With identity theft on the rise, every private practitioner in the United States of America needs their own Employer Identification Number (EIN).  It’s one of those things that most of us learn as an aside to doing the business of private practice. Instead of using your Social Security Number on your receipts, use your EIN.

It’s easy and free to apply for your EIN from the Internal Revenue Service.  Take time to submit your application today.

Tags: EIN, Employer Identification Number

I’ve just finished reading Scott G. Halford’s new book, Be a Shortcut:  The Secret Fast Track to Business Success.

"Path in the Woods" by ann j p

Here are the last 5 characteristics of being a shortcut that Scott details.

1. Shortcuts help others. They don’t bother to offer excuses and explanations for not helping.
2. Shortcuts are aware of their own triggers and emotional baggage and do not allow it to contaminate their relationships.
3. Shortcuts are assertive and don’t play games.  They address potential problems early on and do not get tripped up by bad feelings.
4. Shortcuts know that they don’t know everything.  However, they do know lots of different people so that shortcuts can get their jobs done.
5. Shortcuts are aware of the negative aspects of stress on their own performance and willingly use their networks for support and assistance.

So now I’m asking you . . . . Based on these 16 identifiers, how am I and All Things Private Practice measuring up as a shortcut for you and your business today?

Tags: Relationships, Shortcuts

As a new sole proprietor in the field of mental health, it can be easy to feel like a tiny little business surrounded by well-established (read “big dog”) clinics and group practices.

Today I was reading a post by Andrea Meyer, the CEO of Working Knowledge, who offers a few pointers on how to leverage your “little guy” position.  Check out her blog post,    How to Out-Compete a Larger Company, to see if there is a useful tip for you.

Tags: Stand Out

All health care providers who are covered entities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) are required to obtain and use a National Provider Identifier (NPI).  If your client files for reimbursement from her insurance company (or you file on her behalf), the insurance company will require that you provide your NPI.

If you are new to private practice, you can find out how to apply for your NPI at the National Plan & Provider Enumeration System.

Tags: HIPAA, National Provider ID, NPI

I’m still reading Be a Shortcut: The Secret Fast Track To Business Success by Scott G. Halford.  Here are five more identifying characteristics that I’ve found:

"Hobbity" by Rakka

1. Shortcuts are resourceful and often rely on their relationship assets.
2. Shortcuts collaborate and negotiate rather than compete.
3. Shortcuts know that their networks wither without time, attention and care.
4. Shortcuts seek out new challenges.
5. Shortcuts are involved in continuous learning and take responsibility for their own personal and professional growth.  They do not rely on external motivation to learn new information or to develop new skills.

I live in a state that, I’m embarrassed to say, doesn’t require continuing education for the licensed professionals in the health care fields.  Because of that, I’m particularly aware how this last one – taking responsibility for continuous learning – really does set you apart as a shortcut.

Those of us who take the initiative to continue our education on a consistent basis really are the ones that develop a reputation as having a depth of knowledge in our respective fields.  We really are the ones that become the shortcuts.

Have you found an area yet that you can work on to build your reputation as a shortcut?

Tags: Continuous Learning, Health Care, Network, Reputation, Shortcuts

How to network stategically . . . .

“ABC Popup Book” by medialoog / Karin Dirkx

How to get clients . . . .

How to find a really great supervisor . . . .

What ethical choice points to expect and what to do when they come up . . . .

Why working for a community agency is the smartest choice a new therapist can make . . . .

Why it is smart to NOT go into private practice right after graduate school . . . .

And, MY list of what I wish I had learned in graduate school goes on . . . and on . . . and on.

This is my invitation for you to share your thoughts about what you wish you had learned while you were still in school.

Tags: Red Thread

If you have access to the internet and have not made your way to a discussion list relevant to your profession, you are missing out on a great way to let people learn about you and your services.  These electronic mailing lists are typically subject specific and anyone who subscribes to them is allowed to post.  Your post is then emailed to everyone else on the list and they, in turn, may respond.

Discussion lists allow you to share information and news of interest among a large number of people with little effort.  (And, if you don’t find a discussion list to be useful to you, it’s easy to “unsubscribe” to them, too!) These are some of the ways that you may find them to be of use to you as you grow your private practice:

• Promote your latest project or offering.
• Gather resources.
• Seek opinions.
• Build a reputation for offering thoughtful feedback to others.
• Find colleagues with which to collaborate on future projects.
• Learn about new areas.
• Develop new interests / understanding.
• Connect with professionals in different parts of the country / world.
• Exchange ideas.

I use discussion lists (both personal and professional)

"Kids Surfing On-Line" by bebetoujours

on a weekly basis for all of the reasons listed above and want to encourage you to do the same.  On the lists that I belong to, I have gotten referrals for clients from therapists states away; I’ve sent and received volumes of resources on everything ranging from trauma and eating disorders to book lists and vacation tips; I’ve also learned about great continuing education opportunities and built name recognition for my practice at the same time!

Here are several of the professional discussion lists that I belong to:

• POWR-L is a discussion list focused on the psychology of women.  This list, hosted by the Association for Women in Psychology, is a dynamic and resource-focused list .  Membership in AWP is not required in order to join the discussion list.

• Counselors at Yahoo is open to behavioral heath professionals and students. Another dynamic and active forum that is very friendly to students and new professionals.

• Warren Corsen III’s Counseling Resources is open to clinical professionals, students, and educators in counseling and related fields.  Another student-friendly list emphasizing graduate and doctoral students.

• Boulder Psychotherapy Institute’s Networking List is primarily focused on resources / continuing education / networking opportunities within the State of Colorado for mental health professionals.

• Dramatherapy List is for individuals interested in drama therapy.  Although it is hosted by the National Association for Drama Therapy, membership in NADT is not required for joining this listserv.

If you decide to join an on line discussion group, you should know that every list has its own culture and most lists have a set of rules to abide by.  As with any other group that you choose to join, it is advisable to know the guidelines and expectations from the beginning.  Sign up and sit back for a few weeks just to audit the group and get a feel for the on line culture.  Once you are ready and have a burning question or thoughtful comment to offer, you are ready to jump right in!

Do you know of other professional discussion lists that may be of interest to mental health professionals?  If so, I hope you will share them with us here.  If enough of you respond, I will be happy to compile the list and re-post into one massive list for easy access!

Tags: Discussion List, Dramatherapy List, POWR-L, Social Media, Warren Corsen III's Counseling Resources

I’ve been reading this great little book by Scott G. Halford called Be a Shortcut: The Secret Fast Track to Business Success. I haven’t finished reading it yet but here are six nuggets that I’m already taking away:

"Still Not a Good Short Cut" by Ann E.

1. Shortcuts practice self care so that they can, in turn, take care of others.
2. Shortcuts provide added benefits; they go the extra mile.
3. Shortcuts do not engage in passive aggressive “pay backs.” Neither do they hesitate to have / initiate difficult conversations.
4. Shortcuts are problem solvers for other people.
5. Shortcuts are seen as go-to resources for others.
6. Shortcuts are known, in part, for their expertise and added value.

So far, how are you measuring up? Do your referral sources, colleagues and clients see you as a shortcut?

Tags: Relationships

Those who know better don’t always choose to do better.  Check out this press release from the U.S. Department of Justice for a clear reminder of the need for therapists to know what they are doing before they make the choice to file insurance for their clients.

Although I strongly recommend that you consider establishing / transitioning your practice to fee-for-service clientele, it is critical that therapists and other  health care professionals have a basic understanding of working cooperatively with insurance companies and Employee Assistance Programs.

If you have questions about these, drop me a line and let me know.  I’ll do my best to answer them!

Tags: Fraud, Insurance

Whether you’ve been in business for decades or you are only now starting, tracking statistics on your clients can give you invaluable information about your business cycle.

In my practice, I only track referral sources, monthly income and total hours that I see clients.  It’s not important to me what race, gender, or age is coming in my doors.  What matters is knowing who refers to me, how my income compares to last year’s income, and how many client hours I am averaging.

"Listenting to History" bronze by Bill Woodrow, photo by Cliff1066

• What to Track. Don’t get overwhelmed by tracking too much information.  Consider what is important to you and your business plan.  You may be much more interested in tracking the zip codes that your clients live in or the income brackets that your clients fall into, or your clients’ presenting issues. Whatever it is that is important to you, make a commitment to track it starting now.

• When & How to Track. The when and how of tracking client stats is contingent upon what you are tracking.  For example, if you are tracking basic demographis of race, home zip code, or age, you can probably pull that information directly from your initial paperwork that you client completes.  On the other hand, if you are tracking monthly income or hours spent seeing clients, you will need to track that information on an ongoing basis.  I choose to tally and record those statistics each month.

• Benefits of Tracking Client Stats. Tracking for the sake of tracking is pointless.  However, for me, tracking monthly income and client hours allows me to compare the same month’s productivity in previous years (and project into the future).  That’s been really helpful to me.  When my practice dips a bit in income or hours I am able to see how it compares to last year and the year before during that same time period.

• Learning Your Business Cycle. What I’ve come to realize is that although each private practice (and each profession) is different, my feast and famine months are generally the same from year to year.  By tracking that information, I have learned that I don’t need to panic.  Old and new clients continue to come in but some months are predictably busier than others.

Take the time to learn your business cycle so that you, too, can relax into the ebb and flow of private practice.  It’s a learned skill, I know.  But by putting systems in place – like tracking your client statistics — you can learn how to read and respond to the rhythm of your business and set more realistic goals.

Tags: Business Cycle, Business Plan, Statistics

As health care costs continue to escalate,

"Modern Medicine of the Past" by Michael Flick

we all pay the price.  Here are two online sources to help you and your clients find affordable health care.

Ken Pope’s resource page for Finding Health Insurance & Affordable Medications

and Mental Health America’s Factsheet: How Can I Get Help Paying For My Prescriptions

If you have additional tips or know of other resources to access affordable medications, health care, and health insurance, please take a moment to share your information and ideas with us!

[Update: Click here to see More Resources for Affordable Medications]

Tags: Insurance, Medication

Since it’s almost Independence Day, today seems like a really good day to share with you my favorite secret weapon for getting unstuck with my marketing.  It’s calendars!  Yes, I said calendars. . . and here’s the reason why. . . .

I collect special days, holidays, civic and religious days of observance, days that others (like the greeting card industry) have created and I place all of these on a single marketing calendar or list of days.  When I find my marketing is becoming a bit predictable or stale, I pull out my marketing calendar and get a jumpstart!

Dog Days of Summer

"Dog Days of Summer" by Flyway Photo

For example, how could you use the Dog Days of Summer? I’m thinking I could hold an open house for my business with Dog Days as the theme . . . or I could take ice cream to my best referral sources in the community. . . or I could send out a newsletter with tips for coping during the Dog Days of Summer.

National Therapeutic Recreation Week

Here’s another example. July 12-19, 2009 is National Therapeutic Recreation Week.  If you are interested in building reciprocal referring relationships with recreational therapists, this is the perfect week to reach out to them!  You might want to make a few cold calls to their places of employment — nursing homes, hospitals, mental health treatment centers, day treatment programs, etc.  This is the ideal time to take them to lunch, send them informational materials about your practice, or recognize them in the community via letters to the editor, awards, etc.

Sneak Some Zucchini on Your Neighbor’s Porch Day

"Family of Zucchini" by Ellie Van Houtte

And, here’s a third example.  August 8th is Sneak Some Zucchini on Your Neighbor’s Porch Day.  No, I’m not kidding!  (But it did make me snicker a little.)  So, what can you do with a day like this?  Think about it!  You could drop off a basket of zucchini (with marketing info)  to your local food bank as a community service; you could take a handful of zucchini to your next door business neighbors; you could leave a big basket of zucchini in your lobby with a note for clients to “help themselves”; or you could write a guest column in your local newspaper underscoring the needs of families during this difficult economic time (and, in the process, encourage your community to share their zucchini or whatever else they might have with others).

What an inexpensive way to let people know that you are . . . a little bit different . . . that you think in a different way . . . .  And, what an inexpensive way to be remembered!

Calendars to Get You Started

Here’s a few calendars to help you get started on your own marketing calendar:

• Gone-ta-Pott Holiday Directory
• Today in History
• Earth Calendar

Let me know how you end up using calendars in your practice to energize your marketing and if you found this post helpful!

Tags: Calendar

July is Maestro Month!

"Moonmad" by Max Ernst, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, DC

You can choose up to 3 FREE personal development trainings from a roster of 60+ experts in personal and professional development during the month of July.  Presenters include Deepak Chopra, Jack Canfield, Marianne Williamson, Michael Port, John Assaraf, and more! (more…)