Dr. Keely Kolmes of San Francisco continues  to be a valuable resource for therapists engaging in social media.  Check out her blog post dated August 5th in which she exposes the privacy concerns  caused by Psychology Today’s newly implemented call tracking.

I just changed the setting on my own listing to decline call tracking and, I’m encouraging you to do the same.

[Thanks, Keely, for continuing to keep us informed on these matters!]

Tags: Privacy, Social Media, Telephone

If you are a mental health professional (or an allied health professiona) with an online presence, then you know how critical it is that you control your online identity.  It’s not a matter of simply slapping up a website or blog.  You need to stay on top of how you name is being used and who else might be using it.

Sree Sreenivasan has written an informative post at DNAinfo entitled Identity in the Age of Facebook.  In her post, she identifies at least four things you need to do to maximize your control over your online identity.  Take a look and let me know what you did with the suggestions she provided.

Tags: Professional Image, Security

David from Longmont, Colorado wrote  . . .

Tamara, I attended your workshop at the Colorado Counseling Association’s Spring Workshop, The In’s and Out’s of Private Practice. Thanks so much for being so generous with your information!  I remember you encouraging graduate students to go ahead and get business cards.  I am a graduate student and don’t really know what I need to put on my business card before I graduate next year.  Can you help me out?”

Hi, David!  Thanks for attending our workshop.  I really enjoyed working with you guys!  Here’s a link to an earlier post on business cards.  For a graduate student, I would suggest that you include:

• Your legal name;
• All forms of contact information that you are comfortable sharing;
• A statement indicating the graduate program that you are attending – something like “Masters student, University of North Texas, graduating 2012″; and,
• You might also want to include 1-3 areas of special interest.

Once you get your business cards, pass them out liberally. They are your least expensive form of advertising and will help your colleagues and professors remember you years later.

Tags: Business Card, Work with Tamara

Do you know David P. Diana ?  He is my e-friend and colleague  down in South Carolina but you may know him as a Licensed Professional Counselor, marketing consultant and coach, or just a best selling author. Twice each year, David posts his list of mental health professionals who are doing things in a different sort of way.  He calls his list the  “NOT Most People” List and I am so humbled and thrilled that he has just added me to the list!

Yes, if I was the only one highlighted, I would still be directing you to the “New NOT Most People List.”  (That’s one of the benefits of blogging – I can toot my own horn!)  But beyond your curiosity, you really need to check out David’s website. It’s chocked full of pithy conversations and useful resources.  And, you really need to check out the other names on the “NOT Most People” List.  They are inspiring!

David P. Diana!  Thank you for the honor!  You’ve placed me in the company of really interesting and creative people! I am touched by your generosity and willingness to reach out to strangers around the world to help us build stronger relationships with one another!

Tags: Awards / Honors

If you are considering attending the 6th Annual Series of Private Practice from the Inside Out, here’s a link to my references and bragging rights!

Tags: Private Practice from the Inside Out Annual Series, Work with Tamara

Nothing puts potential clients and referral sources at ease as quickly as hearing from your colleagues and past clients  that you have been helpful to them.  That’s why it’s important to collect testamonials and to use them liberally. Here are some ways that I have effectively integrated testamonials into my marketing marketing efforts . . . .

• I always offer to provide references to those considering attending my Annual Series of Private Practice from the Inside Out.  It’s a great way to show that my intentions are good i.e. I’m providing what I say I will provide.  It’s also a good way to let past participants brag on their own  successes and tell others what a terrific investment it was for their practices.
• I pepper my handouts and fliers with testamonials.
• I have used testamonials as the basis for an advertisement.
• I have used written testamonials on each page of my counseling website.  (I have also seen other professionals actually use YouTube-type videos of testamonials.)
• I also look for opportunities to include testamonials when I am writing proposals to present or teach at different institutions and organizations.  I may insert these into my cover letter or include a separate sheet with stats and comments gathered from previous presentations.

I’m sure that there are other effective ways to use the testamonials that you gather.  If you think of them, I hope you will leave them below.

Tags: Fliers, Testimonial, Website

Unlike many professionals, those in mental health cannot ethically ask therapy clients / ex-clients for testamonials.  Nor can you use your client’s written expressions of gratitude without their permission.  However, there are other ways to ethically gather testamonials about your quality of work and your clients’ satisfaction.

Remember that you cannot ask your therapy clients for a testamonial. And, you cannot use your client’s actual words without their permission.

• Always gather feedback when you present to your peers in educational setting – then paraphrase their comments;
• Gather cheers (and jeers) when you offer psycho-educational workshops;
• Collect clippings from the media (including print, video, and online sources) that include impressions of your work;
• Consider asking for letters of reference from practice allies who know the caliber of your work;
• If you have a web presence, and these days every private practitioner needs one, ask referral sources to write a brief statement for your website highlighting one of your strengths.

Check back in on Thursday and I’ll give you some ideas about how to use the comments that you collect.

Tags: Media, Testimonial, Website, Workshop

Are you a psychotherapist who uses Facebook and Twitter?  Do you blog or engage in other forms of social media?  If so, you need to consider the sticky situations that you may stumble into without any ill intent.  Here is one article by Dana Scarton in the Washington Post that highlights examples of what I’m talking about.

I’ve begun to look for mental health attorneys to join us here on occasion at Private Practice from the Inside Out to help us tackle some of these choice points in private practice.

Let me know if you think this would be helpful to you and if you have a favorite mental health attorney to recommend.

Tags: Boundaries, Ethics, Social Media

This is the 4th  post in the series
Reduced Fees, Sliding Scales, and Lessons Learned.
The series actually begins here.

How Does Your Reduced Fee Reflect on Your Overall Reputation?

Are you thinking about advertising the fact that you offer a sliding scale fee?  I strongly discourage mental health professionals from doing this and here’s the reason why . . . .

Once referral sources discover that you routinely provide services for a reduced fee, that is the idea that becomes attached to your name i.e. you provide the cheap stuff.

That’s NOT what you want to be known for even if you run a non-profit and routinely charge less than the Usual and Customary Fee for your services.

Your reputation should be based on the services that you provide and what differentiates you from your peers . . . not on having the lowest rates in town.

Tags: Fee, Reputation

Earlier this month, I was asked to speak to a group of new professionals interning at Aurora Mental Health Center.  The topic was on why it’s important to join your state and national professional associations.  Just in case you are hesitating, here are 23 reasons that I believe you should join your professional associations today.

1. This is your number one career development tool.
2. This is how mental health professionals get things done.
3. Often there are special resources available to you.
4. This is where you go to learn how to be a professional.
5. This is how you stay informed about your profession’s standards of practice.
6. This is where you learn about professional trends and mandated changes in practice.
7. This is where you can build relationships and expand your network.
8. This is where you get continuing education at affordable prices via conferences, workshops, and forums.
9. Often those continuing education opportunities include a free breakfast, lunch or dinner.
10. This is how you protect and promote your own profession.
11. This is where you increase others awareness of your practice or your employer’s visibility in the community.
12. Student memberships are often reduced or no fee.
13. There are always opportunities here to give back to / build up your profession by your volunteer efforts within the organization.
14. There are often opportunities for community service.
15. This is where you go to stretch your own thinking and stay creative in your work.
16. This is where you learn what others in your profession are doing.
17. This is where you can easily establish yourself as a leader.
18. This organization may choose to sponsor your work, research, or workshop.
19. Many organizations offer members free listings and links on their websites.
20. This is who negotiates for the best and most affordable liability insurance.
21. This is where you get free advice on ethics issues.
22. Many organizations offer job placement services.
23. This will allow you to know other professionals to consult with and refer to (and vice versa) as your needs dictate.

I’m sure there are more benefits / reasons to join.  Can you tell me why you’ve joined your professional associations?

Tags: Ethics, Relationships, Workshop

Are you one of those mental health professionals who is constantly coming up with great ideas for therapeutic products but has no idea how to get them developed?  If so, you may want to check out Courage To Change. This online and print catalogue is interested in your ideas for books, workbooks, and games  that address dealing with life challenges at any age.

If you have prior experience with this company or if you decide to pitch an idea to this company, I hope you’ll drop back in and let us know about your experience!

Tags: Pitch Your Idea, Products

If you market your services via the internet, television, radio, in print or face to face . . . even if you volunteer to man a booth for your community expo . . . you are engaging in direct marketing.  Ken McArthur has just posted new guidelines for direct marketing in the United States.  Tempted to put your head in the sand and ignore the guidelines?  Really??

"Apple Planet" by Jorge Elias

Here are some snippets from Ken’s post:

• Terms like “Free,” “Free Trial,” and “Risk Free” are to be avoided.
• So are potentially misleading offers.
• Don’t offer ‘false sense of urgency’ i.e. “Last Week to Purchase at This Price!” if the offer will continue.
• Endorsements must be honest and accurate depictions of likely use of your services / products.
• Affiliate marketing programs must make concerted effort to track participating marketers and minimize fraud.
• Opt-out procedures need to be written in 12 point font or larger.
• Pre-checked boxes are no longer allowed.
• Billing cycles are regulated.

Other issues addressed include Refund Policies, Up-Selling, Actual Descriptor of Merchants, Fulfillment of Transactions, and Requirements for Customer Service. Check out Ken’s full article, New Credit Card Merchant Account Guidelines for Direct Marketing.

With so much sleaze involved in marketing and online sales, I see this as a giant step in the right direction. What’s you opinion?

Tags: Best Practices, Direct Marketing

When you get ready to close your private practice, for whatever reason, you can’t just shut the door and walk away. Did you know that?  Attorney Richard S. Leslie has written a thoughtful article in the January 2010 issue of the Avoiding Liability Bulletin.  In it he details some of the following for your consideration when you decide to close up shop:

• Ask yourself who needs to be notified – clients, former clients, insurance panels, landlords, supervisees, colleagues and business associates, referral sources, and your licensing boards;
  

  "You Couldn't Have Planned This if You Tried" by Ken Douglas / Today is a Good Day

• Consider the possible circumstances that might result in you closing your door – retirement, geographical relocation, health emergencies, financial circumstances, your own death, your spouse’ or partner’s death,and other unforeseen circumstances;
• Your state may dictate certain actions that you must take when you close your practice;
• Your professional code of ethics and HIPPA will certainly have standards that you must adhere to when closing your practice;
• How to notify existing clients;
• Subsequent maintenance, storage, and access to records;
• How to provide public notice of the closing;
• When and how to notify former clients;
• Why you may not want to terminate liability insurance policies when you close your practice;
• And, in the event of your death or incapacity to handle these things, who does it for you?

Every mental health professional and every professional coach is required to responsibly close their private practice  – regardless of whether their closing is planned or unforeseen.  Whether you’ve been in business for years or you are just now getting started, now is the time to take the steps necessary to prepare for the eventual closure of your practice.

Tags: Closing Your Practice, Ethics, HIPAA, Records & Documentation, Relocation, The Unexpected

I just discovered a free source for professional development (no CEU’s) at

"Podcast Subscribe" by Derrickkwa

CounselorAudioSource.net .  This website offers free weekly podcasts on topics primarily of clinical interest to counselors.

Additionally, if you would like to expand your resume to include your own podcasts on topics relevant to counselors, you can check out their guidelines and suggestions for contributing here.

Do you know of other free resources for the professional development of counselors and allied health professionals?  If so, please let us know!

Tags: Free, Podcast, Resume

Teaching is a great way to establish yourself as an expert . . . so what do you know?

"Teacher" by Ben Russell / ben110

What body of information or skill set comes naturally to you?  What is so common sensical that you marvel that others don’t know it?  That’s what you need to be teaching! Teach clients; teach children; teach physicians; teach teens; teach teachers; teach therapists; just teach.

If you are reading this blog, my assumption is that you are a mental health professional with a minimum of a master’s degree.  Don’t tell me, and more importantly, don’t tell yourself that you don’t know enough to teach.  You have more formal education than 98% of the population in the United States so you know something and I choose to believe you know something of value.

So what is it you know right now that you can teach?  And, more importantly, why aren’t you teaching it?  What do you need in order to leverage that natural skill set or body of knowledge to boost your image and name recognition?

What keeps you from inviting more clients into your practice?

Tags: Name Recognition, Teach