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, Rights & Responsibilities

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: Blog

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: Consultation, 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: Civility, Common Ground, Conflict, Discussion List, Online Etiquette, Peter Shankman, Professional Communication, Public Image, Social Media, Trigger, Your Motive

"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: Blog, Fast Company, Gina Trapani

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

If you are looking at your marketing calendar and trying to decide where to focus your energy for the month of October, how about Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

According to the American Cancer Society, almost 200,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2009.  Over 40,000 women are expected to die from this disease this year.  It is the second leading cause of death (lung cancer is the first) in women in the United States so you have plenty of good reasons to get involved.

Here are some ways to make a difference

"Ducks for the Cure" by Kim Baker

AND get your practice noticed . . . .

• Invite a physician into your practice to discuss breast cancer with your clients.
• Send a letter to health care providers letting them know that you will be providing extended hours or reduced fees for referrals breast cancer patients during the month of October.
• Provide a free breast cancer support group.  Hold it at the local library and let the local newspaper know the details.
• Join one of the many fund raising opportunities like the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in New York.
• If you’ve had a personal experience with breast cancer, consider writing / speaking about the experience to women’s groups around your area.
• Create your own fundraiser.  Ask other therapists to help you.  Get the media involved.

You can find a list of additional ways to help promote National Breast Cancer Awareness Month here.

Tags: Calendar, Fee, Fundraiser, Media, Physician, Public Speaking, Support Group

Health care professionals often forget that the general public is yet another constituent of  the educational community.  As such, it is another potential focus for your marketing in an attempt to get referrals from the school system.

Research has shown that the public perception of problems faced by schools is often very different than educator’s perceptions.  That discrepancy opens up many opportunities for you to orchestrate community dialogue and related services to facilitate constructive feedback and input between these two groups.

Listed below are some of the ideas that I have collected . . . .  Some of them I’ve tried; some of them I’ve only heard about.

"Woods Waterfall Door II" by John Banks

• Hold a focus group.
• Host a town “chat” at the local library.
• Facilitate a problem-solving group.
• Conduct research on a perceived problem.
• Write letters to the editor addressing the concerns of the public.
• Start a book club that deals with education-related issues.
• Create a collaborative education-community visioning group to set goals for the school system.

What’s going on in your community?  What has worked for you? I’m sure that you have other ideas and experiences to share.  Take a minute to add your thoughts below as we begin to mine the many opportunities related to public perception of school problems.

Related Posts

Back-to-School Marketing for Your Private Practice

K-12 Support to Feed Your Private Practice

Tags: Book Club, Collaborate, Focus Group, Goal, Letter to the Editor, Research, School, Vision

This is the fifth post in a series that highlights standardized formats for your clinical notes.  The series began here.

"Intense Color Coded Notes" by mandiberg

I have only recently stumbled across the Gillman HIPAA Progress Note here.  Of the four methods that I have mentioned, this is the only one that has been developed after the introduction of HIPAA. It was developed by Peter D. Gillman, Ph.D. in response to the implementation of HIPAA.   As such, he has taken the extra precaution to intentionally exclude information that is not protected by HIPAA.  I consider that to be a significant improvement over previous iterations of standardized note taking.

I have not yet used this method but plan to try it out.  At first glance, it seems thorough, efficient and equally important, it is fully HIPAA compliant.

If you are not satisfied with the current format of your progress notes, I would encourage you to try this one.  Here’s what you need to include:

• Time of your session,
• Treatment and frequency of modalities you provided,
• A summary that includes, client’s symptoms and functional status, progress, diagnosis, treatment plan and prognosis.

To obtain this information, Gillman recommends asking yourself these six questions . . . .

1. “What symptoms did my client present today?”
2. “How is this impacting their ability to function?”
3. “What progress did my client make since his last session?”
4. “How does this change my thinking around diagnosis, treatment, planning, and prognosis?”
5. “What is my immediate treatment plan and recommendation?”
6. “What is my immediate prognosis?”

Let me know if you try the Gillman HIPAA Progress Note and how it works for you.  I’m eager to compare notes!

Tags: Change, Clinical Note, Diagnosis, Gillman HIPAA Progress Note, HIPAA, Modality, Prognosis, Progress, Recommendation, Symptom, Treatment Plan

This is the fourth post in a series that highlights standardized formats for your clinical notes.  The series began here.

"Id, Ego, and the Misplaced Monkey" by paintMondkey / Daren Higham

A third format for clinical note taking is commonly known as BASIC SID.  This is yet another mnemonic.  The letters stand for Behavior, Affect, Sensation, Imagery, Cognition, Spiritual (and Religious), Interpersonal, and Drug (and Biology).

Behavior refers to what you see your client doing and not doing. 

Affect refers to both your client’s mood and congruence with expressing those moods. 

Sensation refers to your client’s awareness of his five senses and includes hallucinations, perceptual illusions, muscular tension or pain, excessive sensitivity to environmental stimuli, and what the client saw and heard. 

Imagery related to your client’s past, present or future in any way includes dreams, fantasies, obsessions, flashbacks and responses to guided imagery. 

Cognitive focuses on your client’s constructed meaning i.e. self talk, mental abilities, personal narrative, beliefs and mental schema.

Spiritual includes your client’s beliefs related to a Supreme Being, affiliation and practices with religious groups, religious resources, conscience and moral development, themes of guilt and forgiveness, creativity, and personal comfort related to ideas of spirituality. 

Interpersonal references your client’s relationships with others, level of social skills, degree of acculturation, and any incidents of social injustices. 

Drug and biological includes your client’s use of chemicals (both illegal and legal), medical compliance and concerns, and any incidents of delirium or dementia.

What I really like about a BASIC SID clinical note is that the acronym provides prompts to help me remember to focus on all areas relevant to my client’s progress.

Tomorrow I will talk to you about taking clinical notes using the Gillman HIPAA Progress Note.

Tags: BASIC SID Note

This is the third post in a series that highlights standardized formats for your clinical notes.  The series began here.

"Writing Scathing Notes" by JasonRogersFooDogGiraffeBee

A second format for documenting your clinical work is called DA(R)P notes, sometimes referred to as DAP notes.  These are similar to clinical SOAP notes. 

DA(R)P is a mnemonic that stands for Data, Assessment (and Response), and Plan.

Data, in this format, includes both subective and objective data about the client as well as the therapist’s observations and all content and process notes from the session.

The Assessment and Response includes your clinical impressions, hunches, hypotheses, and rationale for your professional judgment. Progress is also noted here.

Plan refers to your original treatment plan and any response / revisions needed based on your most recent interactions with your client.

This method of clinical note taking is also an acceptable format for your documentation.

Tomorrow I’ll talk to you about BASIC SID notes.

Tags: Assessment, DA(R)P Note, Treatment Plan