7 Mistakes Made By Seasoned Clinicians in Private Practice And What They Would Do Differently Now
New to private practice and needing some guidance? Well we’ve got some for you, along with advice from seasoned clinicians in private practice on the mistakes they wish they could re do when starting their practices.
New to private practice and needing some guidance? Well we’ve got some for you, along with advice from seasoned clinicians in private practice on the mistakes they wish they could have avoided when starting their practices.
Okay so let’s dive right into it.
Mistake 1: Not starting out with electronic health records (EHR) from the get-go.
Benefits of having electronic records for your mental health practice includes, but is not limited to, the ability to streamline scheduling, automated reminders for client sessions, clinical documentation, billing software, and revenue management and reporting.
Most recommended platforms for mental health professionals are:
“My life would have been a lot easier back in the day if I could have streamlined everything to be online.”
“I would have saved a lot of trees along the way if I used an EHR from the beginning.”
“I thought it was too pricey at first when I only had 2 clients but looking back, the price would have been worth my sanity!”
“It was a pain in my &*% having to switch over all my clients from paper-based filing to an EHR once I had a full caseload.”
Mistake 2: Renting an entire office
Do you work 24/7? No. So why sign a traditional 24/7 lease? Sharing an office space can lead to lower costs, fewer responsibilities, more networking opportunities, smaller commitments, and more support for you and your growing practice. Companies like b.mindful Louisville provide safe, clean, practical and modern offices for mental health and wellness professionals in private practice. By entering a community like this you will be provided with a like-minded support network, as well as all the furnishing and amenities to support your growing practice.
“Would have been in a better space financially if I could have just rented a space to practice for 1-2 days a week.”
“Wasted a lot of time trying to find someone to sublease my office when I wasn’t there, and that time could have been spent on my clients or with my family.”
“Wouldn’t have gone right into renting an office on my own honestly.”
“I was so stressed at the beginning and my overhead costs were so expensive. It was tough having to juggle rent, utilities, supplies, and marketing all while building up my caseload. Would have been a lot better for me to share an office at first.”
Mistake 3: Not networking
At its most basic form, networking is about building and maintaining relationships with people which may lead to a mutually beneficial exchange at some point in the future. Think about your ideal client and where they go, what they listen to, who they seek guidance from and build your networking strategy around that. These can be other therapists, physicians, other wellness providers, attorneys etc.
“Wish I would have networked with others in the field sooner.”
“Wish I would have just got out there and done it. It can be scary at first, but the more you do it the better you’ll become at it.”
“Wish I asked the stupid questions and wasn’t afraid to be the newbie.”
“If only I knew how beneficial it was to market with other clinicians in the same niche. People always need someone they trust to refer to when they are full and vice versa!”
Mistake 4: Ignoring my finances
Not a lot of therapists come from a background in finance, so don’t shy away from seeking advice from professionals in order to keep your finances in order. Last thing you want is to get yourself into is financial struggles at the beginning of your private practice journey.
“Pay myself. I always forgot to do this at the beginning because I was so worried about having enough to cover the expenses. ”
“Make people pay up front for sessions and not at the end of the sessions because I always forgot to collect the payments!”
“Talked to an accountant much sooner.”
“Learned how to keep up with billing better. ”
Mistake 5: Not filing for an LLC
In order to protect your personal assets, it is advised to keep your business and personal liability separate. One way to do this is to form a limited liability company. Talk with your advisors to see what will be best for your practice and learn more here about forming an LLC for your business.
“Getting legal isn’t fun, but neither is getting sued. So protect your earnings and your family.”
“Thank goodness I never got into legal trouble, but just start with an LLC from the beginning to ensure highest levels of security for your personal and business assets.”
“Just do it, its the smart thing to do. You can do it by yourself or hire a lawyer to do it, whatever you are comfortable with.”
“It’s not exactly ‘harder’ to form an LLC once your practice is grown, but I just found that I didn’t have the time to do it like I did in the beginning when I was building my practice.”
Mistake 6: Not having an online presence
Online marketing should be at the top of our ‘to do’ list. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to reach thousands of people within seconds. Websites and social media platforms are excellent ways to target your ideal clients.
“If you are not comfortable with a website right at first, at least have a Facebook page for your business”
“I have received so many complements from clients and other professionals on my site and how much more ‘official’ it makes me look. I think that would have helped build my confidence faster when I was first starting out.”
“Having an online presence is vital to your success today, if you aren’t able to be found on Google, you might as well be a ghost.”
“Just build a website, even just a basic one.”
“You are not an expert at everything, so rely on those for help to fill in the gaps where you lag the skills for success.”
“Don’t rework the wheel, just do your research and use whats already out there. ”
“I wish I would have known about the private practice support groups and boot camps out there because all of their free resources are so helpful. ”
“Would have had a lot fewer tears if I opened up and allowed help in at the beginning. Part of it was understanding that it can still be ‘my business’ and that I can still take credit for the hard work put into it but that I don’t have to struggle alone during the process. ”
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
Have additional questions? Feel free to message me and ask!
I’m a professional counselor and understand the importance of having a safe space to practice in, consulting, networking, having a solid referral list, and being around other like-minded professionals.
Podcasts That Will Help You Build Your Private Practice
In the beginning stages of building my own business I listened to a lot of How I Built This. This is a fantastic podcast and I got a lot of inspiration from some of the most amazing and successful companies around the world. But on a larger scale, I had a hard time applying a lot of the information to my day to day practice and business building. I knew there had to be podcasts out there that could help me. Maybe podcasts made my therapists, for therapists to help learn the ins and outs. Maybe one to help me continue growing as a business owner and therapist. And boy did I found some.
Podcasts are the best (subjective I know but just give them a shot if you haven’t already). The process is so easy. All you’ve got to do is find a topic you want to learn about (literally anything because they’ve got a podcast on just about everything), search for it, subscribe to it and listen.
Majority of phones will have a built-in podcast app to listen to them on but you can also download additional apps for streaming. I personally prefer to use the built in “podcast” app on my iPhone and enjoy listing to true crime podcasts such as S-Town and Dirty John or ones that are more inspirational and educational such as This American Life or Invisibilia.
In the beginning stages of building my own business, b.mindful Louisville a shared workspace for mental health and wellness professionals in Louisville, Kentucky, I listened to a lot of How I Built This. This is a fantastic podcast and a lot of my inspiration came from listening to some of the most amazing and successful companies around the world talk about their stories. But on a larger scale, I had a hard time applying a lot of the information to my day to day practice and business building. I knew there had to be podcasts out there that could help me. Maybe podcasts made my therapists, for therapists to help learn the ins and outs. Maybe one to help me continue growing as a business owner and a therapist. And boy did I found some.
There are so many out there! Like a lot. So, suggestion to avoid getting overwhelmed and to not have to walk around with headphones in your ears 24/7 - don’t try to listen to every single podcast by every single person. Take your time and do your research on the hosts, their goals and see if they align with your goals and your personality.
I personally aligned best with Allison Puryear from The Abundance Practice Podcast, so I remain pretty loyal to her posts, but then from time to time I pull in a random episode from The Private Practice Startup or The Ask Juliet & Clinton Show. But that’s just me. Take a look at the list below and try out some of your favorites and then narrow it down from there and get on with building your business!
Podcasts To Help You Build Your Private Practice (not in any specific order)
The Abundance Practice Podcast with Allison Puryear
Message from the host:
“Practical advice for counselors starting and building a private practice.”
The Ask Juliet & Clinton Show with Juliet Austin & Clinton Power
Message from the host:
“The Ask Juliet & Clinton Show is a marketing podcast for therapists and natural health businesses.”
Practice of The Practice with Joe Sanok
Message from the host:
“Covers everything it takes to make your service-based private practice more awesome. It’s what you wish you had learned in graduate school.”
The Private Practice Startup with Kate Campbell, PhD, LMFT & Katie Lemieux, LMFT
Message from the host:
“On our podcast, we interview entrepreneurs, experts in the mental health and business arenas and successful private practitioners to provide a wealth of information to our listeners!”
The Online Counseling Podcast with Clay Cockrell
Message from the host:
“ The Online Counseling Podcast explores the world on online counseling and therapy and those that practice tele-medicine.”
Private Practice Talk with Kelly & Miranda
Message from the host:
“Help for creating a happy and full private practice for mental health professionals.”
Profiles in Private Practice Success with Jennifer Sneeden
Message from the host:
“Profiles in Private Practice Success showcases the most successful and innovation professionals in practice today.”
Selling the Couch with Melvin Varghese, PhD
Message from the host:
“Selling the Couch is the #1 podcast for aspiring, new and current mental health private practitioners.”
The Rebel Therapist with Annie Schuessler
Message from the host:
“A podcast for therapists who want more.”
The Therapist Experience from Brighter Vison
Message from the host:
“The Therapist Experience Podcast is the podcast where we interview successful therapists about what its really like growing a private practice.”
Would love to hear from you in the comments section on your favorite practice building podcast or if you have one that you’ve found helpful that isn’t on this list!
Have additional questions? Feel free to message me and ask!
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
I’m a professional counselor and understand the importance of having a safe space to practice in, consulting, networking, having a solid referral list, and being around other like-minded professionals.
Unpopular Route: Grad School --> Private Practice
Who out there is a believer that everyone must do agency work after graduate school and that new clinicians shouldn’t enter the workforce through private practice? I hear a lot of you saying “preach sister, yes you must must must do agency work first” and I get it, I really do. But then I hear some others out there saying “nah, do as you want, it’s your life, your career, and your choice”, and I happen to align more with this outlook.
Who out there is a believer that everyone must do agency/hospital work after graduate school, and that new clinicians shouldn’t enter the workforce through private practice? I hear a lot of you saying “preach sister, yes you must must put in your time” and I get it, I really do. But then I hear some others out there saying “nah, do as you want, it’s your life, your career, and your choice”.
I happen to align more with the latter - even though it looks different then my personal journey.
I know it’s a different opinion than most, but I am a firm believer of following your dreams and getting there in whatever fashion suits you best. On top of that I am also a big believer that clinicians need to have rigorous training, create and maintain solid clinical skills, have stable supports and partake in ongoing consultations. Yes, yes, I hear you out there being like “yeah duh that’s what I’m talking about, you will learn all that at an agency and then can take it with you to your private practice later.” But you don’t have to just learn them at an agency/hospital, there are other ways.
Wondering what these ways are and how individuals going straight from graduate school to private practice will learn these skills? Below I will tell you by answering some of the most common questions asked in regards to this topic.
BRING ON THE QUESTIONS.
New clinicians need a lot of oversight, who is going to oversee their sessions?
A supervisor will, just like it would be at an agency. The supervisor would provide them with the structure, support and clinical guidance needed to learn and grow in their current position no matter the setting.
Speaking from personal experience, I have felt more fulfilled and supported by my privately paid supervisors than I did by some of the agency supervisors I had. Though it is painful to fork over $100+ a month for supervision, I found that they were more present in our sessions due to not being bogged down by too much paperwork, too many supervisees, too many clients, and too much bureaucracy.
In the end, not all supervision is created equal. Therefore, no matter where you are seeking supervision from and if it’s paid for or free, do your research and advocate for yourself and your practices needs. It may also help to surround yourself with like minded professionals in order to get additional support (that everyone so desperately needs in this field).
How are they going to know what to do if they haven’t been through the grind of agency work?
They will learn on the job, just like those did in an agency. Why should one be pressured into taking a job they don’t align with just because it’s one of the only agency positions offered to them? If coming out of school one knows what population they want to work with, why waste their time, the agencies time or the clients time working with a population that doesn’t match their ideal clientele?
I believe in hard work, obviously, but I think it’s important to be strategic about where you spend your energy.
I want people to spend their time building the life that they want, not wasting it by putting in time at the local clinic so the elders in the community won’t judge them. I don’t think its necessary to force newbies to walk uphill both ways in the dead of the winter to get where they want to go when they have alternate options. The saying is “work smarter not harder” right?
How are they going to know what population they want to work with?
By using their lived experiences, their training and by doing their research inside and outside of the office.
An advantage students nowadays have is the amount of quality resources available to them at their fingertips (literally…all the answers are held in their tiny phones). There are so many resources, reviews, practice building support networks, blogs and consultants out there and this makes it easier for them to find their paths. It is a lot easier now to gather all the information, allowing them more time to think about their wants and needs for the future and empowering them to go after their dreams after graduation.
So, you're saying you want to have clients pay money to have a therapist learn on them?
Nope. I am saying that I want clinicians to feel empowered in the work that they do so they can bring their best selves to sessions and provide for their clients in the best ways possible. And let’s be honest here, who isn’t constantly learning from their clients (no matter the amount of time you’ve spent in the therapist chair)?
How are they going to juggle the clinical and business parts of private practice along with all the start up costs?
This relationship, for most of us in private practice, has a love/hate dynamic to it and is tough to juggle anyways. Therefore, we shouldn’t place judgement or dictate what’s best for others who may be more business minded or have a higher tolerance for frustrations than us.
I know some of you will agree and a lot of you won’t. Either way, I would love to know what you think. Let us know in the comments below!
P.S.- Suggestion to the masses. Check with your state licensing board to ensure that it is legal for you to enter private practice after graduation. Certain states/licenses dictate a certain amount of post graduate hours before hanging your own shingle.
Have additional questions? Feel free to message me and ask!
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
I’m a professional counselor and understand the importance of having a safe space to practice in, consulting, networking, having a solid referral list, and being around other like-minded professionals.
3 Tips For Life Coaches Who Are Just Starting Out
Seemingly due to the growing complexity of the world, life coaching has become an increasing career choice for many. It sometimes seems that you might have advice or heuristics that another person is in search for. A skilled life coach can help other individuals follow a path that is good for their health and career.
Seemingly due to the growing complexity of the world, life coaching has become an increasing career choice for many. It sometimes seems that you might have advice or heuristics that another person is in search for. A skilled life coach can help other individuals follow a path that is good for their health and career. And coaching is not just for individuals; big corporations also hire life coaches for their top employees to help them get through rough patches and bring about solutions for their work projects. Now, if you are in the coaching field and have suddenly realized that you are not going anywhere and the work is slow, then chances are you are doing something wrong. Here are the top three tips that every life coach needs to follow.
1. Provide Solutions & Social Proof
Here is the first do and don’ts of becoming a life-coach. Your aim should be to provide solutions and remedies for a problem. Most life coaches try to be service providers, but that should not be the case. It is all about turning your coaching into a business not just dabble in it for some extra cash. To hone this skill you have and be consistent, you have to make it a business that has solutions not just services. By providing solutions, you will be able to keep a good client list. You will need to make a good brand image. Make your clients feel like you are the ONE whom they can count on in times of need. It is important for your incoming clients to know where you are reachable and can check past client testimonials. Starting any business requires a good brand image and consistency. People should know the name or at least have heard it somewhere; it will automatically bring them closer towards trusting you and your solutions.
2. Loyalty & Marketing
Every brand and business knows how important it is to create a customer loyalty factor. These customers will be the ones that are most satisfied with your services and will continuously return to you because they trust you and you are giving them exactly what they need. It is the best way to grow a business because these clients will tell the people they know how much they like you and how good you are for them. Good word-of-mouth can take a business places! It will automatically increase your client list. So, it is necessary that you treat every client with the utmost care and importance. Always start with a few clients and make sure that they are satisfied to the fullest. Use Social Media. You can create a Facebook group and Instagram page where you can start with by posting a few details of what you do and see how people respond. If your idea clicks with them then there will be no limits and people will be attracted automatically. You can post testimonials and create your brand name. Start being an exclusive coach, not just a catch-all type. Then slowly build your way up and accept more clients.
3. Rent An Office Space or Coworking Space
The third tip and the most importantly the last on our list to help you kick-start your life coaching career is to rent an office. This office should be your private space that represents your style and coaching theme. It should be a welcoming venue for your clients, who should get the feeling that you are professionally capable of helping them with their problems and are worth their time and money. The ambiance of the office should be aesthetically pleasing. Clients should feel like being 'at home.' This will enable them to open up and help you as a coach to better understand their problem. When looking at the type of offices that life coaches actually rent local to us in Louisville, KY the general opinion is that there are a few factors that really make an office a success. The list goes decor and design, location, commute, and pricing. It has to be a hip looking location so it’s stunning for potential or incoming clients. It also has easily accessible. People who are having issues in their lives don’t need to add trouble parking to their list of worries. However, when looking for a place to rent, we advise you avoid a shared space with the wrong type of businesses. Those ‘wrong type’ of businesses include things that require more office work and have a more corporate feel. In other words, it may be a bad idea to practice alongside insurance companies, financial consultants, etc. The space has to match the mood. However, practicing along other health and wellness practitioners can be a big advantage for your business. For one, you have an environment of like-minded individuals who understand the type of work you do. And if you take into account the fact that a shared space with other health and wellness professionals, it should be apparent why it’s an advantage. And this is especially true when you are first starting.
So, these were the top three tips that will help you move forward in your life-coaching career. Remember, these are just the basic tips that are almost required when someone decides to launch a life coaching career. And especially in a profession that is centered around people’s changing needs. And if you need a coworking space tailored for your exact needs, b.mindful Louisville is specifically designed and set up for life coaching businesses. Call or text us at 502-528-1363 for a tour of our space, or Click Here to schedule a walk-through.
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
Have additional questions? Feel free to message me and ask!
Private Practice Doesn’t Have To Live In Never Never Land
But this is why I am here to tell you that everyone (well only if you want to, swear you won’t be forced into opening a private practice by reading this blog) should dip their toes into private practice. Choose to dip a toe into it or take the leap, whatever works best for your life.
Throughout graduate school, it was always a dream of mine to “hang my own shingles” and start my private practice. My professors always painted it as something I MIGHT get to do in a land far, far away but definitely not anytime soon after graduation. In my graduate studies, it was so rarely talked about that I didn't even know all that went into private practice therapy and owning my own business.
So when I decided that I wanted to venture into the private practice world just 2 years after graduation, I was honestly quite lost and felt that I was doing something “wrong” or that I hadn’t “paid my dues” long enough. Thank goodness for my amazing therapy networking community here in Louisville and for all the assistance they provided me (both on the business side, and therapeutically).
I have a feeling this is a similar experience as to what you are going through now or what you went through (or you probably wouldn’t be reading this)!
But this is why I am here to tell you that you (well only if you want to, swear you won’t be forced into opening a private practice by reading this blog) should dip your toes into private practice. Choose to dip a toe into it or take the leap, whatever works best for your life.
Whatever you chose to do, know that opening a private practice is a big move and can surely be intimidating (I mean you are starting your own business, how exciting, but also terrifying…I mean what does that even mean to own a business?!).
This might be something you have never done before, and something you’ll be doing on your own (new topic and doing it alone- real power couple right there, ha). But I am here to tell you that this is something you can do and that it doesn’t have to be so intimidating!
I think a lot of people stop thinking about hanging their own shingle right after having the realization that it is going to be something foreign and that you may be tackling it alone. But the thoughts don’t have to end there. Don’t let the fear of something new stop you from following your dreams and providing needed services to a community that desperately needs them.
I am writing this to help you over the hump, because trust me, private practice is worth it!
Private practice is…
liberating, freeing, and rewarding!
Throughout your journey with private practice, you will find out all sorts of new things about yourself (the good, the bad, and the ugly), and grow as a clinician and person in ways you didn’t see coming.
So, if you have been pondering about starting private practice, either part time or full time, take some time to do your research and be smart about your future moves because the planning and intentionality matter.
Here are some steps you can take during your research phase.
Step #1. Pick your colleague's brain who is in private practice.
These individuals can be the best resources out there. Use it as an excuse to go grab a drink or go to dinner and talk about their beginning days in private practice. 1) everyone likes to drink/eat, and 2) everyone loves to talk about themselves! Also, remember that we are all therapists here, so helping others out is second nature to us.
Step #2. Join mental health practice building Facebook groups.
I know, I know Facebook smacebook. But trust me when I say that this can be a very valuable tool for practice building! You have the option to be as active as you want and Facebook makes it easy for you to search all the past posts so you can find answers to your questions quickly. Your city should have a local networking page for therapists (if it doesn’t then be the one to start it) and there are also national pages as well. Some of my favorite are: Louisville Therapy Networking Group, Abundance Practice Builders, Therapists in Private Practice, Amber Lyda(specializes in online therapy) and Practice of the Practice.
Step #3. Listen to podcasts.
If you haven’t jumped on the podcast bandwagon yet, then hurry up and jump on! You are missing out. This is a great, easy way to get information and learn about all sorts of things (clinical and non-clinical topics). Some of my favorite practice building podcasts are: The Abundance Practice Podcast with Allison Puryear, The Ask Juliet & Clinton Show with Juliet Austin & Clinton Power, and Practice of Being Seen with Rebecca Wong.
Step #4. Find your community.
Whether it be at your current job, at the gym, or in your home. Just make sure you have your group and they are ready to rally. Feel that you don’t have a community? Or thinking of leaving your current place of work to pursue private practice and feeling like you have no one to talk to there? Well then maybe try to find a space to practice in that fosters the community you are looking for. Shared office spaces and communitties like b.mindful Louisville are great for this. By becoming a part of a community such as b.mindful Louisville, you will be provided with the like-minded support network that you so desperately need in this field, as well as all the furnishings and amenities to support your thriving practice.
Step #5. Talk with your “rock”
We’ve all got someone who is our go to, ride or die partner in crime. Don’t care if it is your mom, dad, partner, friend, therapist, or dog. Just talk to someone else about your thoughts of opening a business. I know it always helps me sort through things if I have someone I trust listening to me and providing advice where needed. It can be tough doing it all alone, so remember YOU DON’T HAVE TO!
Step #6. Trust your gut!
Trust your gut (easier said than done, ha). But honestly, if this is something you have been thinking about for a long time, just do it! But, to break that process down for you over-thinkers out there (cough cough not me…)
1) breathe in and relax your muscles
2) ask yourself “what is my gut saying?”
3) explore those thoughts (alone or with a friend)
4) then declare your choice out loud and tell your gut what your choice is.
Just remember that these are just the first steps and doing the initial research will pay off in the long run. I know it can be overwhelming because there are SO MANY places to start and so much information to gather, but just take it slow and remember to rely on your community for support.
Have additional questions? Feel free to message me and ask!
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
I’m a professional counselor and understand the importance of having a safe space to practice in, consulting, networking, having a solid referral list, and being around other like-minded professionals.