Must Have Paperwork For Your Mental Health Private Practice?
Are you wondering if you have the right documentation practices in place and more importantly, if they are set up correctly? Having the right paperwork documents protects and establishes your most important private practice principles. Today we are going to discuss the essential paperwork for your mental health or wellness practice in order to ensure compliance with your state board and HIPAA, protect yourself and your business and maintain transparency with your clients.
With every job there seems to be more paperwork involved than necessary and for mental health professionals that is definitely true when it comes to client documentations and insurance paperwork. Are you wondering if you have the right documentation practices in place and more importantly, if you are doing them correctly? Today we are going to discuss the essential paperwork for your practice in order to ensure compliance with your state board and HIPAA, protect yourself and your business and maintain transparency with your clients.
Let’s dive right into it. Below are the necessary paperwork items you need for your mental health private practice.
Informed Consent
A document outlining your practice policies, expectations and practices. If your current informed consent is only one page, that isn’t long enough. Check with your board on the exact must haves for your specific state and license. Some of the most common items you will need are: limits to counselor/client confidentiality, benefits and risks to counseling, practices around medical records, fees, electronic communication, appointments and cancellation policy, phone contact and emergencies, structure of therapy, and dual relationships.
Check out Kate and Katies video on the 13 must haves.
Financial Agreement
This can be rolled into your informed consent, but I prefer to have a separate document for agreeing to the fees associated with therapy. We’ve all got money issues and either brush over it or don’t mention it at all but we need to be setting firm limits and expectations for our clients and holding true to those (so if you’ve agreed on a fee for a session, charge that fee at the beginning of every session, hold true to your agreement). This form should state your professional fee for services (all services), as well as cancellation charges, policy for if payment was not accepted, authorization to charge card on file, etc.
HIPAA Statement
This can be added to your informed consent if you prefer or can be a separate document. You can download and edit this form using these instructions.
Release of Information (ROI)
So you can talk with your clients current and past providers in order to collaborate and do the best work possible for your clients. Remember to get a ROI signed to talk with ANYONE other than your client and to keep them up to date when they expire.
Intake Paperwork
Paperwork that you want your client to complete prior to the first session with you. Can include: Demographic information, Relevant history gathering, Relationship information, Clinical information, Preferred contact method, etc.
Extras:
Superbill
This is typically only used if you are an out-of-network provider with someone's insurance company and they are wanting to file for possible reimbursement. Typically provided to client on a monthly basis so they can file it with their insurance company. Most EHR platforms will generate this automatically for you but if you are creating your own it needs to have the following: your practice name, address, contact information, NPI #, License #, and Tax ID #, Clients name, address, contact information and DOB, Diagnosis Code, Date of services, service code, description of services and total amount paid to you for services
*Connect your clients with Get Better to assist them in getting reimbursed for services they have paid out of pocket for.
Invoice/Receipt for Services
You should provide your clients with a receipt for their payment. You can easily do this on Canva or with a template from Microsoft Word.
Letterhead
Good to have on hand so when you need to write a formal letter you don’t have to take the extra time to design it then. You can easily do this with Canva or with a template from Microsoft Word.
*All paperwork should be looked over and approved by a business attorney*
At b.mindful Louisville we provide each tenant with full access to our practice building resources. Within the paperwork section we provide detailed information for what needs to be in your informed consent, templates you can alter for your financial agreement, HIPAA statement, ROI, superbill, intake paperwork, scripts and more.
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
If you want to learn more about our rentals, don’t hesitate to reach out to Shannon at Shannon@bmindfullouisville.com or call 502-528-1363. Click here to learn more.
What is the best business entity for your private practice?
You know you want to start your own private practice. That’s awesome! Now… how do you get started? First, you need to determine which business entity is right for you and your business. Think I’m speaking a second language? Read our quick breakdown of the most common types of entities and which is best for different types of independent wellness practices. This will help give you a starting point in making your business official.
Disclaimer: This is not legal or tax advice. This information is for educational purposes only. You should consult with an attorney and a CPA to determine which type of business will best meet your needs.
Being in private practice is not just about having the autonomy to pick your own clients and set your own schedule, it is also a commitment to being an entrepreneur and a business owner. Therefore, the hats we wear day in and day out often switch from clinical to business owner several times. This transition is difficult to juggle for most, but can be even more troublesome for those of us in the helping fields because we are very rarely trained and/or exposed to the business side of things before opening our own private practices.
What is the best business entity for your private practice?
“uh….I don’t know” is usually the response to this question when asked of any counselors, therapist, life coaches or other wellness professionals. They are typically more tied to the helping side of their role and not so much the business ins and outs. BUT REMEMBER (from above) that being in private practice is a commitment to being a business owner. So, to be a competent business owner, we need to know what our options are to be able to decide what fits our individual and business needs best.
To help you get started on determining which entity fits your specific needs, I have compiled a list of the business entity options, a short summary and its common usages for private practice owners.
LLC (Limited Liability Corporation)
Summary: Designed to provide additional liability protection for the business owner compared to a sole proprietorship. By having an LLC it separates your personal assets from your business assets therefore adding an additional barrier of protection against any possible lawsuits against your business. An LLC also allows you to have multiple members/owners and in most states the taxes are passed through the individual members/owners and not the business itself.
Short hand: An LLC is a hybrid that tries to combine the benefits of a sole proprietorship and a the benefits of a corporation.
Commonly used for private practice? Yes. It provides the right amount of protection and flexibility for practice owners and though this is not legal advice, an LLC is the most commonly used entity for private practices in Kentucky.
PLLC or PC (Professional Limited Liability Corporation)
Summary: An entity for individuals with professional licenses (accountants, lawyers, healthcare professionals, architects, etc.). Dependent on your state, some do not allow those with professional licenses to form an LLC and require a PLLC (Kentucky is currently not one of those states). Often requires further documentation and approval from the Secretary of State.
Short hand: Dependent on your state, some will require individuals with professional licenses to get a PLLC and not an LLC (check with your state).
Commonly used for private practice? Most commonly used within group practices that house individuals of similar licensure.
Sole Proprietorship
Summary: Easiest and cheapest entity to form for your business. Unfortunately, with the ease, there are downsides to this entity. The financial, legal and other risks associated to your business are directly tied to you personally. There is no separation of business and personal assets (investments, home, car, etc.) therefore putting your personal assets at risk if there ever be a business lawsuit or downfall.
Short hand: Easiest and cheapest to establish for your practice but comes with risks.
Commonly used for private practice? Though you can legally run your private practice as a sole proprietor, it is not typically suggested to do so (due to the lack of protection and separation of your business and personal assets). Even if you are starting small and plan to grow your practice to a part time or full-time case load, it is suggested to start out with another entity for increased protection. Again, this is not legal advice, but if you have no personal assets (home, car, investments…) and plan to keep your case load small forever, a sole proprietorship may work for you. Please check with an attorney prior to doing so.
Partnerships
Summary: When two people enter into a business arrangement together. This entity has similar risks as sole proprietorships (lack of protection) but with some of the tax benefits of an LLC.
Short hand: Entity hybrid for two individuals entering into a business together with the downfalls of a sole proprietorship and some of the benefits of an LLC.
Commonly used for private practice? Not commonly used for private practices. Group practices or shared ownership practices are typically going to align more with an LLC or PLLC.
Corporations
Summary: Are owned by its shareholders and require a board of directors. They are also subjected to other requirements such as annual reports, business filings, etc.
Short hand: C-Corp or an S-Corp (different designations for tax purposes)
Commonly used for private practice? Most commonly, private practice owners will start with an LLC and then once they are profiting a certain amount their accountant and/or attorney may suggest an S or C-Corp for various tax benefits it can provide the company.
Non-profits
Summary: All entities listed above are “for profit” companies (meaning their sole purpose is to make money for the owners, shareholders, and members). However, a “non profit” business entity is focused on funneling the money made to provide some sort of public benefit or cause and not distributing it all back to the owners.
Short hand: A company that uses the surplus of its revenues to further achieve its ultimate objective rather than distributing more money to its owners and members.
Commonly used for private practice? This entity is sometimes used for larger private practices. There are several different options for nonprofit organizations, so it is recommended to talk with an attorney to figure out what is the best option for you.
In summary the most common business entities used for mental health and wellness professionals in private practice are an LLC, PLLC, or sole proprietorship. Growing popularity is to become an LLC compared to sole proprietorship as a private practice provider. This allows more separation of your personal assets from your business assets in case there was ever a lawsuit against your practice. However, it is important to note that this is a different type of protection than having malpractice or general liability insurance. Those insurances are also needed to protect you and provide you with the support to fight a lawsuit. But they do not set any protective lines for distinguishing between your personal and professional assets (as certain business entities would).
To begin creating your business entity, start by researching the laws of your individual state to identify any specific restrictions or policies for your field. Learn more here.
At b.mindful Louisville we provide you with the business building resources that ease the process for you in learning all things business. We have direct links, contacts, resources and numbers for you to take advantage of so you can spend less time on Google pulling your hair out and more time growing your business.
Stuart Adams is a Louisville, Kentucky based attorney who can assist you all things business and ensuring your have the appropriate entities and regulations in place to protect you and your business assets.
Disclaimer: This is not legal or tax advice. This information is for educational purposes only. You should consult with an attorney and a CPA to determine which type of business will best meet your needs.
Have additional questions about our office rentals for mental health and wellness professionals in Louisville, KY? 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.
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
How To Keep Yourself Safe In Your Private Practice
There are a million details to plan for and think through when starting your own business. As a mental health or wellness professional, one of the most important elements to consider is safety. Safety for yourself as a practitioner and your clients. There are a lot of safety measures to think about when evaluating office space for your practice. Read on to learn about just a few of the areas of safety that b.mindful Louisville was created to address for you and your practice.
There are lots of things to plan for and think about when going into business for yourself. But in the mental health and wellness fields there is an added level of intentionality needed for everything we do with our clients. As certified mental health professionals, it is critical to make sure that this extends into our business thought process as well.
After getting all your business paperwork filed, business entities formed, clinical paperwork in order, and networking events attended; you would think the planning should be done right? Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there. One of the most important elements in your practice is client and practitioner safety.
Below we will break down the most important safety items to keep in mind when finding your office, setting it up, and scheduling clients to ensure you have appropriate safety precautions set in place for your items, your clients and most importantly you.
When looking for an office space…
Ensure the office you are looking at has a lock on the office door or the ability to add one.
Best case scenario for your new office would be that your office door does not lead to the exterior of the building and that there are some interior barriers between you and the outside.
Make sure that the office you are looking at has more than one exit and that you know where all the exits are.
Think about where all exits lead to. Does it lead to a busy street? Does it lead to an alley way?
Think about the parking situation. Is the parking close by? Does it require a lengthy walk from the office door? Is it well lit?
Think about who is around you. Are you renting an office in a space where you will be the only one working late or weekends? Suggestion to rent somewhere around other like-minded health and wellness professionals with similar schedules so you aren’t the only one in the building at all times.
When setting up your office space…
When configuring the furniture in your office, ensure that there are no barriers between you and the door and that you are sitting closest to the door.
Look at the décor in your office and evaluate what could be used as a potential weapon. Remove items that could be dangerous to you or your clients.
If you have a waiting area, think about the population you work with and if giving them a locker in the waiting area would be appropriate. This then limits the possibility of dangerous items being brought back to your office.
If not already developed, make an office-wide emergency plan (fire, power loss, tornado, active shooter, agitated client…).
When scheduling new clients…
A great suggestion is to screen potential clients before scheduling intake appointments with a free 15-minute consultation call. Use this time to ask pertinent questions in regard to safety and to ensure that they are a good fit for your practice and expertise.
If possible, try not to schedule new client appointments late into the night or as your last appointment of the day.
If your office is around other people, give yourself an out and allow colleagues to interrupt if they hear a client getting volatile. Discuss with your coworkers that they can knock to inform you that you have a call or ask for your assistance with something.
Extras…
If possible, you can label one of your rooms a “panic” room so everyone in the office knows where to go in case of an emergency.
You can download specific apps for your phone that act as a panic button and will call emergency authorities at the touch of a button. Certain smart watches will do this as well. Panic Button Apps
Keep your cell phone near you or in your pocket during sessions in case of an emergency.
You can learn self-defense techniques. 5 Self Defense Moves Everyone Should Know
Of course, we hope that no one ever has to use these suggestions and techniques in real life but always better to be safe and prepared than in danger and not having a plan.
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
b.mindful Louisville takes the safety of our tenants and their clients very seriously. We designed our offices with mental health and wellness professionals in mind and have taken care of a lot of safety measures for you. Our goal is to ensure our tenants feel confident, secure and prepared to tackle whatever comes into their office that day.
Okay, So I Ordered Business Cards…Now What?
So much of the private practice business is built on our networking skills. Having business cards with you at all times allows you to give out your information at a moment’s notice. As soon as people find out you are in a mental health or wellness profession, they always seem to know someone who is looking for a recommendation. Help build your reference network by making sure people can easily remember your name and how to get in touch with you by keeping business cards handy.
Short answer…
TAKE THEM OUT OF YOUR DESK DRAWER AND USE THEM!
Long answer…
Leave some…
in your car
in your wallet
in your bags (all of them)…
EVERYWHERE!
You would be surprised how many times people have asked me “do you have a card” after telling them I am a mental health counselor. It has happened to be at my annual doctors appointments, at the hair salon, volunteering events and many, many more. Thankfully, I was prepared and had a card available to pass along to them!
Be intentional with who you give them to and how many you give them
Before handing someone your card, think about who they are, and why they want your card (or why you want them to have your card). Are they going to use your card for personal use? Do they want to give your card to someone else? Are they in a position to refer multiple people to you? Dependent on the question, you may want to provide them with more than one card. If it is a potential referral source, you can invite them to email you if they are ever needing more cards from you.
Don’t be too pushy
Don’t enter a networking event with a stack of business cards in your hand and introduce yourself to people by giving them a business card. 1) it looks weird and 2) some people may not want your business card so don’t force it on them. A better way to navigate the business card exchange is to 1) ask that individual if they want one of your cards or 2) ask them for their card (and usually they will ask for yours as well)
Follow up
If you exchange business cards with someone, follow up with them. Send them a short email letting them know how nice it was to meet them and how you would love to grab a coffee sometime to get to know more about their business.
Remember the importance of networking your mental health and wellness practice is not to turn all those coffee dates into clients, but to build connections and inform them of the services you provide. Because each and every one of these people you network with knows someone who needs mental health or wellness services and when their friend asks them “do you know a good [insert wellness profession] …” your name will be fresh on their mind and they may refer them to you!
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
Have additional questions? Feel free to message me and ask!
Business Card 101
Your business card is often the first impression of your business. Make sure it represents your brand and ensures that recipients can get in touch with you. Unsure of how to make the best impression with your business card? We have compiled the top business card questions and answers to them to help you make sure your first impression is the right one.
For a lot of us in the mental health profession, our business is built on referrals and recommendations. A quick and easy way to increase this practice is to have creative and informative business cards on hand at all times. But having a card with too much or too little information can be a poor first impression of your business. Below we answer the top business card questions and how to avoid etiquette mistakes.
Top business card questions answered:
What should go on them?
Logo and Tagline
Only if you have one. If you don’t, that’s okay. You don’t have to wait to order business cards until you have a logo and tagline. Your business cards can always be altered throughout the growth of your business and reordered.
Name and Functional Job Title
Contact Information
Dependent on your role, you may not need your address. Typically, an email and phone number are enough.
Website URL
Social Media Platforms - if helpful
You only want to list social media handles if you have an active social presence and it serves your business by directing people to the platforms. If you don’t frequently post on your social sites or use social media to promote parts of your business, it’s best to leave the social media URLs off of your card.
White Space
Creativity
Where can I design and order business cards?
• Canva
• MOO
What do I write on the business card?
Not too much! Remember to leave white space on your card and not overcrowd the surface with words, patterns, or designs.
What shape business card should I get?
There are lots of options. All different shapes, sizes, and thickness. Think practically when picking the shape and size of your card and choose something that aligns with your brand. I personally went with a square card for one of my businesses and get a lot of positive feedback on it. Caution to getting business cards that are too small, or odd shapes because you don’t want people to misplace them and you want people to be able to put them in their wallets.
What colors should I use?
Be consistent with your branding colors. For example, if your office and website are all light and whimsical, don’t make your cards black or with bright colors. Remain consistent with the same color palette and maybe just use different shades of those colors.
How many do I order?
The more you order the cheaper they will be per card. But I would start out with 100 or so to see how you like them, and what feedback you get (if any) when handing them out. From there I would make changes if needed and then order more to ensure you don’t run out.
So now that your informed on what should be on a business card, you might be thinking “why do I even need a business card, it’s not 2001” or “what do I even do with the business cards when they arrive.”
Find out why your business still needs business cards here.
Find out what to do with your business cards when they arrive here.
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
Have additional questions? Feel free to message me and ask!
*permission was granted by business owners to use their cards as examples
Benefits Of Business Cards
Even in today’s digital era, business cards definitely still have a place in the business world. A business card can be what makes or breaks their first impression of you and your business. A well designed, informative business card paired with a solid handshake will leave an impression at your next networking event, the good kind. It should be considered one of the first pieces in marketing your private practice or consultation business.
I hear you out there saying, “Business cards? What?! Who uses those anymore? It’s not 2000 anymore.” Sounds so old school, right? I know, I know but even in the digital age we shouldn’t forget about print marketing. It still has a place in this world and personally I think it’s a vital one.
With a majority of our marketing efforts directed to digital marketing platforms it is easy to forget about or discard the benefits of some print marketing, such as business cards. Now don’t get me wrong, digital marketing has been a game changer in many ways and even with our relationship to business cards. There are now tons of apps out there that organize your business cards and make connections for you. Therefore, making it easier for you to follow up and keep track of them opposed to throwing them in a drawer and never looking at them again.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Business Cards
1. Business cards are one of the cheapest, most effective marketing tools
Digital marketing (email campaigns, SEO, social media, paid media…) are all great tools to use to attract leads and prospects, but they require more money and possible outsourcing. Business cards are something that you can 1) design by yourself 2) afford easily 3) execute by yourself. No matter how much money you spend on your marketing efforts, nothing is going to pay off more than an in-person meeting sealed with a handshake along with a business card exchange.
2. Business cards can assist you in remembering things
How many of you have been at a conference, meeting or networking event and strike up a conversation with someone, become interested in what they do, and then they have to leave and you don’t get to finish the conversation. So, you’re left thinking “Wow Sally was really great, and her business sounds so interesting and there would be some overlap in the clientele we see, I wish I knew her email address to follow up with her.”
. . .
WELL if you had business cards and were able to exchange cards before leaving the conversation, you would have the physical card and information to remind you to follow up with her to continue that conversation and to build the relationship and referral base.
3. Business cards are more personal than digital connections
Networking is all about making genuine, long lasting connections with people. Though it can be more convenient to whip out your phone and get their email or phone number; it isn’t as personal. Making eye contact, having an engaged conversation and then exchanging business cards at the end is going to show the other individual that you are confident, capable and professional. And honestly, we all know that once you get your phone out, it’s not that easy to put it away, and you don’t want to be that person at a networking event sitting in the corner on their phone.
4. Business cards could be the first interaction someone will have with your brand
Think about those big-name brands you buy and interact with every day. What are some words that come to mind after hearing those liked, and familiar brands? Hopefully they are good words, and if not, maybe rethink interacting with a company that doesn’t leave you feeling good. So, applying this to you, for your business brand you want to ensure that you are leaving people with a calm, welcoming, warm (or whatever you are hoping to evoke) feeling and not a cheap, cold, or unapproachable (or whatever you are hoping to avoid) feeling. Use this thought frame work when designing your business cards, because your business cards may be the first interaction someone has with your brand.
5. Having business cards available shows others that you are prepared
Just imagine this. You are talking to two individuals who both spark your interest and you want to connect further with them, so you ask them if you could get their email to continue this conversation at a later date. One reaches into their bag and is scrambling to find a pen and a piece of paper to write their email down and the other one reaches into their wallet and hands you a business card. Just based on this interaction, who would you want to reach out to first? Showing that you are prepared at all times is a great indicator that you are a true professional.
So now that you’ve learned some new things about business cards and are thinking about getting some for your small business, bet you have some questions that popped up.
Like…
Where do I order business cards? What do I write on the business card? What shape business card should I get? What colors should I use? How many do I order?
Find all those answers and more, here.
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
Have additional questions? Feel free to message me and ask!
Financial Planning For Mental Health And Wellness Professionals
In today’s blog post, I ask my financial planner, Mary Williams, CFP®, MBA, Vice President, Investments with Raymond James and Associates some questions about personal and business finances and how to navigate this world as a solo entrepreneur or a small business owner.
In today’s blog post, I ask my financial planner, Mary Williams, CFP®, MBA, Vice President, Investments, Wealth Management Solutions of Raymond James & Associates some questions about personal and business finances and how to navigate this world as a solo entrepreneur or a small business owner. Mary Williams became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional 16 years ago with the intent of helping others, specifically woman, become more educated about and empower them to take charge of their financial well-being and futures.
Interview:
Shannon- What is the difference between a financial planner and an accountant?
Mary- A financial planner is someone who can assist you in reaching your personal and professional financial goals. With individuals who are self-employed the lines between personal and business finances become quickly blurred. A financial planner is trained to work with you to set clearly defined goals and work with you one on one to create a detailed plan with steps to help you get there. Whether it be saving for retirement, buying your first house, or wanting to expand your office location; a financial planner can assist you in looking into the future so you can live now but also have appropriate assets set aside to reach those goals.
An accountant is a great person to have on your team and a fantastic resource in general (even if you are good with numbers). They can assist you in managing your day in and day out numbers of your business. For example, your accounts payable, accounts receivable, tax planning, filing your taxes, etc. They will assist you in getting your numbers straight in order to see what the health of your business is and what the future steps you can take to profiting even more.
Shannon- Tips to effectively put away and save for taxes, emergencies, business expansions, etc.
Mary- For both your personal and business finances, I think it is most helpful to have different savings accounts for your goals and to have a set amount directly deposited from your checking to your savings. So, for your business maybe you have a different savings account for self-employment taxes, emergencies, future office expansion growth, etc. and for your personal you have an emergency fund, a vacation fund, a house reno fund, etc.
Shannon- What are some of the specific plans that small business owners can look into for retirement?
Mary- Dependent on your business structure there are several different options. If you are a solo entrepreneur you can contribute to a Traditional IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or a SEP Plan. A financial planner could assist you in deciding what the best fit for you would be since each of the plans has different limits and benefits.
Shannon- How much of someone’s total income should be put into a retirement account? What is one thing that someone can do today to save more for retirement?
Mary- It’s not a straight forward answer because it’s based on what lifestyle you live now, and what lifestyle you want to have in retirement, but ideally 15%-20%. Now don’t let that number scare you. A lot of people say, “oh no I cannot do 20%”, so they don’t do anything. If you start little by little and build your way up its going to pay off in the end. You’ve got to start somewhere so maybe it’s at 3%-5% right now, and that’s fine. Every time you get a pay bump you can contribute more and more until you reach that 15%-20% range. When you get an influx of income, or a raise, don’t look at it as “oh now I have more money in my pocket I can go get a new car” but more so of “oh now I have more money, I can now fund my retirement, new house, business expansion account to the levels I want.” This mindset will allow you to be more intentional in your purchases as well as being preventative for the future!
Shannon- What is your opinion on how much money one should have saved in their personal savings account for emergencies? What about for their business savings account for emergencies?
Mary- For your personal emergency account, if you are the sole provider in your household, I suggest having enough in there to cover your expenses and current lifestyle for 6 months. For your business emergency fund, I would suggest having enough to cover the overheard costs for a minimum of 6 months.
Shannon- What is the #1 financial mistake you see people doing within their business?
Mary- This is a tough one. I have two that stick out to me. 1) Putting 100% of the business profits back into the business. By doing this the business owner is not paying themselves, not putting away for taxes, not saving for emergencies, retirement, vacations, etc. 2) Individuals who are starting a business later in life, possibly as a 2ndcareer, sometimes drain their current retirement fund and investments to fund their new business. By doing this, they are putting themselves in a very risky position and providing themselves with limited cushion to fall back on if their business is not as successful as planned.
Shannon- Do you have any advice for business owners who are struggling with how much they should pay themselves? Should they take 100% of the profits? Take a smaller percentage?
Mary- This isn’t a straight forward answer, but after your business is turning a profit, you need to pay yourself enough to live the lifestyle you want. For some that make be close to 100% of the profits and for others that may look more like 50%, dependent on your lifestyle. I sometimes find it easier to work backwards in situations like this and figure out how much money each month it takes to live the lifestyle your living with the business that you are running and then figuring out what you need to pay yourself to cover your expenses plus funding your personal and business savings accounts.
I would definitely fund your emergency accounts first (and don’t dip into them unless it’s for an emergency), and then start putting a little bit away at a time for your retirement, buying a new house, expanding your business, etc. The most important thing though is to start putting away for your retirement early. So many people say, “I don’t have enough to fund all these accounts, so I just won’t put away for retirement because I am 20, 30, 40 years old…”. Problem here is that most of those people don’t just put it off for a year but continue putting it off until they are nearing the age of retirement. If done appropriately, or with the help of a financial planner, you will be able to fund all your accounts little by little and be able to live the lifestyle you want to now and in the future.
Shannon- What is one thing you would like to tell all practice owners with regards to financial planning?
Mary- To not be embarrassed . Whether it be about how much or how little money you have, or about admitting that you haven’t been saving for your retirement as you should have been, or maybe not even at all. Allow yourself to face your fear of not wanting to share this with someone, because if you don’t tell someone, they cannot help you and therefore you will just remain stuck in a place you don’t want to be.
I provide a complimentary hour session to meet with individuals and sort through their personal and business finances. We use this time to evaluate their current state and assess if they are on the right path to meeting their goals. If not, then we explore the different options they have and possibly what working together might look like.
Closing notes:
We’ve all got money issues and as mental health and wellness professionals we know that issues are normal and at times unavoidable. But we also know that if we ignore our issues they can turn into negative patterns and sometimes even derail us from reaching our goals. With this knowledge, along with the fact that what the future has in store for us is unknown. We need to do all that we can to plan for and take control of our financial futures. If you are not already connected with a financial planner, I would highly suggest adding “research and meet with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional” to your to do list (and then actually doing it)!
Below are some addition resources Mary Williams pulled together that may be beneficial to your business.
Retirement Plans For A Small Business
Contact information:
Mary T. Williams, CFP®, MBA
Vice President, Investments
Wealth Management Solutions of
Raymond James & Associates
100 North Point Center East, Suite 300
Alpharetta, GA 30022
678-746-1503
Have additional questions? Feel free to message me and ask!
I’m Shannon, a professional counselor, that understands the importance of having a safe space to practice in, consulting, networking, having a solid referral list, and being around other like-minded professionals.
*Any opinions are those of Mary Williams and not necessarily those of Raymond James. The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Raymond James financial advisors do not render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.
Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Raymond James & Associates, INC ., member New York Stock Exchange/ SIPC
4 Tips To Save Big When Opening Your Practice
When considering opening a business, one of the first obstacles you face may be the required financial investment. This doesn’t have to be a barrier to starting your private practice though. I have compiled 4 tips to save money when starting a business that can help ease some of the financial investment of a start up.
Opening a business is obviously going to require a financial investment on your end, and that reality can really suck sometimes. A recent article I read stated that:
“I learned that it is possible to pursue business ownership with around $15,000. To go big places, you’ll always need more money. But you can start out with very little as long as you take care of some careful planning and are passionate about your company.”
Great words of wisdom, but a majority of mental health and wellness professionals don’t have an extra $15,000 laying around (sure would be nice though!). Heck, most people don’t even have an extra $1,000 hanging out in the bank.
So, what do you do when you have limited financial backing but still really want to open up shop?
Unfortunately, a lot of people’s answer to this is to not start their private practice because they think you need to have thousands to do so.
This reality doesn’t settle well with me because I am a firm believer that everyone should be able to follow their dreams and get there in whatever fashion suits them best. Remember that being in private practice is a commitment to be an entrepreneur and being an entrepreneur is a commitment to thinking outside the box.
If you are having a hard time thinking outside the box on money saving tactics, keep reading and I will connect you with resources so you how you can lower your overhead costs and turn a profit even faster.
4 Tips To Save Big When Opening Your Practice
Use shared office space
b.mindful Louisville Group Room (Moberly Photography)
When another therapist isn’t using their office, you could use it! No one works 24/7, therefore freeing up some time that an office is sitting empty and could be subleased out to another clinician. Similar to this, there are specific companies, like b.mindful Louisville, that are dedicated to supplying mental health and wellness professionals with safe, clean, modern and practical offices to use for their practices. These are great cost-efficient options for those just starting out or for those that don’t want to hassle with the big investment of first/last month’s rent, furnishing, decorating and upkeep of an office.
Skip the advertising
A big mistake people make in the beginning stages of opening their private practice is funneling a lot of money into marketing, and frankly this just isn’t necessary right at the start. In order to have an effective advertising campaign one must have a clear marketing message, have disposable income to test what works and what doesn’t, and have the goal of bringing in the masses.
For most mental health and wellness professionals we don’t have a clear marketing message in the beginning, don’t have tons of extra cash flow (hence why you find yourself reading this blog) and don’t need to bring in 1000s of clients. Instead of spending money on advertising right now, what you should do is hone in on your marketing message. You can do this by attending networking events, clinical trainings, and talking with other professionals about what it is you do and taking note on how they respond. With this data, you can then tweak your message and elevator speech to ensure it is clear and to the point.
Use social media
In order to have a good website and maintain your SEO appropriately you will either have to hire out (and spend hundreds or thousands of dollars) or you will have to dedicate time out of your weeks to build out and maintain your site. If you have the extra $ to hire out, go for it, or if you have the drive and excitement to build out your site and learn the ins and outs of SEO for yourself, go for it. But if you are strapped for cash and aren’t digitally savvy or have any desire in learning SEO take advantage of the free online tools that are already out there!
Google+: Allows you to add your business so you’ll pop up in Google local searches.
Facebook: Allows you to create a professional looking business page that other professionals and clients can interact with all while keeping your personal page private. Also it is very easy to link your FB and Instagram accounts so everything posted on Instagram is automatically posted to Facebook.
LinkedIn: Perfect to connect with other professionals and also provides a free blogging platform.
Instagram, Twitter, Reddit: Depending on the age of your ideal clientele, it may be beneficial to have one of these accounts as well in order to meet your clients where they are hanging out.
YouTube: Fantastic, free video platform to post Q&A, interviews with other professionals, and provides a great space to reach your ideal clients via video.
Take advantage of the free incentives that directory sites offer
Majority of the online directories will offer between 1 - 6 months free if you were referred by a current member, so be sure to take advantage of this! Reminder to take your time when writing your profile, and don’t rush through it to get something posted quickly. This may be the first interaction a prospective client has with you and you want to ensure you come off as calm, professional, competent, welcoming and approachable. If you are having a hard time figuring out how to do all of this, check out this amazing resource!
Final Takeaways
There are many ways to save when starting your private practice, and I decided to just touch on 4 of the most important ones in order to not overwhelm the most likely already overwhelmed business owner!
The difference between been an entrepreneur and a smart, long-lasting entrepreneur is the ability to know when to pull back and allow others to assist you and when to jump in and get your hands dirty doing it yourself. If you feel like you are stuck in the middle and don’t know where to turn, don’t hesitate to reach out to Shannon with b.mindful Louisville and see how our office rentals, supportive community, and business building resources can assist you and your business.
But remember that you can do it and that you aren’t alone!
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
Shared Office Space VS. Traditional Office Leases
For most solo entrepreneurs, working from home is the most affordable option and the easiest. But for a mental health or wellness professional, working from home may not be an option due to the unique needs of a mental health or wellness practice. Traditional office leases don’t always understand these unique challenges, which is why shared office spaces, like b.mindful Louisville, are a better fit for many private practices.
For most solo entrepreneurs, working from home is the cheapest option. But with domestic distractions and the loneliness that often creeps in when working for yourself, working from home is not always the desired choice.
Focusing specifically on mental health and wellness solo entrepreneurs, having your sole office at home is not always desirable or may not even be an option due to the unique needs of mental health and wellness private practices and your clients, as well as concerns with confidentiality.
One of the downsides to being a solo clinician is a loss or lessened sense of community. This can have drastic and direct impacts on your work/life satisfaction and your ability to grow and scale your business. Specifically, for mental health and wellness professionals whose chosen careers are already so demanding of your intentional time and energy.
When looking for an office space, if finding the right office, furnishing it, keeping up with the bills/supplies and finding someone to sublease the space when you are not using the office… does not sound appealing to you; you might be in the market to rent within a shared office space. There are several benefits to doing so, and even more if that space was designed with mental health and wellness professionals in mind.
Below we will focus on b.mindful Louisville, which is a shared workspace for mental health and wellness professionals in Louisville, KY. We will dive into the perks you can expect when renting an office within their co-working suite.
Perk 1. Affordable Office Space
In order to sign a lease for an office most landlords require first and last month’s rent and a security deposit. Whatever your monthly rent is, this will be a hefty amount to fork over to someone before seeing your first client. On top of that, you now have to furnish the office, stock said office with supplies, and ensure that your electric, water, and WiFi bills are paid on time each month.
While running a business, that often comes with unexpected events; keeping track of the bills, supplies and the upkeep of an office can often push us over the edge from being busy to feeling overwhelmed. In order to avoid this, it would be in your best interest to rent from a shared workspace. Shared workspaces work from a unique business model which allows them to split the costs of furnishings, utilities and amenities across several tenants making it affordable for all.
Perk 2. High End Office Décor And Better Location
With most things in life, some of the best things come with a high price tag attached to them. But with shared offices spaces, the tenants are able to get the best for an affordable cost. With every rental, tenants will get high end, durable furnishings and a convenient location for an affordable monthly price due to the benefits of its unique business structure. b.mindful Louisville is located in the Bashford Manor neighborhood, directly off the Watterson Expressway with easy access to downtown, South Louisville, the East End and public transportation.
Perk 3. Fast Setup
By eliminating your need to buy furniture, décor and office supplies you save money and there is no need to block off an entire weekend to move and set up your office. b.mindful Louisville offices are furnished and ready for you to start seeing clients the second after you sign your lease!
Perk 4. Free Amenities
Within traditional leases and having your own office space, you are responsible for paying utilities, supplies, amenities, etc. With shared office spaces all of that is included in the cost of your rent. For example, if you rent a 4.5 hour block from b.mindful Louisville one day a week, you will have access to all the same amenities that an individual who rents 4 full days a week has.
Some of the most popular amenities are free coffee and tea for you and your clients, WiFi access, print/scan/fax, separate entrance and exit for clients, onsite parking, professional cleaning services and a built-in like-minded environment. Having these extra perks custom to your private practice’s unique needs makes this office rental much more than just a physical space. Learn more about the amenities included in every b.mindful Louisville rental here.
Perk 5. Flexible
Some of the benefits of being a mental health or wellness professional in private practice is that you know have higher levels of autonomy and flexibility with what clientele you will see, when you will see them and for how long. Unfortunately, traditional office leases do not align with the unpredictability of life and your caseload. Below is an example of how a clinician that was new to private practice used b.mindful Louisville rentals without having to make large business sacrifices.
Tenant started out with 1 block rental (4.5 hours) and used the 1st month to logistically set up and start marketing her practice before having any clients. She said the office space was extremely helpful for her to have a space outside her house that she could go to clear her mind, knock out her to do list and have other clinicians around to bounce ideas off of. After a lot of time and effort put into the start up of her practice, she got her first few clients! After some more hard work in the networking arena, her case load out grew her 4.5 hour block rental so she decided to start a new lease and do a 24 hour rental to accommodate her growing practice.
Here at b.mindful Louisville, we understand that a majority of you in private practice are in it because you love being an entrepreneur, and love the flexibility and autonomy brought forward by working for yourself. Therefore, if the office space is available, we are always willing to start you a new lease in another office that better meets your growing private practice’s needs.
Perk 6. Opportunities For Networking
Not all co-working spaces, or shared offices emphasize community, but b.mindful Louisville does. Being a tenant of b.mindful Louisville is so much more than just writing a monthly check to your office landlord. We are interested in creating a like-minded, safe environment for you and your clients while providing you with full-service amenities and serving you to the best of our abilities.
Final Thought
It is important to note for mental health and wellness professionals, that not all fully furnished office rentals are created with your specific needs in mind. At b.mindful Louisville, we take security and confidentiality very seriously in order to create a like-minded supporting environment and to ease the process of being a human helper.
We would love to show you the space and learn more about the wonderful services you are providing to our community. Feel free to browse our website and reach out to schedule a tour.
Have additional questions? Feel free to message me and ask!
I’m Shannon, a professional counselor, that understands the importance of having a safe space to practice in, consulting, networking, having a solid referral list, and being around other like-minded professionals.
Worry Free - Full Amenity Office Rentals
b.mindful Louisville provides safe, clean, practical, & modern offices tailored specifically to meet the needs of mental health and wellness professionals in private practice. We make it easy for you to enter your office each day feeling secure, confident, and prepared to tackle what the world brings to you.
b.mindful Louisville provides safe, clean, practical, & modern offices for mental health and wellness professionals in private practice. We make it easy for you to enter your office each day feeling secure, confident, and prepared to tackle what the world brings to you.
We know the work mental health and wellness professionals do is so important, and vital to our community’s success, and we understand how demanding these chosen careers are on your mental, emotional, cognitive and physical energy levels. Therefore, we don’t want you to have to do anything more than run your business. We handle the maintenance of the office, paying of the bills, stocking of office supplies/amenities and many more so you can focus on your clients’ needs and the growth of your business.
Below are our amenities included in every rental:
Practice Building Resources
From the baseline physical criteria needed to open a private practice, to the clinical must haves, and the items to do and figure out while growing your practice. We’ve got the support and resources available for you to use to build and create a thriving practice.
Private waiting area
With separate entrance and exit to ensure client confidentiality, complimentary drinks, reading material and a revolving slide show displaying the clinicians in the space, as well as upcoming local events.
Professional collaboration
Bond with your office mates, & build a community of like-minded individuals that can assist each other in becoming the best mental health & wellness professionals possible.
Secure personal & file storage
In office shelf storage, break area storage, HIPAA compliant file cabinet, and locked lockers for purchase.
WIFI & printing
High speed WIFI provided. As well as printing, scanning and faxing services.
ADA compliant
First floor office suite with two ADA compliant restrooms and 8 offices.
Office supplies
All supplies included in cost of rent. Includes: paper, pens, highlighters, envelopes, tissues, etc.
Smart locks
Heightened security measures for your clients, you and your items.
Cleaning services
Weekly cleaning services provided by professionals.
Modern design
Newly renovated and fully-furnished office suite outfitted for mental health and wellness professionals.
Parking
On-site parking for you and your clients.
Mailing address
For your business in order to separate and protect your home address.
Complimentary drinks
Coffee/tea/water available for you and your clients.
Commuter friendly
Conveniently located in the Bashford Manor neighborhood. Directly off the Watterson Expressway with easy access to downtown, south Louisville, the east end and near public transportation.
Table & chairs
Treatment table provided for providers who do energy work, and extra chairs (12) available for those who do family, or group work.
Easy access to office manager
Renting from b.mindful Louisville is so much more than just writing a monthly check to your office landlord. We are here to walk by your side & ease the process of being an independent service provider.
By becoming a part of our community, you will be provided with the like-minded support network that you so desperately need in this field, as well as all the furnishings & amenities to support your thriving practice.
Renting from b.mindful Louisville is so much more than just writing a monthly check to your office landlord. We are here to walk by your side & ease the process of being an independent service provider.
Call us at 502-528-1363 for a tour of our space, or click here to schedule a walkthrough.
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.
Fully-Furnished Office Space For Mental Health and Wellness Professionals In Louisville
Do you want to focus on the important part of starting your private practice - actually focusing on your clients and meeting their needs? Then you may benefit from renting a fully furnished office space that gives you the peace of mind that your space is always prepared for you and your clients without the headache of a rental space upkeep and maintenance.
Are you a new business owner?
In need of office space?
Not in the space, or don’t want to furnish an office by yourself?
Need a temporary or second office location?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you might be in the market to rent a fully furnished office space opposed to renting a blank slate.
Renting a fully furnished office space does have its limits, such as individualization of décor. But the affordability, convenience and ease definitely out way the negatives.
Below we will specifically focus on a shared workspace for mental health and wellness professionals in Louisville, Kentucky called b.mindful Louisville.
5 Reasons To Rent A Fully Furnished Office
Turn key
o No need to stress about what furniture to buy, where this chair should go, that desk should go and if this artwork goes well with that pillow.
o No need to fret about scheduling a big move, or how you are going to transport and carry that couch and desk.
o b.mindful Louisville’s fully furnished offices are turn key and are already designed, furnished, stocked with the necessities and ready to go! The idea is to make it as easy as possible for you to enter your office each day feeling secure, confident and prepared to tackle what the world brings to you.
Great for short term use
o Do you only need an office once or twice a week? Are you between offices, or new to Louisville? Dependent on your needs, renting a fully furnished office space could be a smart move and make for a smooth transition.
Offers convenience
o With affordability and accessibility being the two most important factors to consider when renting office space, it is important to note that b.mindful Louisville offers both.
o Afforability: Fully furnished office spaces have the ability to spread out the cost of furnishings and amenities among multiple tenants. Therefore, making overhead costs less expensive for each tenant. At b.mindful Louisville the prices are structured in a way so each tenant can walk away profiting after their first day seeing clients!
o Accessibility: b.mindful Louisville is located in the Bashford Manor neighborhood, directly off the Watterson Expressway with easy access to downtown, South Louisville, the East End and public transportation.
Low startup costs
o This is a given, but it needs to be said. By renting a fully furnished office you will not have to buy any furniture. This will save you time, lots of money and the hassle of having to move your furniture in and out of the office.
Helps new businesses get moving fast
o By eliminating your need to buy furniture, décor, and office supplies your overhead startup costs are drastically lowered. Therefore, allowing your business to have more disposable income for other expenses, and/or allowing your business to see a profit even faster!
It is important to note for mental health and wellness professionals, that not all fully furnished office rentals are created with your specific needs in mind. At b.mindful Louisville, we take security and confidentiality very seriously in order to create a like-minded supporting environment and to ease the process of being a human helper.
Call us at 502-528-1363 for a tour of our space, or click here to schedule a walkthrough.
Shannon Gonter, LPCC
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.
Importance Of Design Within The Office
On top of your mental health or wellness degree, did you also happen to pick up an interior design degree? The answer is going to be a hard no for the bulk of us. So, what now? How are do we design an office that we both love and want to spend our days in but also make our clients feel welcomed and secure in?
On top of your mental health or wellness degree, did you also happen to pick up an interior design degree? The answer is going to be a hard no for the bulk of us. So, what now? How are we supposed to design an office that we both love and want to spend our days in but also make our clients feel welcomed and secure in?
Well I am not an interior designer by any means, but I do have an interest in it, have an eye for what looks good together and am obsessed with the idea that simple touches and décor can have such a large impact on how we feel when we are inside a room.
If you aren’t in the same boat as I am and are feeling completely lost when it comes to office design, ask yourself these questions.
What do I use my office for?
Is my office comfortable?
Are there organizational systems in place?
Do the colors within the space evoke any emotions?
Practicality
In order to make sure your office fits your needs, you’ll need to answer a few more questions.
What do you do? Are you a therapist, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a life coach, a reiki practitioner, or a dietitian?
How many people are in your office at once? 1, 2, 3, 4 or more? Usually 1 but sometimes 4?
What do you use your office for? Are you solely sitting and talking with your clients or do you sometimes stand up and do physical movement? Do you need space for a treatment table to do energy work on? Or do you need a designated writing space for testing or art work?
Dependent on your answers, the needs for your office are going to look different. If you are solely sitting and talking with one client at a time, you can get away with a smaller office, a small desk, love seat and chair. But if you are doing work with 3+ people at a time or needing space for movement you are going to want to ensure that your office is large enough for this, or that your furnishings are lightweight enough to be easily moved to the sides of the room.
Comfortable
In order to fully answer the question of “is my office comfortable” you will need to be willing to see your office from another perspective and listen to your friends and family’s honest opinions. Okay so first, walk into your office as if you were the client. Sit where they would sit. Do what they would do. The difference in perspective allows you to step outside of your provider lens and see the space from your client’s point of view. Maybe you notice from the clients chair that you can’t see the clock, or that the pillow on the couch is very prickly. Pay close attention to all details and make tweaks from there.
Next, invite a few trusted coworkers, friends or family members into your office to give their honest opinion. The point of doing this is to get different sets of eyes on the space and various points of view on how it makes them feel. Though this is your office, it is not only for you. You want to make sure that it is welcoming to a wide variety of people in order to appeal to all your clientele.
Organization
Dependent on your natural state of organization, this area might come easier to some than others.
For those that are naturally inclined to organizational techniques (me) and thoroughly look forward to going to the The Container Store (literally the best place in the world). This will be a breeze for you and honestly might be your favorite part of designing your office.
But for those who aren’t naturally interested in label making, file folders and color-coded systems, don’t fret! You are not going to have to shift your entire way of doing things, but you do need to find out if you are naturally messy, disorganized, or cluttered (yes, there is a difference).
Messy = untidy or dirty
Disorganized = spaces that lack structure
Cluttered = too many things in a small area
In summary, if you are in the messy category, you are going to want to clean up a bit. If you are in the disorganized state, just don’t let it get out of control because once it does it’ll be hard to manage. If you are in the cluttered state, put some time aside to go through the items little by little and get rid of what you don’t need.
Think about how you would feel paying money (sometimes a lot) to a provider for a service, and then walking into their office and the trash is overflowing, there are stains on the carpet, and it smells unpleasant. No matter how good of a clinician you are, it is going to make your clients think “if he/she can’t even manage to take out the trash on a weekly basis, how is he/she going to be able to help me?”
What works for you and your business is what’s most important, so deep dive into your patterns and what category your office falls into and make adjustments in order to have your office depict who you are as a wellness provider.
Learn organizational tips here, here and here.
Color
Close your eyes and image you are walking into a bright yellow room with white furniture. How do those colors make you feel? Okay now do it again but imagine you are walking into a light blue room with wood toned furniture. How do those colors make you feel?
Were the feelings the same after each imagery? For most people they are not. Most describe initially feeling energized by the yellow but not wanting to stay in that room for long. With the light blue room, most describe feeling welcomed and comfortable. After doing some research on various color theories, I stumbled upon Angela Wright and her “Color Affects System”.
For the 4 primary colors she summarized that:
The color blue affects the mind and stimulates higher productivity.
The color green affects emotions and causes balance, calmness and reassurance.
The color yellow affects creativity levels and self-confidence.
The color red affects the body and causes a physical exertion response.
With the wide spectrum of hues available, it can get tricky knowing what the best options are for your space. Some things to take note of in regard to wall color is that it is not recommended to use intense colors in an office where emotions tend to run high and it is usually safest to go with a pale color on the walls for a calming or soothing overall vibe.
In regard to other décor within the space, it is recommended to use more than one color to create a color palette (one or two other colors to create balance within the space).
If you are still completely overwhelmed about the design of your office and not knowing what way to turn, you can always:
1. Ask a friend or family member to assist you in decorating or hire someone (Houzz may be able to assist in finding a professional)
2. Rent a furnished office from shared workspaces such as b.mindful Louisville
3. Share an office with a like-minded provider (check craigslist for postings or ask around your clinical community for availability)
Photos taken by Bryan Moberly
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
Who Rents From b.mindful Louisville?
We only rent to individuals that are licensed and certified mental health and wellness professionals. This creates a like-minded support network, as well as a safe, welcoming, and confidential environment for the clients seeking services. Specific features and amenities such as separate patient entrances and exits cater to your practice’s exact needs.
Collaborative style work spaces are popping up all over the city lately. You can now rent a desk monthly, share an office space or even just rent conference rooms by the hour. While all of these are great, flexible options to have if you work part-time, remotely or own a business, none of them cater to the specific needs of the mental health and wellness professionals. We understand the unique challenges that finding office space presents and that’s why we have created B.Mindful Louisville.
We only rent to individuals that are licensed and certified mental health and wellness professionals. This creates a like-minded support network, as well as a safe, welcoming, and confidential environment for the clients seeking services. Specific features and amenities such as separate patient entrances and exits cater to your practice’s exact needs.
Because we look to build a community as well, we made sure that our rental office space is just the right size. It allows you to bond with your office mates and build a community of similar individuals that can assist each other in becoming the best mental health and wellness professionals possible. We offer practice building materials and support for all tenants.
Mental Health & Wellness Professions We Rent To:
Professional Counselors
Social Workers
Marriage and Family Therapists
Addiction Counselors
Pastoral Counselors
Psychologists
Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
Meditation Specialists
Alternative Medicine Specialist
Life Coaches
Certified Reiki Practitioners
Wellness Coaches
Nutritionist and Dietitians
Career Specialist
Speech and Language Professionals
…other wellness professionals
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville.
I’m Shannon, 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.
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.
We’ve Been Featured On FreshPractice!
b.mindful Louisville has been featured on FreshPractice, a website offering therapy office design inspiration for therapists, by therapists.
Exciting news guys!
b.mindful Louisville has been featured on FreshPractice, a website offering therapy office design inspiration for therapists, by therapists. Below is an excerpt from the interview with business owner, Shannon Gonter:
“I designed them myself. I got inspiration from Pinterest and blogs. My own personal interior decorating style for my house is very similar to the offices and I learned a majority of those skills from my mother. I did get input though from friends and family before purchasing the large items.”
In the featured post, you’ll discover the ideas of many of the décor picks found in our “contemporary neutral” offices, advice for therapists designing their own spaces, and how b.mindful Louisville creates a comfortable counseling experience for tenants and their clients by providing them with complimentary drinks, a comfortable space to sit, and additional amenities to secure their confidentiality.
You can read more about our space by clicking this link and be sure to check out the rest of the office spaces featured on FreshPractice.Design!
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
I’m Shannon, 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.
How Do b.mindful Louisville Office Rentals Work?
Here at b.mindful Louisville, we offer two options for office rentals. You can rent per time block or rent an office for 24 hours. With both options, you will have access to your office during your designated time, and 24/7 access to all communal areas and amenities. We have structured this so you still make a profit after your first client and have set the prices to ensure affordability and accessibility for all clinicians.
Mental Health & Wellness Office Rental Information
Here at b.mindful Louisville, we offer three options for office rentals. You can rent per time block, rent an office for 24 hours or do our virtual office plan. With our in person tenant rentals, you will have access to your office during your designated time, and 24/7 access to all communal areas and amenities. We have structured this so you still make a profit after your first client and have set the prices to ensure affordability and accessibility for all clinicians. Learn about of virtual plans here.
Photography by Brian Moberly
For in person office rentals that are available for block rentals vary in size and prices range from $30-$35 a block. We have broken up the blocks into 6 hour windows (8:00am-2:00pm and 2:30pm-8:30pm) allowing you plenty of time to see a few clients and have some wiggle room in-between sessions.
The block rentals are great for those who have a small private practice, do not want to or don’t have the ability to do a 24-hour rental. Maybe you work full time Monday-Friday and don’t want to work weekends so to accommodate your private practice case load, you see individuals on Wednesday and Thursday evenings using the 2:30pm-8:30pm block. Or maybe you are just starting out in private practice and you don’t have any clients yet. Our block rentals are a great space to start out in order to immerse yourself in and network with a supportive, like-minded community.
The 24-hour rentals are great for those who work part time elsewhere and have a spare day to see clients, or maybe you just want more flexibility throughout the day when scheduling clients. These offices also vary in size, all having enough space for individual and couples’ therapy and some large enough to accommodate families and group treatment. These offices range from $50-$80 a day with discounts provided the more days you rent.
We have had several clinicians start their private practices in b.mindful Louisville and the flexibility of our leases has greatly cut startup costs for our tenants and allowed them to have full autonomy of how much time they want to spend in the office.
Photography by Brian Moberly
For example, one of our tenants used the 1st month to logistically set up and start marketing her practice before having any clients. She expressed it to be extremely helpful for her to have a space outside her house that she could go to clear her mind, knock out her to do list and have other clinicians around to bounce ideas off of. After a lot of time and effort put into the backend of her practice, she got her first few clients! After some more hard work, her case load out grew her 6 hour block rental so she decided to start a new lease and do a 24 hour rental to accommodate her growing practice.
Here at b.mindful Louisville, we understand that a majority of you in private practice are in it because you love being an entrepreneur, love the flexibility and the autonomy brought forward by working for yourself. Therefore, if the office space is available, we are always willing to start you a new lease in another office that better meets your growing practices needs.
Photography by Brian Moberly
Renting from b.mindful Louisville is so much more than just writing a monthly check to your office landlord. We are interested in creating a like-minded, safe environment for you and your clients while providing you with full service amenities and serving you to the best of our abilities.
We would love to show you the space and learn more about the wonderful services you are providing to our community. Feel free to browse our website and reach out to schedule a tour.
Not needing a full time office or an address for your practice - but want community? Check out our community membership option.
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
What Is Included In A b.mindful Louisville Rental?
Every time you rent your mental health and wellness office space from b.mindful Louisville you will have access to your office during your designated time, and 24/7 access to all communal areas and amenities. Some questions you might have. What are the communal areas? What amenities are included in the price of my rental? What will I find in the office I rent? Keep reading and I will answer all those questions!
For our tenant plan - with every b.mindful Louisville tenant rental you will have access to your office during your designated time, and 24/7 access to all communal areas and amenities.
Some questions you might have. What are the communal areas? What amenities are included in the price of my rental? What will I find in the office I rent? Keep reading and I will answer all those questions! Our Mental Health & Wellness Office Space in Louisville, KY Include…
On the more practical side, some of the amenities you will enjoy include:
— Your Professional Environment
Break area
Table
Chairs
Printer/scanner/fax
File cabinet
Additional storage for personal items
Mail station for incoming mail
Complimentary coffee/tea/water
Kitchenette
Community bulletin board to share local news and training’s
— Your Therapeutic Environment
Couch
Side table
Chair
Side table
Desk
Shelves
Bins for shelves
Chair
Pillows (3)
Throw blanket
Lamps
Coasters (3+)
Small fake plants (3)
Large fake plant (1)
Clock (2)
Sound machine
Wall décor
Tissues
Separate entrance and exit for your clients to ensure higher levels of confidentiality
Additional chairs for family/group work or trainings (12)
Treatment table that can be used for Reiki (1)
— Easy access and stress-free parking for you and your clients
Access to your office during your designated day and time slot and access to all other communal areas, amenities and resources 24/7
On-site parking and street parking
ADA accessible
— The Extras You Deserve
Personalized and dedicated URL to your practice
Online marketing on our social media and website
Secure storage for personal items
HIPAA compliant file storage
High speed wireless internet
Printer/scanner/fax
Office supplies
Clip board
Large note pad
Small note pad
Envelopes
Post it notes
Pens
Highlighters
Sharpies
Scissors
Tape
Stapler
Paper clips
White out
Weekly office cleaning services
— You’re a Healer and You Deserve to Be Acknowledged
Physical address for your business
Furnished space
Waiting area
Plenty of seating
Complimentary water for clients
Complimentary mints for clients
TV with calming music and revolving slideshow displaying tenants in the space, any upcoming groups and events that Louisville has going on.
— Practice building resources
Print
Books
Digital
From the baseline physical criteria needed to open a private practice, to the clinical must haves, and the items to do and figure out while growing you're practice. We’ve got the support and resources available for you to use to build and create a thriving practice.
— How We Enhance Your Professional Development
Collaboration and networking with other like-minded service providers
Bi-monthly socials at local Louisville establishments to build a sense of community between tenants outside of the clinical world
Clinical consultation group with other mental health professionals from the community
Not needing a consistent physical office? Check out our virtual office rentals.
Only wanting community and marketing assistance? Check out our community membership plan.
No need to take on the additional startup costs of furnishing your own space. Each of our offices was designed with mental health professionals’ specific needs in mind. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to enter your office each day feeling safe, confident and prepared to tackle what the world brings to you.
Have additional questions? Feel free to message me and ask!
Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville
We would love to show you the space and learn more about the wonderful services you are providing to our community. Feel free to browse our website and reach out to schedule a tour.
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.
Why A Quiet Office Space Is A Must For Social Workers In Private Practice
While interacting with people is a big part of a social worker’s job they still need some form of quiet space to complete their paperwork and make phone calls. What’s more, the area needs to be one where they can focus without any sort of distractions.
While interacting with people is a big part of a social worker’s job they still need some form of quiet space to complete their paperwork and make phone calls. The area needs to be one where they can focus without any sort of distractions.
Something that social workers tell us is that they need their own space where they cannot be distracted. This is to allow them to be able to get all their important paperwork done such as documents that need to be sent to the state government or insurance company. Believe it or not, but paperwork takes up a significant portion of a social worker’s workload. So when renting an office space, it is important to have a space that they can be left alone to do paperwork and be able to focus on their clients. Keep in mind, most social workers complete paperwork that is very important to peoples lives. So if they make a mistake, they could be facing a delay in services or support for the people they are working with. So a social worker needs to be able to concentrate and focus on what they are doing some say more than other professions. And the biggest distraction of all as reported by some is office noise.
Whenever we talk to social workers, it’s apparent that they need to focus on providing assistance and services to the people that they work with. The fact that clients build their assumptions about you based in-part on the office they meet you in is a sentiment we hear repeated over and over. And to accommodate this fact, they need an office that is warm and inviting. Why does it matter? Well, meeting clients who have been abused or have other mental and family issues, it’s extra important that the space they are meeting in is comforting and should be a place where people can feel safe. However, it’s important to remember that every office does not project the same type of feeling. When businesses like financial consultants or insurance companies are looking for a space, they may be looking for the standard office. They may expect a few offices and a table that is set up like a conference room. This setup is not ideal for social workers. Rather, their office needs to be inviting, even if it goes against what other businesses may be looking for.
If the office is noisy, this can cause colossal productivity problems. Even a small amount of noise can be disturbing. Auditory distractions can have a negative impact on anyone's productivity and quality work. Things like coworkers on the phone and even notifications from a cell phone can take attention away from the task at hand. So if a social worker is sharing an office, they each need to have their own separate working space. This way they do not distract each other with phone calls and noise. This may sound like a common-sense no-brainer piece of advice. However, we have heard lots of horror stories from social workers who have had to share workspace in an “open office” setup.
Studies have been conducted on focus, and it was found that the average worker has a concentration of 11 minutes due to interruptions. So if there is noise that is distracting, any focused work like paperwork can take even longer to complete. And social workers, some say more than most, need to make sure all of their documentation is accurate. And if they keep on getting distracted with distractions, it can have an impact on their client's lives and quality of work.
When a social worker is looking for a space to get some work done, it’s vitally important to have somewhere where they feel comfortable. This is in large part due to the mentally demanding type of work that they do. They need to have an office that is free of distractions so they can work in peace and focus on what their real goal is, helping people. b.mindful Louisville is specifically designed and set up for health and wellness 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!