s incredible. Plus, Angela’s coaching business was born out of Covid. You don’t need a lot of money to start a telehealth practice, and now you have access to so many more clients. In the mental health world, Covid hasn’t been a bad thing from the professional side. Starting A Private Practice The easiest way to get started in private practice is to create a telehealth practice from your house. There are not a lot of start-up costs to get it going. The earliest that Angela will be back in her office is in August. After the pandemic, telehealth isn’t going anywhere. Moving forward, Angela will integrate both telehealth and in-person days so she can meet everyone’s needs. Plus, with telehealth, you can see people from all over the state; it’s a massive game-changer for your private practice. Also, Angela encourages clinicians to keep telehealth as part of their practice because people prefer it and it expands their reach. Telehealth is a considerable convenience; people no longer have to take off work to see their therapist.   Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Angela's Resources Angela's Website Angela's LinkedIn Angela's Facebook Angela's Instagram Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Join my Focus Groups Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @PracticeofTherapy on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.  

"If you don't know where you're going, then how are you going to get there?" It's essential to have goals that are tangible and written down. In this episode, I walk you through part of the process that I use to develop plans for myself and how I'm able to stay on track and organized. As you move through 2021, one of the things that I would encourage you to do is to spend some time writing things down and doing quarterly reviews. Tune in as I talk about planners, SMART goals, and The Big 3. Find A Planner When we think about goal setting and all that we do to run a practice and manage our own lives, I think it's essential to have some goals. Make sure that your goals are tangible and written down.  You have a forty percent greater chance of completing a goal just merely by writing it down. One of the tools that I use pretty consistently now and for the last several years is the Michael Hyatt Full Focus Planner. My friend Michelle makes another planner that I recommend. You can hear Michelle Hardman, LPC from The Primed Practice on TPOT 101; the planner she developed is called the Primed Planner. It is one that she created specifically for therapists. Whichever tool you choose to use, I think it's good to have a way that you can use to keep yourself organized and on track. Know Your Domains The other thing about having a plan or having a system is it should be very goal-directed because, like the quote says, "if you don't know where you're going, how are you going to get there?" It's essential to break things down into smaller pieces to know how to accomplish what you want to achieve for the year. I think the other thing about goal setting is that when we think about our lives, our businesses, and what we do in our practices, we have many different domains or different areas of our life. Most of us are kind of interconnected; we have our home life, private life, what we do with our friends and family, and all of that. There is probably a whole set of goals that you want to have around your personal life, like your health, taking care of yourself, and self-care. Then we have our business goals that revolve around our private practices. Think about what growth you want to have, how you want to build your practice, the milestones you wish to set for yourself, and moving forward in your practice. Brain Dump One exercise that I think is always helpful is, and this is my brain dump exercise. Use your planner, and jot down and label each of the domains in your life. For example, you might have your practice; you might have a church community domain, personal finances domain, and business finances. Plus, you've got your family life; you have your immediate family and extended family. It's essential to jot those down, and then under those different domains, do a brain dump. When we write things down, our brains process that information a little differently. The Big 3 The Big 3 allows you to work on three big goals per quarter. When working on big goals, break them down into smaller pieces. There's a thing called SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). When you think about making goals, they need to be specific. They need to be measurable, and they need to be actionable. They also need to be risky to some degree. In other words, you need to get out of your comfort zone a little bit with making goals. Goals need to be time-sensitive. You need to be able to have an end date in mind when setting a goal. Also, they need to be exciting and something that you can get behind rather than something you dread. Lastly, goals should be relevant and aligned with your own values.   Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Focus Groups Consulting The Primed Planner Michelle Hardman | Having A Primed Practice | TPOT 101 Full Focus Planner FranklinCovey Getting Things Done Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @PracticeofTherapy on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.

How are you and your clients handling the climate of 2020 in and out of the therapy room? In this episode, we revisit some episodes where private practice owners give their thoughts on social justice in and out of the therapy room. We talk all about mental health in the Black community, healing through trauma, finding hope in 2020, and the Black Lives Matter movement. This episode features clips from Bewindi Bobb, LaToya Smith, Linda Sanderville, and Danielle Branche. Meet Bewindi Bobb Bewindi was born and raised in the beautiful, gorgeous Island of St. Lucia in the Caribbean. Her journey towards accepting the calling to be a counselor is interesting, but let’s just say, she eventually stopped running (insert laughter) and realized that being a counselor is not just a  profession but a God-given and ordained calling and ministry. Bewindi is super passionate about seeing people become free to live happily and free from emotional baggage, free from whatever is blocking, delaying, or hindering their healing. She loves the opportunity to create a safe space where clients receive permission to express themselves, their feelings, and find themselves while gaining a new and changed perspective. She helps professionals who are dealing with unresolved emotional conflicts such as depression, anxiety, grief, stress, etc live freely by equipping them with tools to renew their mindsets. She loves to encourage and empower clients and when they apply the tools, they are able to show up for themselves and be their best selves in all areas of their lives. Additionally, she provides Christ-Centered Counseling to whom it applies and for those who request. With over 14 years of clinical experience, she is driven and fueled by her professional and personal values including but not limited to Faith, Empower, Purpose, Service, Encourage, and Teach. She is so honored to be in this space and knows that whether she is providing therapy, coaching, supervision or speaking to an audience or on her podcast, ‘Empowered to Empower You’, which can be found on Spotify, Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Google, etc, she is convinced that people are definitely encouraged and ignited. Black Lives Matter Bewindi has a set of values that anchor her practice and a set of values that anchor her personal life. Faith is a tremendous value for Bewindi. If she combines all of her values, Bewindi believes that Black Lives Matter. Bewindi is honored that 99% of her practice is Black people. One of the messages that Bewindi takes from these times is that we need to invest in our mental health. Mental Health in the Black Community Mental health is a stigma in the Black community and the Asian community. It’s awful that it took things like this to happen for people to seek mental health. However, Black people have been reaching out for mental health help now more than ever. People are experiencing so many losses, and they are so angry. The Black Lives Matter movement gives an outlet for our feelings. Bewindi is thankful that people recognize the need for mental health care. It’s time to permit yourself to feel without being judged. Meet LaToya Smith LaToya is the owner of LCS Counseling and Consulting Agency in Fortworth Texas. She firmly believes that people don’t have to remain stuck in their pain or the place they became wounded. She encourages her clients to be active in their treatment and work towards their desired outcome. Preventing Divison Vulnerability will build courage. The most authentic stories allow us to be seen, and that is how the connection is made. When we put words to our pain and our emotions, then we light up. Story will help bridge the gaps. We need to learn to set things aside, listen, and connect through stories and experiences. It will help tear down walls and prevent division. When we are willing to hear other people’s pain, we realize that strangers are no different from us. Healing During 2020 It’s hard to heal; there is always something. 2020 has been devastating. You can’t stop to catch your breath. It’s so heavy, and therapists are overwhelmed. If your clients are still being traumatized, then it’s going to be hard to heal. Even Black therapists are having a hard time. It’s a lot to process, and unfortunately, it’s not new. People who are not Black can empathize with the community. A faithful ally will do something to prove that they are anti-racist. LaToya has been part of peaceful protests, and she sees change happening. When you are walking through the protests, you don’t get all the love back. If you’re out at the protests, then you need to practice mental health. There are people out there doing the work that needs to be done, reach out to them, and lend a helping hand. Meet Linda Sanderville Ready to receive greater abundance in your private practice? Without guilt, fear, or self-sabotage? Linda Sanderville helps therapists move beyond the initial stage of practice building, to increase profits through subconscious work, trauma release, and authentic business design. Working with Linda means growing your income in the next stage of your private practice, with all of the clarity and impact, and none of the scramble to hustle harder. She has an uncanny intuition for pinpointing your limiting beliefs and getting you unstuck so you can master your unique business strategy! When she’s not working on unlocking your unlimited potential, you’ll find Linda watching Arrested Development on perpetual repeat, and happily downing a vegan doughnut or an apple-ginger green smoothie. Don’t be surprised if you hear her adorable toddler sounding loud and proud in the background of a Zoom call! Finding A Liberated Identity Recognize the effects of how you can tend toward devaluation of yourself as a result of other experiences. These effects should not be impacting your private practice. As a Black woman, Linda thinks about how she would do things if she had white man confidence. In general, women do not ask for more money, they don’t ask for raises, and they don’t ask for promotions. We have a responsibility to take care of ourselves emotionally, financially, and physically. It’s time that we take control of our own lives and make our wildest dreams come true. Meet Danielle Branche If you ask any therapist why they were drawn to this profession, most of them would answer with, “I wanted to help people”. While this is true, it is much deeper. Danielle wanted to help people navigate through life in more fulfilling ways. She aspired to teach people how to be in a relationship with their mothers and fathers. Danielle wanted to give couples the tools they need to be the husbands and wives they want to be, not the ones their parents were. Her commitment is to do just that. *Danielle is no longer working out of the Largo area* Danielle’s main focus is working with couples around issues of trust, communication, forgiveness after infidelity, intimacy, sex, and decision making (finances, children, etc.). She does pre-marital therapy and marital/relational enrichment. Danielle mainly uses Emotion-Focused Therapy & Solution-Focused Therapy. Danielle also sees individuals and does group therapy. As a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist, Danielle is trained in understanding how to see things relationally, not just individually. She is versed in locating where behaviors, beliefs, ideas, and feelings originate, how they affect our lives and relationships, and how to effectively manage and/or change them. Feeling Hopeful in 2020 Danielle says that she has to do a lot of self-care. In staff meetings, they do vision boards. Sometimes, they also vent during staff meetings and chat about the different impacts. Danielle encourages her therapists to be in therapy themselves. As a Black clinician who sees a lot of African American clients, it can be cumbersome. Her clients are feeling hopeless. While on the other hand, some are feeling more hopeful about the changes happening in the country. Overall, Danielle says it’s critical to take care of yourself so you can take care of others. Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Bewindi’s Resources Empowered to Empower You Twitter Instagram Therapy For Black Girls LaToya’s Resources Visit LaToya’s Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Linda’s Resources LinkedIn Facebook Website Instagram linda@lindasanderville.com Danielle’s Resources …And I Still Love You: The Art of Loving Imperfect People Branches of Life Facebook Instagram Resources  Use the promo code “GORDON” to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Solo to Group Practice: Adding More Therapists to Grow Your Time & Income Focus Groups Consulting Brighter Vision Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Get your FREE Private Practice Start-Up Guide! Brighter Vision G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @PracticeOfTherapy on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn and Pinterest “Like” us on Facebook

This week on The Practice of Therapy, we revisit some of our favorite conversations about self-care. As COVID continues and therapists are needed more than ever, it's a great time to rethink your self-care routine. Enjoy the episode as we hear from Kati Morton, LaTonya Shelton, LaRonda Starling, and Veronica Cisneros. Tune in as we explore planning self-care time, spiritual self-care, and practicing self-care unapologetically. Meet Kati Morton, LMFT Kati Morton, LMFT holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and is a licensed marriage and family therapist. In addition, she is a certified dialectical and behavior therapist and grief counselor and a member of The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. She runs a private practice in Santa Monica, CA. Over the past seven years, Kati has leveraged social media to share mental health information worldwide through video. Her specialties include working with individuals experiencing eating disorders and self-harming behaviors, although she addresses all things related to mental health. Kati is well known for her YouTube channel which now has over 820 thousand subscribers and over 50 million views. In addition to her YouTube channel and strong presence on social media, she has appeared on the CBS The Doctors, HLN/CNN “Dr. Drew On Call,” E! News, KTLA, Fox News. She also has been featured in CNN, VICE, Glamour UK, Huffington Post, Yahoo, VOX, and many more. Kati released her first book, Are u ok?: A Guide to Caring for Your Mental Health in December 2018. Kati’s passion is to increase awareness about mental health. Her online community has expanded to all major internet platforms, allowing her to answer mental health questions from her followers around the world. She hopes by doing this, the global community can push for better services worldwide and remove the stigma associated with getting help. Thinking Outside the Box Kati’s husband pushed her to take the leap into social media. Kati’s colleagues have been supportive; however, they don’t always understand it. Eight years ago, her peers didn’t realize how confidentiality would work over social media. Other clinicians give her pushback on the way she thinks about things. The most significant pushback Kati got was when she said therapy should be working toward a goal. Kati says we should be learning new tools that we can utilize in life. We shouldn’t be using our therapist as a crutch. Staying Organized and Maximizing Your Time Kati started scheduling self-care in her calendar – it cannot be rescheduled. Kati isn’t afraid to outsource the things she can’t do. Kati has a team of people behind the scenes which lets her do creative work in her free time. Initially, she was nervous to bring people to her team. However, scheduling doesn’t need to be done by herself. If you don’t have time to clean your house, you should have someone come and clean it for you. Meet LaTonya Shelton LaTonya N. Shelton, LCSW, RYT, the owner of Red Jasper Counseling, PLLC, located in Nashville, TN. Her practice specializes in providing treatment for trauma, anxiety, and depression. She is a licensed clinical social worker and yoga instructor who integrates somatic (body-centered) psychotherapy practices and mindfulness in her work with clients.   LaTonya embodies a deep passion for helping individuals learn, heal, and grow. She believes that by helping others understand and navigate difficult emotions, clients can experience relief, improved health, and regain control of their lives.   Doing Things Your Own Way LaTonya is a self-starter. It is so easy to get overwhelmed and inundated with all of the information that’s out there. There are a lot of opportunities for mastermind groups and business coaching. With all the information, it’s so easy to get overwhelmed. You need to start somewhere. Plus, you’re not going to get it right and perfect in the beginning. However, that’s the beauty of starting and moving forward on a journey. Make it your own! Self-Care For Private Practice Owners Self-care is such a buzzword these days. Some of the self-care that LaTonya engages in is very simple. She enjoys a cup of coffee most mornings with her dog walking in the park, and that works well for LaTonya. Do the things that get you out in nature. Reading, talking, and being around people that support you will also be essential. These things have been the crux of LaTonya’s self-care. Take the Leap of Faith Throw your limiting beliefs out the window. Show up and do the work that you want to do. LaTonya is a dreamer, but also a planner. Being organized, balanced, and flexible will assist in your private practice journey. Are you wondering if you should take the leap into private practice? It’s going to be scary, and there’s going to be peaks and valleys, but start, and you’ll find your way. You’ll meet great people like Gordon. Plus, LaTonya met people in mastermind and focus groups. Meet LaRonda Starling Dr. LaRonda Starling is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas, a National Certified Counselor, an adjunct professor at a Christian university, and the author of Be Still: Spiritual Self-Care for Mental Health Professionals. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, a Master of Science degree in Counseling, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology. As a clinician, Dr. Starling provides therapeutic services (psychological assessment and counseling) in a private practice setting. Along with her clinical experience as a mental health professional, Dr. Starling has over fifteen years of experience working in academic environments; first as a staff member and then as adjunct faculty in both classroom and online settings. In all that she does (working or volunteering), she hopes that God receives the glory as she uses the gifts He has so graciously given her. Why Private Practice Owners Need to Practice Self-Care Private practice owners need to take time for themselves. When you work for yourself, you have so many roles to take on. There is always a time where you could be doing some work. One of the things that LaRonda suggests is to be still. Sometimes that means to physically be still – stop being so busy during the day. Also, you need to spiritually be still. Find the Good in Your Day Who is God as a person? If you know that God is everywhere, then we can lean on God. Also, be intentional about prayer. Sometimes we only pray when something terrible happens. We need to take the time throughout the day to pray. Throughout the day, think about what is good. What’s the silver-lining of quarantine? Maybe you learned how to use teletherapy, that’s a fantastic silver-lining during this time. Meet Veronica Cisneros Veronica is a licensed marriage and family therapist, motivational speaker, mother of three, and wife of her beloved husband of 20 years. Through personal experience, she has defeated life’s challenges by leaning into fear unapologetically. She’s taught hundreds of women how to take ownership of their lives, lean into fear, and let go of judgment. However, this is not a big enough impact and she learned to empower the millions of women worldwide who suffer. She focuses on creating true change, encouraging women to no longer compromise themselves in order to meet the needs of others. Vulnerability A lot of therapists’ lack vulnerability – Veronica sees this frequently. There’s a fear of being exposed. If a therapist exposes their true self, then what are other people going to think? If someone knew their reality, then what would people say? Veronica says that therapists are wrapped up in their identity as a therapist. When you take away your therapist role, then who are you? When is the last time you engaged in one of your hobbies? It’s time that therapists start thinking about themselves and give themselves permission to be real humans and show their vulnerabilities. Empower Your Life Veronica thought about the life she wanted to live. She wants to be a connected and exceptional mom and wife. Then, Veronica thought about what was standing in her way. She looked at herself and examined what she was doing. Eventually, Veronica realized that she didn’t think she was deserving. Her house was at a higher ranking than herself. She looked at her life and how she wanted to change it. Instead of thinking she wasn’t worth it, she decided to create her perfect day. For instance, when Veronica sleeps in, she gives herself grace. She permits herself to do the things that she wants to do. Take Action Veronica used to wake up to a checklist and would yell at her kids because they were late for school. She found herself irritated the moment she woke up. Veronica realized it was her fault – she needed to ask her husband for help. What boundaries have you set, and how have you asserted yourself? Veronica never asked her husband for help. Instead, she felt resentful. Plus, she felt guilt and shame for screaming first thing in the morning. Veronica knew something needed to change. She could have blamed her kids and her husband. Instead, Veronica decided to take action. She asked for help and let go of perfection.   Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Kati’s Resources For more information about Kati, please click here. Are U OK? A Guide to Caring for Your Mental Health YouTube Facebook Instagram LaTonya’s Resources LaTonya’s Website Email: info@redjaspercounseling.com Phone: (615) 606-2964 Facebook Instagram LaRonda’s Resources Grace Psychological Health Services, PLLC Be Still: Spiritual Self-Care for Mental Health Professionals Veronica’s Resources Website Podcast Facebook Group Instagram Resources  Use the promo code “GORDON” to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Focus Groups Consulting Brighter Vision Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Get your FREE Private Practice Start-Up Guide! Brighter Vision G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @PracticeOfTherapy on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn and Pinterest “Like” us on Facebook

The shift to telehealth has just created a massive change for a lot of us in private practice. So this episode is all about diving into restructuring your practice. First, ask yourself why you started a private practice, and think about why you want to restructure your practice. Once you know why you can begin to focus on restructuring your workflow. Sometimes, certain aspects of your workflow can be made more straightforward; simple is always better. Stay tuned as I talk about restructuring your finances, increasing your rates, and giving your website a facelift. Start With Why When we think about our why - go back and think about why you wanted to go into private practice, to begin with. What motivates you to have a practice? For a lot of people, they want the autonomy that it brings. Also, it creates a more significant earning potential for us. So, why do you want to restructure your practice? Perhaps your systems and processes have become overly complicated. Maybe your stress levels continue to rise because of things within the practice that cause you a lot of headaches. Look At Your Workflow From the time that a new client contacts your practice, what takes place? One client is easy, but if you start getting ten clients a week, what’s the workflow around that? Who is in charge of the workflow? Map this out! The intake procedure should be simple for the client. Think about ways that you can make it easy. Now that everything is online, the process should be as user-friendly as possible. Plus, the process should also be easy for you as a clinician. In private practice, there is an overlap between the clinical and business sides. Keep those processes separate from each other. Having an electronic health record system will help you keep these things separate. Ditch Your Deadwood There are probably things in your workflow that you don’t need. Simple is always better. Writing session notes can be a massive headache for clinicians. Newer therapists will go into so much detail in their session notes. It will be an entire narrative of everything that took place in the session. This is something that you can cut back on. Progress notes are a reminder for you as a clinician of what you did in that session. If you have things that give you the theme of the session, then that should be documented. Session Note Helper Your progress notes should only take about five or ten minutes to complete. If they are taking longer than that, you need to streamline it more. People can get really backed up on client documentation. The Session Note Helper is a set of templates that I created. It uses an add-on called Form Publisher that is HIPAA secure. You can check off boxes about what you did in the session. Then, the Form Publisher will create a narrative based on what you checked on the form. You can find out more about the Session Note Helper here. I created this to make my workflow easier. Because it’s in a Google Doc format, I can just copy and paste what I wrote there into TherapyNotes. Understanding Your Profits One mistake that most people will make is looking at their bank account and thinking they don’t have to worry. You need to do a deeper dive into your profitability. Look at the profits at least once a quarter. Make sure that what you are bringing in is making a profit for yourself, and it’s sustainable. Look at your numbers and think about restructuring your payment system. Anytime there is a change in the pay system, it can be painful. However, once you rip the band-aid off, it can bring long-term benefits. If you will restructure how you pay your clinicians in a group practice, set a deadline for yourself. The first of the year is an excellent time to change things; it’s natural. Restructure Your Prices If you are insurance-based, look at those contracts and which ones are going to renew. You can set up a new fee structure if the contract is going to be up. There is a shortage of mental health providers. One of the things that are coming out of 2020 is insurance pay is going up. The first of the year is an excellent time to go up on your fees. Think about what a reasonable increase would be. Going up on your fees is one way to become more profitable. If you go up on your fees, there are a few ways to deal with current clients. You can raise your current client’s fees, or you can keep them at the current rate. There is no right or wrong way of doing this. The main thing is, you should be looking at your fees, making sure it’s increasing to keep up with inflation.   Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Focus Groups Consulting Brighter Vision Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course (use code julie2020) The Group Practice Outfitter Waitlist  G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @PracticeofTherapy on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.  

This episode is all about embracing the changes that 2020 has thrown at us. As we adjust to the new normal, it's time to think about what opportunities we can find. For instance, if you haven't already, maybe it's time to ditch your physical office and go full-time into telehealth. Also, it's time to start thinking about diversifying your income through Gumroad or Teachable. Tune in as I speak about all sorts of ways you can embrace the curveball that is 2020.  Start With Your Why What are your priorities? Why do you want to be in practice? Why do you want to do the things that you do? This year we learned a lot about making a transition to a whole new business model, and that's the switch to telehealth. Frankly, telehealth will become the new normal over the next year. So, it's time that you think about how you have your practice structured and set up. One of the things about being online is that your office space becomes less important. You don't need the furniture anymore! Think About Your Practice Moving Forward The boundaries around the types of people you can see for therapy has now widened a great deal. Your potential client base can be the entire state you are licensed in. So, how are you going to start to market your practice? You can think about a broader reach. Does your website need to be updated? This could be a great time to make upgrades and changes. That way, it will reflect that you can see clients from a broader geographic location. Think about doing things in different ways. It's A Great Time For Private Practice Owners There is such a demand for mental health services during 2020. When you switch to telehealth, it will reduce the geographic bounds of what you do. Are you thinking about having a group practice? The therapists that you can hire has now broadened too; they no longer have to commute! The pandemic allows for more work and less commute time. It's time to think about things differently. Write Down Your New Priorities When you write down your new priorities, it will help with the overwhelm. When we are overwhelmed, there will be a sense of anxiety. To battle anxiety, do a brain dump! In your planner, make a list and write down everything that captures your attention at the moment. It's a journaling exercise in many ways, and it gives us a new perspective on things. Why You Need To Embrace Change Our routines have been turned upside down. Particularly for those who have children. It's challenging to navigate work with homeschooling. We need to accept the fact that our routines are messed up. Now, it's time to look at small ways to change our routine and make it work for us. We are creatures of habits, and we get used to doing things the same way each time. When we change that up, it becomes unsettling. Instead, we need to focus on self-care. If you want to learn more about practicing self-care as a private practice owner, listen to my episode with Veronica Cisneros: Unapologetic Self-Care in Private Practice. The Importance Of Connecting With Others The pandemic has caused us to feel isolated and disconnected from people that matter most to us. Thanksgiving is around the corner. However, many of us have pulled back from our traditions, and we are not getting together with family. It's a hard decision to make. Allow yourself to embrace change, lean into it, and take ownership of how you will reorganize your life. We think about our relationships with others differently during 2020 – embrace it! I recently did an episode with Kathryn Esquer about connecting with other private practice owners during 2020. You can listen to the episode HERE. Plus, try The Teletherapist Network for two weeks free using my link: https://teletherapistnetwork.com/gordon. Diversify Your Income There are so many great opportunities to create income for yourself in the online space. For instance, you can sell digital products or some sort of activity you'd like to share with other therapists. To sell those digital products, like Paperwork Packets and the Session Note Helper, I use Gumroad. Another idea for creating additional income streams is doing online courses. I know for many of us that once we got out of graduate school, we loved teaching other people things. There is an excellent opportunity to increase income, and that's by creating online courses or seminars, that kind of thing. The platform I use for that is Teachable. Give yourself permission to think outside the box and create other income streams for yourself so that you're not solely dependent on client interactions. Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Teachable Gumroad Brighter Vision Listen to Private Practice Elevation Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course (use code julie2020) The Group Practice Outfitter Waitlist  G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @PracticeofTherapy on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.  

In this episode, Faith Dulin and I talk about her experiences as a new therapist and working on boundaries with people. As therapists, we like to be accommodating. However, people-pleasing will take a toll over an extended period of time. One way that Faith works on her boundaries is by seeing her own therapist. Plus, we talk about working with clients who are challenging to engage with, and we give tips on building rapport with clients upfront. Meet Faith Dulin I moved to Charlotte from the West Coast 20+ years ago. I have a military background and worked uptown in corporate America before completing my degrees in Psychology, Sociology, and Marriage and Family Therapy. In my free time, I gush over dogs on Instagram, enjoy sports, and like taking pictures. My counseling style is a balance between challenging and cheer-leading. I have a contemporary approach that’s less theory-oriented and more real talk. I’m not reclined in my chair with a monocle, analyzing your every move. I’m listening, I’m curious, I’m aware that behaviors make sense in context. I want to understand you and know what you want in life so we can figure out how to get there. I provide helpful feedback, compassionate support, and take-home strategies and tools. The relationship you have with yourself sets the tone for all other relationships, and I want to empower you to create the love and life you deserve. In addition to supporting relationships, I work with individual men and women. I'm located near uptown and have evening appointments. Check out my website to see if I'd be a good fit for you. Boundaries Faith is putting together a book around the concept of boundaries that doesn't have a religious foundation. There are practical ways to set boundaries without feeling like a jerk. Therapists can struggle with boundaries. For example, some therapists will become heavily invested in their client's lives and their success. Another example of poor boundaries is when a therapist may have social media interactions with their clients. Sometimes, therapists will talk to their clients over the weekend. Also, therapists that handle money will have a challenging time setting a boundary with their clients. We need to continue to work on boundaries. One way that Faith works on her boundaries is by seeing her own therapist. Working With Difficult Clients In graduate school, therapists are told they should be gentle and non-confrontational. Everyone has a different style of working with clients. Faith says that she likes to be direct and confrontational. It's essential to label behaviors, even if it isn't warmly received. If a client does not take the label well, it's probably not the right fit for Faith. Clients need to find a therapist that's a good fit for them. If you are not the right therapist for a client, then you shouldn't take it personally. The client must benefit from therapy. If the client doesn't work well with you, it will be best for both of you to go separate ways. Working With Difficult Men Faith tends to get male clients that hate therapy – they think it's a bunch of BS. When it's a couple, Faith says that their wife has made them go to therapy. However, men like when Faith gives it to them straight. It's essential to build rapport and trust with your clients. For Faith, she works with police and first responders. A lot of times, these men will come and test her as a therapist. They want to know if their trauma will rattle you. Faith likes to hold a safe space for clients so that they will learn to trust her. When you have that trust, then your relationship with clients can withstand challenging moments in therapy. Creating A False Mutual Pretense Therapists can create false mutual pretense. When someone is resistant to therapy, then they are probably testing you out. We should be able to label that dynamic from the beginning. Gordon will ask their clients what sort of experiences they have had with therapy in the past. He says that talking to strangers about personal stuff isn't on anyone's top ten list of things to do. Gordon will let his clients know that he admires their bravery to talk to him. That way, people will let their guard down. Gordon learned this when working with teenagers; they can be resistant to therapy. It's crazy to spill your guts to a total stranger! So we must acknowledge this aspect of therapy. Building Credibility With Clients You can share personal things with clients to build your credibility. Clients feel better about a therapist that does a bit of self-disclosure about their struggles. It will help deal with demanding clients. There are some clients that you have to spend more time engaging and aligning. The client must buy into the therapeutic process so they will share and open up with their therapist. Listen to Jeff Geunther on The Practice of Therapy to learn more about self-disclosure in the therapy room. Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Faith's Resources Harmony Psychotherapy Instagram Facebook Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course (use code julie2020) Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life The Group Practice Outfitter Waitlist  Listen to Say More About That Listen to Jeff Geunther on The Practice of Therapy G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @PracticeofTherapy on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.  

As a telehealth therapist, do you ever feel alone? My guest, Kathryn Esquer, knows exactly what this feels like. She misses the daily interactions with fellow mental health professionals. That’s why Kathryn created the Teletherapist Network, an organization for the next generation of therapists in private practice. Tune in as Kathryn speaks about how she created a community, politics in the therapy room, and the benefits of finding your network.  Meet Kathryn Esquer Kathryn Esquer is a Clinical Psychologist and MBA graduate. She currently works in her rural hometown in central Pennsylvania providing outpatient mental health services integrated into primary care. She loved her career, but COVID helped her realize that something was missing from her private practice. The clinical work was rewarding, but she felt professionally isolated and uninspired. She also knew consultation was a critical part of the ethical practice but didn't know where to find it. So, Kathryn created the Teletherapist Network for modern therapists to crowdsource the knowledge and experiences of other private practice teletherapists so that members can develop their clinical and business skills, all while staying connected to their mission and preventing burnout. Teletherapist Network  Don’t practice teletherapy alone. Join a premier organization for the next generation of therapists in private practice at Teletherapist Network. Kathryn Esquer explains the inspiration behind her network. When COVID hit, there were loads of challenges that therapists experienced. Once we had to switch to telehealth, it felt professionally isolating and uninspiring. No longer did we have peers or other people in the mental health trenches. As a problem solver, Kathryn wanted to find people to connect with. Thus, the Teletherapist Network was born!  Creating A Community Kathryn uses a platform that does all the technical stuff for you. Weekly, they do mindfulness exercises and questions. Plus, they consult with each other and have live consultations every other week via Zoom. Each week, they highlight a new member – they get to know each other on a deep level. People get to pick their brains all day. Therapists will ask questions, and the group gets to benefit from the collective knowledge. Plus, they have guest expert webinars coming in every month. Industry professionals will teach something new to the community. It’s a neat way to connect with people who want to help private practice owners. Now, Kathryn feels more inspired to better herself as a clinician. It’s easy to get out there and learn new things in the Teletherapist Network.  Politics In The Therapy Room Do you disclose your political affiliations or beliefs in the therapy room? We should be aware of what we personally bring into the therapy room and keep it in check. The only way to do that is to consult with peers. There’s a lot of political conversations happening in Kathryn’s community. It’s a skill to have civil discourse with your peers. This year, in general, has been challenging with COVID and the election. A lot of things are affecting our therapy internally. Finding a community will be essential for a therapist.  You’re Not Alone You’re not alone in feeling isolated or uninspired as a private practice owner. It’s scary that this community wouldn’t have happened without COVID-19. Kathryn is glad she has the community to stay on top of best practices and resources. When she started the network, over 150 people were looking to join the group. There’s an overwhelming response for the community – you’re not alone! Therapists need to speak with their peers. If you’re feeling a little isolated, find a community of support. With telehealth becoming so prominent, the barriers to entry for private practice are very low. If you recently went out on your own, you can learn loads in the Teletherapist Network.   Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Kathryn's Resources Teletherapist Network Teletherapy Podcast Kathryn@teletherapistnetwork.com Instagram Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Learn more about Flywheel Listen to The Private Practice Elevation Podcast The Group Practice Outfitter Waitlist  G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @PracticeofTherapy on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.  

In this episode, Julie Herres interviews Gordon about how great clinicians can fail. First, clinicians can fail when they don’t know their numbers. It’s critical to understand the profit and loss of your business. Another significant mistake clinicians make is not charging enough for their sessions. A therapist must understand how their money mindset is holding them back from making enough money to run a private practice. Plus, we talk about the importance of having six months of income saved for emergencies, how to avoid debt, and why you need to stop bootstrapping. Meet Julie Herres Julie Herres is the owner of GreenOak Accounting. The firm provides bookkeeping, accounting, CFO, and tax services to mental health private practice owners throughout the United States. When Julie founded GreenOak Accounting she started working with a few therapists. Over time, more and more therapist referrals came in and she started noticing trends across the practices that were thriving. Based on those trends she developed success ratios as a way to quickly determine the health of a practice. Know Your Numbers & Charge Enough To Understand Profit And Loss Understand how the money is coming in. How are your patients paying you? Then, what do you do with the money after that? How are you paying yourself and your expenses? Most people don’t have a clear picture of what those numbers are. A big mistake people make is paying their clinicians too much when you start a group practice. Gordon made this mistake! He was paying his clinicians way too high, and he wasn’t covering overhead. It’s possible to pay clinicians a fair and competitive wage without having to overdo it. If Gordon knew his numbers better at the start, he wouldn’t have made this error. Money Mindset: Therapists Should Not Feel Ashamed or Guilty About Making Money Many clinicians grow up with money shame. We think that money is evil or making money is bad. As therapists, we have a caring heart. Sometimes we feel like when we charge people money, then we are doing something wrong. Therapists will think that if someone is paying you for something, you are putting a burden on them. It’s a myth! Most people that go to therapy expect to pay. It’s one of the mistakes that a lot of people make. Then, therapists won’t charge enough for their services. Reserves: Prepare & Plan By Having 2-6 Months of Income Saved For Expenses Set aside a reserve so you can pay for expenses or substantial tax bills. The minimum is at least two months. This money shouldn’t be touched unless you get into an emergency. However, six months of a money reserve is more ideal. This reserve should be created for both personal expenses and business expenses. When COVID hit, the people with reserves were better off than those who did not have a reserve. When thinking about switching to private practice, make sure to have your reserve first! Gordon spent a year accumulating his reserve before he made the dive into private practice. Startup Expenses: Avoid Debt And Make The Practice Pay For Itself From The Beginning There’s a way to avoid debt when going into private practice. For mental health, there isn’t as much equipment that needs to be purchased. It can be relatively inexpensive to start your practice – you only need a few basic things, and then you are ready to go. Make your practice pay for itself instead of getting a loan to get started. Bootstrapping: Spend Money To Make Money Because Doing It All Is Not A Good ROI Doing it all is not a good return on your investment. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money. People will hold off on spending money because they are trying to save. However, you are hurting yourself in the long run. For instance, you can hire a virtual assistant to help answer phone calls. If you can hire someone to answer the phone, then you can spend more time seeing clients. The less you are seeing clients, the less money you are going to make. Answering phone calls will not bring you income. Your time is better spent in the room with clients. Even if you pay someone $30 an hour, you can make $150 in a session. Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Julie's Resources Call GreenOak Accounting: (571) 208-2065 Listen to Therapy For Your Money Podcast Julie’s LinkedIn Money Matters In Private Practice - Premium Content (Coupon Code: Julie2020 for 20% off) Mistakes To Avoid For A Stress-Free Tax Season Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz Company of One by Paul Jarvis Take the G-Suite For Therapists Survey The Group Practice Outfitter Waitlist  G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Featured Courses Session Note Helper 3.0 Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @PracticeofTherapy on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.  

In this episode, Danielle Branche joins the show. She talks about navigating perfectionistic beliefs when it came time to create her private practice. After loads of therapy, Danielle finally came to terms with the idea that a perfect private practice simply isn’t possible. Also, Danielle speaks about the transition from private practice to group practice. Plus, we talk about overcoming shame, the black lives matter movement, and the importance of boundaries. Meet Danielle Branche If you ask any therapist why they were drawn to this profession, most of them would answer with, "I wanted to help people". While this is true, it is much deeper. Danielle wanted to help people navigate through life in more fulfilling ways. She aspired to teach people how to be in a relationship with their mothers and fathers. Danielle wanted to give couples the tools they need to be the husbands and wives they want to be, not the ones their parents were. Her commitment is to do just that. *Danielle is no longer working out of the Largo area* Danielle's main focus is working with couples around issues of trust, communication, forgiveness after infidelity, intimacy, sex, and decision making (finances, children, etc.). She does pre-marital therapy and marital/relational enrichment. Danielle mainly uses Emotion-Focused Therapy & Solution-Focused Therapy. Danielle also sees individuals and does group therapy. As a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist, Danielle is trained in understanding how to see things relationally, not just individually. She is versed in locating where behaviors, beliefs, ideas, and feelings originate, how they affect our lives and relationships, and how to effectively manage and/or change them. Navigating Perfectionistic Beliefs Danielle found herself chasing the high of what it felt like to get praise. There was a high associated with being successful and getting straight A’s. When she started a private practice, part of her was terrified to fail. Every time a client comes in and says something negative about the décor, Danielle would take it personally because she wanted everything to be perfect. Which, of course, perfectionism is unrealistic and impossible. It has been a real struggle to overcome these challenges. Danielle has embarked on her own therapy journey so she can accept the imperfections. Overcoming Shame As A Therapist Danielle felt many self-doubt thoughts after her first couple broke up after coming to her for couple’s therapy. She felt shame and loads of crappy emotions. Danielle needed to process it deeply and take it to therapy before she was able to accept it. She figured out that it wasn’t her job to fix relationships. That was the pivotal moment that she had as a private practice owner.  The perfectionist part of us will take over, and an internal critic will take over – we compare ourselves to others, and we are harder on ourselves than others. The best thing we can do is just dismiss it and move forward. Flexibility In Private Practice Private practice allows for a flexible schedule. It’s essential to find a practice that works around your lifestyle. Some therapists like high caseloads. Whereas other therapists thrive with a lower caseload. In private practice, you can choose how many clients you see. Make sure you are able to understand where your boundaries are. Starting A Group Practice Danielle says a group practice wasn’t her version. Danielle thought she would stay in private practice forever with self-doubt – she didn’t want to be responsible for anyone else. However, it felt lonely and isolating. She thrives on community and connection. So, her first independent contractor came from an agency that Danielle used to work for. Actually, the independent contractor came to her – she wanted to join the practice. Danielle didn’t realize that people would like to be part of her practice. After a few conversations, Danielle decided to bring her on as an independent contractor. Black Lives Matter Danielle says that she has to do a lot of self-care. In staff meetings, they do vision boards. Sometimes, they also vent during staff meetings and chat about the different impacts. Danielle encourages her therapists to be in therapy themselves. As a Black clinician who sees a lot of African American clients, it can be cumbersome. Her clients are feeling hopeless. While on the other hand, some are feeling more hopeful about the changes happening in the country. Overall, Danielle says it's critical to take care of yourself so you can take care of others. Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Danielle's Resources ...And I Still Love You: The Art of Loving Imperfect People Branches of Life Facebook Instagram Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Take the G-Suite For Therapists Survey Listen to Therapy For Your Money Podcast The Group Practice Outfitter Waitlist  G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @PracticeofTherapy on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.  

In this episode, Linda Sanderville explains how she wants to shift generational poverty – it’s all about a money mindset shift. We talk about navigating our mindset blocks when it comes to having a thriving private practice. Also, Linda reveals what it takes to create a practice that fits your lifestyle, including why you should never feel guilty for raising your fees. Lastly, Linda speaks about how she found her liberated identity and gives her thoughts on the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Meet Linda Sanderville Ready to receive greater abundance in your private practice? Without guilt, fear, or self-sabotage? Linda Sanderville helps therapists move beyond the initial stage of practice building, to increase profits through subconscious work, trauma release, and authentic business design. Working with Linda means growing your income in the next stage of your private practice, with all of the clarity and impact, and none of the scramble to hustle harder. She has an uncanny intuition for pinpointing your limiting beliefs and getting you unstuck so you can master your unique business strategy! When she’s not working on unlocking your unlimited potential, you’ll find Linda watching Arrested Development on perpetual repeat, and happily downing a vegan doughnut or an apple-ginger green smoothie. Don’t be surprised if you hear her adorable toddler sounding loud and proud in the background of a Zoom call! Creating A Practice That Fits Your Lifestyle Private practice should fit your lifestyle. Linda knew that she needed a strong foundation and clarity in her private practice. She loves her work – it’s her calling and her mission. Linda realized that if she doesn’t take care of herself, she won’t be able to take care of her clients. So, she wanted to design her practice from the ground up in a way that she wouldn’t have to leave it. From the start, Linda wanted her practice to revolve around her lifestyle and taking care of herself and her family. How To Start Building Your Practice The first step is to unlearn unhelpful information. It would help if you had your own style of doing things. Reflect on and examine social work culture more objectively. That way, you won’t feel guilty for taking care of yourself. In social work, there’s a martyr-like quality. You don’t have to stay up late hours and help your clients. If you don’t stay up late, then you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. Lastly, Linda says to look at your numbers. Figure out how much money you need to make your practice work. What will it take for you to show up excited to work for your clients? We are not taught about money in grad school; however, it’s an essential piece of the puzzle. Navigating Money Shame Recognize that you have subconscious money blocks. Some people don’t realize they have a money block until they start looking at setting their fees. For instance, when you think about raising your fees, you might begin to wonder if people will think you’re greedy. However, you know in your heart that you’re not greedy. So, where is that mindset block coming from? Many people have a fear of perception. If you want to have a sustainable private practice, you need to learn how to raise your fees. To be sustainable, you can’t work for free. When clients invest in you, then you can show up better for them. Finding A Liberated Identity Recognize the effects of how you can tend toward devaluation of yourself as a result of other experiences. These effects should not be impacting your private practice. As a Black woman, Linda thinks about how she would do things if she had white man confidence. In general, women do not ask for more money, they don’t ask for raises, and they don’t ask for promotions. We have a responsibility to take care of ourselves emotionally, financially, and physically. It's time that we take control of our own lives and make our wildest dreams come true. Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Linda's Resources LinkedIn Facebook Website Instagram linda@lindasanderville.com Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Take the G-Suite For Therapists Survey Listen to Therapy For Your Money Podcast The Group Practice Outfitter Waitlist  My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies  Scale-Up Services Summit October 20th – 23rd G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @TPOTpodcast on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.  

In this episode, Elizabeth Broyhill Morris, the Founder of Living Hope, joins the show. We talk about the difference between hope and expectation. When we expect something to happen, we are relying on external factors. When we hope, we understand that our life is in our own control. Then, Elizabeth reveals the eight practices you can utilize to sustain hope - Surrender, Stillness, Grief, Honesty, Curiosity, Forgiveness, Resilience, and Joy. Stay tuned as Elizabeth dives into how to put these actions into place to start your journey to joy. Meet Elizabeth Broyhill Morris Elizabeth Broyhill Morris is the Founder of Living Hope. Through her own experience of finding Hope after struggle and trauma, she found herself privileged to offer love and encouragement to others who were in despair. In sharing her words and wisdom and receiving them from others, she came to believe that Hope is not an emotion – it is an action that must be practiced consistently and intentionally. This project has been a labor of love that evolved over the course of several years, gaining traction, slowing down, and eventually going silent for a time. The turning point, however, was in 2015, when Elizabeth lost a precious friend who died unexpectedly and tragically. In her grief, Elizabeth was called to speak on a broader platform to people who were losing hope. From this experience grew a team of devoted individuals who brought the community of Living Hope to life. Elizabeth lives in Chapel Hill, N.C., with her husband, their son, and a new baby on the way. She is a voracious reader, amateur cook, aspiring gardener, and passionate community volunteer. Hope vs. Expectation There is a big difference between hope and expectations. Disappointment is just an unmet expectation. Who are you hoping to be, and who are you expecting to be? Hope is the sweet spot. You should never fully expect something to happen a certain way. Expectations are focusing on something outside of yourself. We need to think about our locus of control. People who are happiest in life have an internal locus of control – they know themselves well, and they know how to handle their own emotions well. People with an external locus of control are continually responding to what they think everyone else wants or thinks. At the end of the day, we need a great “I am.” We all have the ability to tap into our internal wisdom. Expectations are entirely external. Whenever we are externally focused, we are going to get tripped up. Eight Practices To Sustain Hope Elizabeth identified eight specific practices that create and sustain hope – Surrender, Stillness, Grief, Honesty, Curiosity, Forgiveness, Resilience, and Joy. It is these eight Practices that became the cornerstone of Living Hope. You have to be totally focused on your personal therapeutic practice and you can’t put it down. So, Elizabeth sat down and thought about her process of recovering from divorce. These steps need to be interchangeable for any challenge in your life. Elizabeth dives into her eight practices for hope: Surrender: let it go. Stillness: sit with it; it’s gone now. Grief: we have to process our grief; it is absolutely vital to go through the grieving process. Do not get stuck in the grieving process. Honesty: sit down and get honest with yourself. Ask yourself, how did I get here? Curiosity: what happened in your past that shapes the way you pursue this? All the puzzle pieces are starting to come together. Forgiveness: there is a lot of value to forgive someone. The most significant piece is forgiving yourself for going through that. You can really find freedom through forgiveness. Resilience: pull your bootstraps up, stand up, and move forward. Find fresh new air. Joy: this is the ultimate practice of hope. Step into a space of complete freedom and joy – it’s an incredibly loving place to be. When we are in crisis, we need to slow down enough to get the landscape. This framework gives people steppingstones. Grief is at the heart of everything we struggle with as human beings. Once we can move through grief, we can be on our way to find joy. [fusebox_transcript] Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Elizabeth's Resources Living Hope Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Listen to Therapy For Your Money Podcast Listen to Finding Fred The Group Practice Outfitter Waitlist  Scale-Up Services Summit October 20th – 23rd G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @TPOTpodcast on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.  

Veronica Cisneros joins the show to talk about how therapists can start empowering their personal and professional lives. Most likely, you lack vulnerability. Veronica says it’s time you started taking care of yourself and engage in the hobbies that spark your joy and fire your passions. Think about the life that you want to live in. How are you currently pursuing it? Well, it’s time to start permitting yourself to do the things that you want to do. Plus, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Stay tuned as Veronica reveals her habits for success. Meet Veronica Cisneros Veronica is a licensed marriage and family therapist, motivational speaker, mother of three, and wife of her beloved husband of 20 years. Through personal experience, she has defeated life’s challenges by leaning into fear unapologetically. She’s taught hundreds of women how to take ownership of their lives, lean into fear, and let go of judgment. However, this is not a big enough impact and she learned to empower the millions of women worldwide who suffer. She focuses on creating true change, encouraging women to no longer compromise themselves in order to meet the needs of others. Vulnerability A lot of therapists’ lack of vulnerability - Veronica sees this frequently. There’s a fear of being exposed. If a therapist exposes their true self, then what are other people going to think? If someone knew their reality, then what would people say? Veronica says that therapists are wrapped up in their identity as a therapist. When you take away your therapist role, then who are you? When is the last time you engaged in one of your hobbies? It’s time that therapists start thinking about themselves and give themselves permission to be real humans and show their vulnerabilities. Empower Your Life Veronica thought about the life she wanted to live. She wants to be a connected and exceptional mom and wife. Then, Veronica thought about what was standing in her way. She looked at herself and examined what she was doing. Eventually, Veronica realized that she didn’t think she was deserving. Her house was at a higher ranking than herself. She looked at her life and how she wanted to change it. Instead of thinking she wasn’t worth it, she decided to create her perfect day. For instance, when Veronica sleeps in, she gives herself grace. She permits herself to do the things that she wants to do. Take Action Veronica used to wake up to a checklist and would yell at her kids because they were late for school. She found herself irritated the moment she woke up. Veronica realized it was her fault – she needed to ask her husband for help. What boundaries have you set, and how have you asserted yourself? Veronica never asked her husband for help. Instead, she felt resentful. Plus, she felt guilt and shame for screaming first thing in the morning. Veronica knew something needed to change. She could have blamed her kids and her husband. Instead, Veronica decided to take action. She asked for help and let go of perfection. Habits For Success Veronica says vulnerability is her habit for success. She can live unapologetically by being vulnerable. That means she is going to be subjected to criticism. If someone walks into your house with dirty dishes in the sink, there might be some form of judgment. Well, do it anyway. Permit yourself to be your true authentic self. That way, you are no longer attempting to meet other people’s needs. Make sure you have fewer expectations – it’s time to accept your family for who they are and who they are not. Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Veronica's Resources Website Podcast Facebook Group Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Listen to Therapy For Your Money Podcast The Group Practice Outfitter Waitlist  Scale-Up Services Summit October 20th - 23rd G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @TPOTpodcast on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.  

In this episode, Alison explains what it is like to run a group practice, like a boss! Alison is into tracking data; she likes to make her decisions based on numbers. You’ll hear loads of tips about having a group practice. For instance, don’t wait to delegate for when you’re stressed out and on the verge of burn out – it’s probably time to delegate today! Stay tuned as Alison explains how she finds the best clinicians for her practice, the ways that she compensates her staff, and why she utilizes an employee model rather than an independent contractor model. Meet Alison Pidgeon Alison Pidgeon, MA, LPC is the Founder and CEO of Move Forward Counseling LLC. What started out as a solo private practice in early 2015 quickly grew into a group practice and has been expanding ever since. Alison has been working in the mental health field since 2003. She graduated from Immaculata University with a master's degree in counseling psychology in 2007. She earned her license as a professional counselor (LPC) in 2009. Her time spent working in community mental health helped to shape her as a leader and made her aware of the problems which exist in the mental health system. Taking what she learned from the traditional model of mental health care, Alison set out to create something different when she started her private practice. Her attention to detail to the whole client experience and treating her staff exceptionally well have created a reputation of excellence that is recognized by the community. Learn How To Delegate Practice owners get caught in the trap of bootstrapping everything like answering the phone and cleaning the office. Why? Because they want to save money. However, you are putting a hard cap on how large you can grow your business. There’s a way to make sure you’re hiring trustworthy people who will do good work and be reliable. It’s possible to delegate sooner than you need to. People wait too long to start delegating. Don’t wait until your drowning at work. Find Good Clinicians When starting a group practice, it’s essential to find the best clinicians. However, whenever clinicians wanted to join Alison, they said they couldn’t because they needed health insurance. That’s why Alison decided to switch from an independent contracting model to an employee model. That way, Alison can offer her employees the opportunity to have health insurance. This has been a total game-changer for Alison. Her turnover rate is a lot lower. Plus, she gets so many more applications with the employee model. Moving Toward Group Practice Look at your systems. This will have to change when you hire people. Most likely, your systems will only work for a private practice rather than group practice. For instance, you may need multiple phone extensions. Plus, you’ll need to change up your website. Change your wording from “I” to “we.” Also, think about whether or not you want to be a boss. Managing people is a significant aspect of group practice. If that sounds terrible, then group practice may not be right for you. Think long and hard about what you love to do. Determining Fit It would help if you were clear about your mission, vision, and values. Your values will speak a lot about the culture of your practice. You can even print these things out and have your potential clinicians look it over. The clearer you are about what you want will help you attract the right people and repel the wrong people. Having a problem employee is a nightmare and not worth the stress. That’s why Alison is picky about who she hires. Alison wants her clinicians to be organized, timely, and self-sufficient. If a clinician isn’t organized enough to manage themselves, it will not be a good fit. Also, Alison values boundaries – you can’t teach good judgment. So Alison wants to know if her potential clinicians have good boundaries with their clients. Recruiting Alison uses Indeed.com, plus she has an employment page on her website. She gets quite a few resumes through that as well. Therapists talk to each other. So one therapist will tell their friends. That’s why Alison likes to have an employment page on her website so that people can reach out to her directly. Compensation Alison says that compensation will depend on the laws in your state. In Pennsylvania, there’s not a lot of options. Alison pays her therapists more to see a client and less for administrative work. She doesn’t go the salaried route because your therapists will get paid the same amount no matter how many clients they have. At a minimum, they have to do twenty-five hours a week. If they want more, then they can earn a bonus. However, they don’t need to work forty hours a week if they don’t want to. Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Alison's Resources Email Alison: alison@practiceofthepractice.com Move Forward Counseling Consulting with Alison Alison Pidgeon | Buying An Office And Growing A Private Practice Group Practice Boss Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Listen to Therapy For Your Money Podcast Use my link for 1 Month FREE of Brighter Vision services Brighter Vision Fall Into Cash Event Sign up for Killin’It Camp – October 5-7, 2020 G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @TPOTpodcast on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.  

In this episode, David Hall joins to speak about making the transition from private practice to group practice. First, think about if you’ll add employees or independent contractors to your practice. Then, decide how you will pay them; there are many different structures to set this up. However, you need to know the financial side of your practice before you start paying others. Stay tuned as we talk about keeping it simple and the reasons why you may want to think twice before starting a group practice. Lastly, catch our free live webinar on September 25th: Solo To Group Practice. Meet David Hall Dr. Stephen “David” Hall heads up content and creative direction as the “Chief Maven” of PsychMaven. He began his work as a psychotherapist in 2005, and he currently holds clinical licenses in Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. He has built up multiple counseling practices in his years as a clinician, first in Georgia and then in his home state of Tennessee. In 2015, he led the start-up of an independent psychiatry clinic, Haven Family Psychiatry, in Knoxville, TN. Dr. Hall maintains a psychotherapy caseload and supervises postgraduate therapists in the practice he leads in the clinic, Haven Counseling Center at Haven Family Psychiatry.  Transitioning To Group Practice At one point, you’ll realize the only way that you can grow is by doing something different. David realized that he could grow if he brought new people to practice. Do you feel like you can’t take on any new clients? Then it could be time to think about starting a group practice. Whether you are thinking about a part-time contractor or bringing on full-time employees, you'll hear about some factors to help you know when the situation and timing are right in our upcoming webinar.  Paying Your Staff Most people will start with independent contractors when creating their group practice. However, don’t try and be too generous when it comes to paying your contractors. Make sure that you are keeping enough for yourself. You don’t want to be paying your contractors from your profits. Most therapists didn’t get into therapy to make loads of money. Most therapists want to help people. This idea extends to our employees and contractors. You cannot sustain your mission unless there are margins. Group Practice Can Be Simple David made things too complicated when starting his group practice. He realized that he could run a simple practice and be more profitable. For David, this was far less stressful. At first, it was super stressful, and he didn’t sleep well at night. When he crossed the bridge of realizing how the practice could be, a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders. Now, David can lead a group of therapists and not live in constant stress. Have a vision of why you want to start a group practice. Don’t try and do too much. Learn how to delegate and outsource well. Why You Might Think Twice Before Starting A Group Practice Sometimes there can be pressure for what you “should” do. That’s not true. If you want to start a group practice, then do it. However, don’t start a group practice because you think that’s what you should be doing. Some people LOVE their private practice. It can be simple with little distractions; maybe it’s your sweet spot. If private practice is a paradise for you, you don’t need to start a group practice. It doesn’t matter if you’re introverted or extroverted; group practice can be right or wrong for anyone. Embrace the trueness of who you are.   Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! David’s Resources Sign up for the webinar: Solo to Group Practice: Adding More Therapists to Grow Your Time & Income PsychMaven PsychMaven on Facebook PsychMaven on Instagram PsychMaven on LinkedIn Haven Family Psychiatry Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free. Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Listen to Therapy For Your Money Podcast Solo to Group Practice: Adding More Therapists to Grow Your Time & Income Use my link for 1 Month FREE of Brighter Vision services Brighter Vision Fall Into Cash Event Sign up for Killin’It Camp – October 5-7, 2020 G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @TPOTpodcast on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.

In this episode, LaToya Smith of LCS Counseling and Consulting Agency joins the show. LaToya speaks about the importance of telling your story as it relates to creating connections and networking in your community. Plus, storytelling is a great way to build your brand and expand your social media presence. Stay tuned as we talk about the Black Lives Matter movement and diversity in private practice. Meet LaToya Smith LaToya is the owner of LCS Counseling and Consulting Agency in Fortworth Texas. She firmly believes that people don’t have to remain stuck in their pain or the place they became wounded. She encourages her clients to be active in their treatment and work towards their desired outcome. She has also launched Strong Witness which is a platform designed to connect, transform, and heal communities through the power of storytelling. Visit LaToya’s website and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Strong Witness Instagram, and Twitter. Why Story is Important The more you talk about your story, the easier it gets. It would help if you weren't afraid to speak about your story. Telling your story will help you be more confident in your voice. Plus, people will come up to you and connect with you. We are not out on an island by ourselves - it's time to be vulnerable and create connections. Telling stories will bring healing and understanding through being free, and sharing will allow yourself to be who you are. Empowering Through Story Vulnerability will build courage. The most authentic stories allow us to be seen, and that is how the connection is made. When we put words to our pain and our emotions, then we light up. Story will help bridge the gaps. We need to learn to set things aside, listen, and connect through stories and experience. It will help tear down walls and prevent division. When we are willing to hear other people’s pain, we realize that strangers are no different from us. Black Lives Matter It’s hard to heal; there is always something. 2020 has been devastating. You can’t stop to catch your breath. It’s so heavy, and therapists are overwhelmed. If your clients are still being traumatized, then it’s going to be hard to heal. Even Black therapists are having a hard time. It’s a lot to process, and unfortunately, it’s not new. People who are not Black can empathize with the community. A faithful ally will do something to prove that they are anti-racist. LaToya has been part of peaceful protests, and she sees change happening. When you are walking through the protests, you don’t get all the love back. If you’re out at the protests, then you need to practice mental health. There are people out there doing the work that needs to be done, reach out to them, and lend a helping hand. Storytelling Consultancy LaToya helps therapists and private practice owners incorporate storytelling into their presentations and social media profiles. LaToya wants to help private practice owners integrate stories into their everyday lives and help boost their business. Visit Strong Witness - an app designed to give people a platform and a safe space to share their stories. They welcome any story you are comfortable with sharing. This includes stories of triumph, victory, pain, joy, gratitude, shame, love, or defeat. You want to tell stories that will draw people to you. The story should get people to take action. Allow yourself to be seen at the moment. People can connect with you better when they can see you. When you share, people will want to pick up the phone and call you. Use your authentic voice and tell the stories that you are comfortable with. Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! LaToya’s Resources Visit LaToya’s Website Facebook Instagram Strong Witness Instagram Strong Witness Facebook Twitter Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free.Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Listen to Therapy For Your Money Podcast Solo to Group Practice: Adding More Therapists to Grow Your Time & Income Use my link for 1 Month FREE of Brighter Vision services Brighter Vision Fall Into Cash Event Sign up for Killin’It Camp – October 5-7, 2020 Check out these great resources from PsychMaven G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @TPOTpodcast on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.  

In this episode, Rebecca Toner joins to speak about supervision and seeking support for your private practice. She explains exactly how a supervisor can help you with your clinical journey. Plus, Rebecca reveals the most significant obstacles that clinicians face at the beginning of their career and some ways to overcome those common challenges. Stay tuned as we talk about how you can find a niche and the ways to navigate imposture syndrome. Meet Rebecca Toner Rebecca Toner, MA, LPC is a group private practice owner, clinical supervisor, EMDR consultant-in-training, and host of the Supportive SuperVision Podcast. She specializes in trauma work and combines both her clinical practice of EMDR and her clinical supervision/consultation practice with an Internal Family Systems model. She's a multi-passionate entrepreneur whose mission is to help heal as many lives as possible through direct clinical practice, supervision, and EMDR consulting.  Connecting With Clinicians It’s terrific for clinicians to be connecting as long as it’s authentic. Supervision is a way to develop other clinicians. You can work on a few goals together and help drive their career. Rebecca does a lot of trauma-informed supervision. She helps her clinicians dig deep and compartmentalize. Learn How To Be Genuine Rebecca notices that clinicians focus on doing their work correctly and precisely by the book. This method will strip the human element. Instead of staying in the moment, clinicians are second-guessing themselves. Plus, clinicians will work on becoming more like their supervisor rather than becoming more like themselves. It’s essential to develop your own style when doing clinical work. The number one predictor of the efficacy of therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client. Advice For Those Who Are Getting Started Rebecca says to invest in your own supervision and consultation. A consultation will be a one-time session where you ask a couple of questions. Supervision is a paid ongoing relationship. If you’re a young clinician, then you are probably getting administrative supervision. However, you can pay for someone who will provide clinical supervision. That new perspective will help assist your clients. This person will also have the clinical process at the forefront of their mind. Be part of an online therapist group, if possible. Facebook groups are great for exposing yourself to people with specialties and niches. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Pay the person that has your niche for their time and ask how they got to where they are. Build your business and your confidence while also building your clinical skills. Getting Unstuck as a Clinician Clinicians will get stuck with their confidence. Sometimes, they are not sure which diagnosis is the right choice for their client. A clinician will overthink their gut feelings. Plus, people are made to believe that they are dependent on their agency jobs. That’s not the case! It’s scary to give up the stability of an agency job and move out on your own. However, every therapist in private practice has wrestled with these thoughts. Private practice does not need to be zero to one-hundred. You can build your private practice during nights and weekends. Then, start thinking about moving from full-time to part-time agency work to give yourself more time when transitioning to private practice. It’s vital to form a niche and a specialty. That will help when you make a move to private practice. Finding a Niche and Overcoming Imposture Syndrome What are you naturally doing as an interest? If you’re interested in clients with OCD and ADHD, then work on getting super confident in that area. It’s also essential to go to the trainings and validate that you know what you’re doing. People can get caught up in imposter syndrome because they don’t recognize what they do know. It’s important to remember that you have gone through trainings and learned from graduate school and internships. It would help if you didn’t discount these things. Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Rebecca’s Resources Supervision/Consultation Website Counseling Practice Website Supportive SuperVision Podcast Instagram Rebecca@SupportiveSupervision.com Resources  Use the promo code “GORDON” to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free.Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Listen to Therapy For Your Money Podcast Use my link for 1 Month FREE of Brighter Vision services Sign up for Killin’It Camp – October 5-7, 2020 Brighter Vision Fall Into Cash Event Brighter Vision 1 Month of Free Services Check out these great resources from Psychmaven Psychmaven Gordon Brewer Shares Inside Secrets To Having A Successful Counseling Practice | Episode 24 Consulting with Gordon G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @TPOTpodcast on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.  

In this episode, Ashley Comegys gives us the basics of building an online practice. We talk through some of the challenges of being a full-time virtual therapist and how clients react to telehealth during COVID-19. Stay tuned as Ashley explains the process behind getting licensed in several states and the importance of flexibility during these uncertain times. Meet Ashley Comegys Ashley Comegys is a licensed clinical social worker with an online therapy practice that helps women with anxiety navigate life transitions, grief, trauma, and loss. She has been working with clients online since 2014 and loves the ability to work with clients who may not be able to make it into a traditional office for therapy. Through cross country moves, and a growing family, Ashley has built a successful online practice, working with clients in Louisiana, Hawaii, and Colorado. Ashley is passionate about helping other mom clinicians build their own online therapy practices so they can have the time freedom and flexibility to have a career and raise their family. To help moms get started with building their online practices Ashley has created a free guide called The ABCs of Online Therapy: A Quickstart Guide for Mom Clinicians to Take Their Practice Online. You can download the free guide at bit.ly/momABCguide. Telehealth During COVID The reality is, schools can shut down at any time. Working with clients online will give you the flexibility and freedom that a brick and mortar office doesn’t provide. For example, do you share an office space with someone else? Then you may be limited to which hours you can go in there. Working with clients online, you have the flexibility to work around your schedule and your childcare. It cuts down on the extra time for commuting too! No one knows what the outcome will be from COVID; it’s time to pivot and adjust your expectations and find success in online practice. Flexibility with Clients Clients have been willing to be very flexible during COVID. There are a lot of moms who understand the importance of being flexible. Even those clients who aren’t moms, they understand the need to be flexible. Nothing is normal right now. Some days we can work from home, while other days we need to be in the office. Ashley has very understanding clients. Adjusting Your Schedule When you need to make adjustments to your schedule, Ashley says that it needs to be an upfront conversation. Tell your clients the situation and prepare them for possible changes. Also, be willing to have options for your clients. For the most part, our clients are also going through difficult times too; they understand and relate to you. Communication is critical during these uncertain times. Getting Licensed In Several States Getting licensed in several states happened organically for Ashley because she kept moving around. As a military spouse, it’s hard because each state is so different. The only beneficial thing is that Ashley’s application went to the front of the line in Hawaii. Compared to some applications, the Hawaii application wasn’t too bad. Most of Ashley’s clients are in Hawaii, even though Ashley lives in Louisiana. Plus, Ashley works with military families that moved to Colorado. So, she got licensed in Colorado – it was a simple process compared to other states. Marketing Your Private Practice Get a good website! That will be a significant source of referrals for your practice. When you market to too many people, then you’re marketing to no one. Think about your physical location. That will be the most accessible place to start marketing. A website will be the easiest way for people to find you. Plus, you can still have a lunch meeting with someone in your area that is a natural collaborator with you. That way, you can connect with other counselors and get a referral source. Starting Your Virtual Practice Get the basics in order. Figure out what is the EHR system that you are going to use. There is a variety of systems out there, which one will be best for you? After you get the nuts and bolts, you can start picking up the phone and finding clients. Ashley has a free guide to help you get started. You can find it here: https://bit.ly/momABCguide.   Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links! Ashley's Resources The ABCs of Online Therapy: A Quickstart Guide for Mom Clinicians to Take Their Practice Online Ashley's Website Ashley's Facebook Group Raised To Empower Email Ashley Resources  Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free.Learn more about GreenOak Accounting  Listen to Therapy For Your Money Podcast Use my link for 1 Month FREE of Brighter Vision services Sign up for Killin'It Camp - October 5-7, 2020 Click on this link, nominate yours truly, and write your most intriguing questions for the “Up Close and Personal Podcast Mini-Series.” Use the discount code “AUG2020” on all of the Practice of Therapy e-courses and digital products at Gumroad and Teachable. G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course Session Note Helper 3.0 Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group Cool Resources Follow @TPOTpodcast on Instagram Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.