Writing and publishing can help you establish credibility, build your professional reputation, and position you as one who makes lasting contributions to your profession.  All of these can, in turn, contribute to your success  in private practice.

Whether you are still in graduate school or you are already hard at work out in the professional world, if you are in need of online tools to help you format your works in APA style, here are some resources for you:

• APA Style
• Purdue Online Writing Lab
• Ohio State University APA Citation Guide
• University of Minnesota Library’s Quick Study on Citing Resources Using APA Style

If you have other online resources related to APA formatting, I hope you will share them below!

Tags: APA Format, Documentation, Website

There is a lot that goes into creating a website for your private practice.  Even if you don’t want to spend the money right now, you need to think ahead of time about the many components that go into the development of your website.  Here is a starter list of things to consider.

1. Static (HTML) or blog platform [I never recommend HTML.  Check out the link to Blogging with Beth in the sidebar for more info about blogs.]
2. If you have a static site, do you also want to include a blog? [Definitely]
3. Customized or template?
4. What content to do you want include? And, how are you going to update and manage that content?
5. Who is going to write the content for your sight – you or someone else? [Kathryn Bass is a really gifted copywriter if you want someone to write it for you.  And, if you are looking for someone to help you write it yourself, hire me! I'll be glad to help!]
6. Spend some time surfing on other websites.  Collect the URLs of the ones that you like (as well as the ones you hate).  [Your web designer will love your for this.]
7. Look and feel – gather samples of art / color palettes that you like – either hard copy or on line.  [If you want more options of color palettes, check out COLOURLovers.]
8. Navigation of content -  How someone gets around your site matters.  Ask your web designer to make it simple and logical.
9. Your professional biography
10. A professional photo
11. The services you provide
12. Client testimonials / statistics
13. FAQs page
14. Links you want to include
15. Resources you want to include
16. Forms for your clients or the general public
17. Access for the disabled
18. A search feature on your site
19. How are you going to handle changes / maintenance for your site?  Who is going to do the actual work?
20. Cost – development, hosting, maintenance, auto-responder, URL
21. Security for your website

OK, gang, have I missed anything?  If so, I hope you’ll take a moment to list it below!

Tags: Security, Website

Colette Binger of Ridott, Illinois is expanding her practice to include consulting.  She wrote in asking what should be included in her consulting contracts.

Here are the categories that I consider when I offer contractual services:

• Services to be provided including specifications / proposal, if applicable;
• Reports and presentations to be included;
• Where services will take place i.e. on client’s premises or on consultant’s premises;
• Any other special arrangements;
• Beginning date;
• Target completion date;
• Fees specified per hour / day / other – consider including maximum number of individuals to be worked with;
• Total estimated fee / cost;
• Other costs (specify what for);
• Amount of advance retainer amount;
• Specify terms for balance to be paid;
• Notes, remarks, and special provisions, if any;
• A place for consultant to sign and date; and,
• A place for client to sign and date.

After you develop your consulting contract, be sure you take your contract to an attorney for review.  (I didn’t do this and unknowingly signed a non-compete clause that was perfectly enforceable – and not in my best interest – in the state of Colorado.)

Never sign a contract that has not been reviewed by an attorney in the state where your services will be provided.

Related articles by Zemanta

• How to Handle Non-Compete Clauses (freelanceswitch.com)

Tags: Consultation, Contract, Non-Compete Clauses

If you have published a book and are struggling to get your work noticed, you might want to check out this post in the Nieman Journalism Lab by Megan Garber on microdistribution.

Tags: Microdistribution

You may not know that I also host a second blog for my clinical practice.  Last week, I was writing a post for it, titled How to Empty the Garbage (in Your Head).  As I was sitting down today to write, I realized that this post is equally relevant to psychotherapists in private practice.  Sometimes it’s just the garbage in our heads that prevents us from having the practice of our dreams.

If the garbage in your head is what keeps getting in your way, take a moment to check out my other blog to learn a very specific method to extricate that nasty self talk from your path to a bright and successful business future!

Tags: Habits, Self Talk, Social Media

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

I’m not a big fan of resolutions . . . at least not the ones made for the new year.  My thinking is that if you’re serious about making a change or making a commitment, you’ll make it when it is needed . . . not on December 31st. And, you won’t need some day on the calendar to remind you that it’s important.

However, in my opinion, your business will benefit from an annual review.  So, after waiting a week or two to let you resolution-friendly folks have your say, I’m here with a quick review of my accomplishments in 2009 . . . .

1. Boosted my web presence with my counseling website
2. Because I track my client numbers I know that after a painfully slow start to 20009 (and with a nod to the economic crisis), the last 6 months of 2009 have resulted in my counseling practice seeing a 100% increase in clients
3. The 5th Annual Series of Private Practice from the Inside Out is almost halfway complete
4. Got this blogsite up and running
5. Maintained a schedule of actually blogging — something that I was afraid I might commit to and then fail to follow through
6. Qualified for Colorado Volunteer Mobilizer for Medical and Public Health Professionals
7. Completed 27.5 hours of continuing education
8. Solidified my branding for Private Practice from the Inside Out
9. Began attending a monthly consultation group
10. Significantly expanded my contact list
11. Increased social networking efforts
12. Read business-building blogs on a regular basis
13. Read at least 6 books related to building my business
14. Initiated discussions for several new projects
15. Created 2 new business cards and promotional materials for both sides of my business
16. Updated my resume
17. Proposal was accepted to teach Lessons from the Margins:  Exploring Difference through the Lens of Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed at 2010 Teacher Institute at Western State College (in Gunnison, CO)
18. Was asked (and agreed) to present Business Planning for Your Private Practice at 2010 Colorado Counseling Association’s Spring Workshop

If you haven’t taken time to review your accomplishments in 2009, take time to do that right now.  What is it you have you done for your business in the last 12 months?

Tags: Calendar, December, PPIO Annual Series, Resolutions

The purpose of a professional disclosure statement is to inform clients about your professional background and the limitations of your professional relationship.  It is sometimes referred to as a document of informed consent.

It is important to note that the state you practice in may dictate what must be included in your statement of disclosure.

The following items are often included:

• Contact info
• Your qualifications including training, experience, licensure, and certifications
• Professional associations that you belong to
• Services offered
• Your theoretical foundation and counseling approach
• Fee structure including broken appointments and cancellation policy
• Whether or not you will file insurance / provide documentation for your client to file insurance
• How you handle emergencies and client needs after business hours
• Confidentiality and exceptions to confidentiality
• Client rights and responsibilities
• The professional code(s) of ethics that you adhere to
• How to file a complaint against you

Your professional disclosure statement is a living document.  By that I mean that it will grow and change as your experience, training, and practice changes.  It’s a good idea to review (and amend as needed) your disclosure statement at least annually.

When writing your disclosure statement, you may find it helpful to gather samples of other professionals statements.  You will find a copy of my disclosure statement here at my counseling website.

Tags: Disclosure Statement, Ethics, Informed Consent, Professional Association

I was reading this post by Jennifer Gandin Le

Making Notes on GTD" by Stompy / Abizer

in the blog, Crucial Minutiae.  In it she references Natalie Goldberg’s concept of a “Practice Notebook.”  According to Le, Goldberg suggests using a notebook to establish a habit of self-monitoring your writing practices.  I love this idea . . . and not just for writing!

Your habits of private practice need monitoring, too! Borrowing from Goldberg’s suggestion, one way to do this would be to designate a practice notebook.  In it, you should record the date every single day, whether or not you have worked on your practice, and any related thoughts you may have .

Remember . . . working on your business is not the same as working in your business.  Your practice notebook should contain your notes and thoughts about working on the business.

Go ahead!  Give it a try for 30 straight days and let me know what changes for you!

Tags: Habit, Practice Notebook

If you are a health blogger i.e. a therapist who blogs,  then you need to check out Julie Cohen’s thoughtful post on her blog, Links for Shrinks.

And, when you leave here, make sure you leave info about your own health blog with a link so that we can pass your good work along!

Tags: Social Media

For those of you who have a penchant for writing,

"And, Even If I Leave You Here" by Martha Smith

this can be an excellent way to boost your visibility and name recognition while supplementing your income.

Certified Life Coach and writer, Dr. Lani Marconi, has posted a great little  “how-to” guide based on her experience in self-publishing.  The article is titled, How to Write a Book and Publish It for Under $1000.

If you have additional tips to share about self-publishing, I would love to have you leave them here!

Tags: Book, Name Recognition, Self-Publishing

When you decide to seek clinical consultation, there are 5 things that you should document in your clinical notes.  They are the 5 W’s:

• When you seek consultation;
• Why you are seeking consultation and why now;
• Who you are seeking consultation from;
• What opinions / information / recommendations you are receiving from that person even if they contradict your own clinical judgment;
• What your final professional opinion / plan is and why you are / are not going to go along with the recommendations received.
  

  "Questions" by Tim O'Brien / Oberazzi

In other words, your clinical rationale all along the way needs to be documented in your notes.  Why?  To protect both you and your client.

Should you end up in a malpractice suit (which is quite possible), your proper documentation will assist you in explaining your thought process concerning your work with your client.  Likewise, should anything happen to suddenly prevent you from continuing to work with your client, your general direction of treatment can more likely continue seemlessly because you have taken the time to thoroughly document your clinical rationale and intent.

Tags: Documentation

You’ve heard how big a fan I am of online discussion lists for networking.  However, ever so often I am reminded of the more frustrating side of a list . . . .

Here’s what not to do online. This week on one of the mental health professionals’ lists (I subscribe to many), two members started lecturing each other about X all under the auspices on “sharing,” “clarifying,” and “informing.”  They included a little name calling and a lot of posturing about who was wiser and who was more experienced and who was more knowledgeable.  (And, they used their actual names!)  It might as well have been an exchange similar to this one that Peter Shankman posted here.

To embarass or not to embarass . . . . I considered (briefly) asking the authors for permission to share screen shots of their words with you here but decided not to.  After all, I am embarrassed for both of them.  I hope their colleagues, employers, and referral sources aren’t reading that thread!

Good intentions. Of course, others joined in to take sides, to broaden perspectives, or in an attempt to find common ground.  Some actually unsubscribed from the list citing their reasons (both on / off list) as “too much junk email.”  And, I suspect that many, like me, have just sat back watching the lack of civility and lack of professional communication escalate and then die back down on its own. WHEW!

A few things to consider . . . . If you are new to social media or simply need a few reminders about how to proceed when someone presents ideas that are not in sync with your own, here’s a few to get you started:

"Wall of Peace - Moscow" by Jeff Bauche

• You are not anonymous – especially if you have signed your name!
• Don’t take it personally.  We all have goofy or mistaken ideas on occasion.
• Online communication is limited.  Humor and sarcasm don’t translate well.  Words get twisted or completely omitted.  Tone and intensity are often missing or misunderstood.  And, unfortunately, we tend to not proofread every post before we hit send.
• Take a breath and resist the urge to dash off a knee-jerk, emotional response.  Just B-R-E-A-T-H-E.
• If you do decide to reply, consider the options available.  Is there really a need to respond to the entire discussion list?  Do you have a private email address, phone number, etc.?
• The only time you MUST reply to the entire group is if you’ve messed up (and need to clean up) in public.
• If you are going to write back, find something to agree with.  Can’t find anything?  Then, you aren’t in the frame of mind to professionally respond yet.  (Think about it.  Clients come in every day with values, beliefs, and behaviors that you don’t agree with.  And, yet, you find a way to join with them.  This is the very same skill.)
• After you compose your message and before you hit “Send,” take time to re-read it.  Is there a better way to get your message across.  What’s your goal in sending it?
• Be generous in your response.  Give your reader the benefit of the doubt. . . .  Perhaps they were in a bad mood.  Or maybe they aren’t as experienced as you are . . . . We all have something left to learn.
• Be kind.  If you feel that someone is lacking some information and doesn’t know it, is there a way to pass the info along without making someone feel like an idiot or look like a fool?
• Consider your real motives in responding.  What triggered your reaction?  And, again, what was your goal in sending it?

OK, so maybe you aren’t like me and out to change the world.  Maybe hurt feelings and civility aren’t really of concern to you at all.  What I know is that this is still important to you and here’s the reason why . . . .  Your employer, your referral sources, your colleagues and even your clients have access to your words once you put them out into cyberspace.

As you are building your private practice, remember that any time you are in public – either physically or via technology – you need to have your professional hat on and that includes using professional communication.  Your professional image is on the line.

What else needs to be considered when you run into conflict online?

Tags: Conflict, Discussion List, Online Etiquette, Reputation, Social Media, Trigger

"The Tools of Artist, Leo D’Lázaro in Havana, Cuba" by Ontario Wanderer / Dean Gugler

For those of you who are blogging to build your businesses, check out Gina Trapani’s great list of 10 Tools to Make Your Blog Smarter, Faster, Better.  She posted it here at Fast Company.

And, by all means, introduce yourself and leave us a link to your blog!

Tags: Social Media

Have you given any thought to your cancellation policy?  If not, you should. Cancellation policies provide clarity for your clients and reinforce professional courtesy and boundaries for you.

It is common for mental health professionals to require a 24-48 hour notice for clients to cancel a scheduled appointment.  Under such a policy, the client who fails to give appropriate notice for canceling an appointment typically pays the therapist’s usual and customary fee.  Therapists who implement this type of policy often stipulate exceptions for emergencies and illness.

"Cancelled" by Paul G.

My cancellation policy reads as follows:  “  A cancelled appointment delays our work.  When you must cancel, please give me at least 24 hours notice.  I am rarely able to fill a cancelled session unless I know at least 24 hours in advance.  In you are unable to provide at least 24 hours notice when you cancel, you will be charged the full fee for your session unless I am able to fill it with another client.  (You should note that insurance companies do not typically reimburse for missed appointments.)  The only time I will waive this fee is in the event of serious or contagious illness or emergency.”

Should you decide to implement a cancellation policy in your practice, make sure that you include it in your written statement of disclosure.

Tags: Appointments, Disclosure Statement, Fee, Policy