The Solution:

The Private Practice BootCamp

I have been in private practice for 15 years and have learned what makes for a successful private practice. In the past three years I have had the opportunity to train hundreds of therapists, most of them in private practice. Many of them are very successful…many are not. I have listened carefully to understand the successful therapist, and have merged it with my own experience, to develop a training program to increase your reach…and number of clients.

Session 1 – Developing Your Name in Your Community – We will go beyond the “elevator pitch” and work on ways you can increase you name recognition without feeling “salesy.” We will be using new concepts such as “the stickiness factor,” and tipping point ideas to expand your reach. I will work with you on understanding the decisions about how to form a company, and whether you should hire an assistant. Should you get on insurance panels? If you are on them, when should you leave them? I will share a simple way to decide the right answers to these questions. By then end of session 1, you will have become skilled in the subtle techniques of introduction, you will have a list of topics and a simple presentation structure, and will have developed a list of those people who need to know about the great work you do. You will also have the opportunity to get a free professional portrait during the training.

Session 2 – Using the Internet and Social Networking – there has been a major shift in how people look for mental health services. They are more likely to go to google instead of their doctor, teacher, or friend. Being visible online, and doing it effectively, is a huge factor in growing your reach. During Session 2, we will work on websites (DIY vs. professional), search engine optimization (SEO), blogging, linking, and other important issues. We will work on how to use social networking, including facebook and LinkedIn. You will leave session 2 with a to-do list, based on your present online presence, to increase your visibility online.

Session 3 – Let People Know You, Large Style- I know that public speaking instills fear in most of us. I was a severe stutterer as a child, so I know how hard this can be. I have developed a style and technique of presenting that I think can work well for many professionals, regardless of your skill and comfort level. We will work on your person style and these How to pick a topic; The 4 stage repeating cycle; how to tell personal stories; the hook; and the call to action. We will work on developing a series of “talks” and will focus on how to get opportunities to connect with referral sources.