I’m so sorry that you have had such a costly experience with a copywriter. Although the content of my blog is entirely my own, I have used the services of a fabulous copywriter, Kathryn Bass at Kadroodle, in the past for different projects and will most likely use her services again. Just like a coach or professional counselor, hiring a copywriter is often a gamble and word of mouth might help you sift through the “chaff.”

I like the direction your coach is going, though, in having you write your own biography. Even if you decide to take your bio to a copywriter after you create it to get it spiffed up a bit, the content and the voice will be more likely to still be your own.

You can find my individual coaching and consulting fees here. I also provide 9 months of small group coaching focused on how to market a private practice and get the clients you need through my Annual Series of Private Practice from the Inside Out. You can find details on the Annual Series (including fees) here.

To date, the Annual Series has only been offered here in Colorado (USA) face-to-face. This year’s Annual Series begins July 9th and I still have a couple of openings. However, I am being inundated with requests to provide the Annual Series as a tele-series and I’ve made the commitment to make a decision about this by the end of June. If this is something that you are interested in, let me know and I’ll be happy to add you to my growing list!

Joyce, your timing is serendipitous as I’m currently working on a post that will outline what you should include in a personal biography. This may be all that you need to jumpstart your own professional biography. (I’ll make a point to let you know when it posts on this blog.) And, if you still need help after that post, feel free to contact me. I’m happy to contract with you to polish up that bio and launch that practice of yours in a big way!

Thanks, again, for taking time to connect. I hope you’ll drop back in often and invite your coach and colleagues to join us as we build our online community of mental health and allied health care professionals. There is always room for one more at Private Practice from the Inside Out!

I am up in Canada and just came across your website when searching for necessity of branding.

You have great information on your blog and I like your website.

I am starting a private practice (Clinical Counsellor) out of the Vancouver, White Rock, and Lower Mainland area in British Columbia (2 hours north of Seattle).

Being totally new to this I have already come across problems like paying a copy writer hundreds of dollars for one short page of information. I am finally going to attempt to creat a brochure, card, and website on my own but need help. I see that you mention a professional bio and I am wondering if you have an example or if you have anymore information on it as my Business Coach suggested that I create one as soon as possible while I work on my website and brochure so that I can start promoting myself.

Can you also give me some rates on your services?

I have been advised to focus on only one speciality –however I believe that I need to expand at least a bit — because I will be limiting myself too much. Have you had much experience with this area.

Thank you.

Joyce Baker, MA, RCC, CCC
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Addictions Studies Certified
& Professional Art Therapist
White Rock, British Cloumbia, Canada

However, there are many ways that I believe you can use testimonials from your work in non-clinical areas. (Please let me know if you think I am incorrect here.) For example, if you are consulting with a school district, you may use a testimonial from the superintendent about your consulting skills. If you are teaching a class, you can gather feedback based on your students’ evaluations. Even colleagues and peers may be able to write testamonials to support your marketing efforts.

Do I have any mental health attorneys reading this blog right now? If so, I would welcome a legal opinion about guidelines for using testamonials . . . with a particular nod to the constraints of psychologists.