Rehabilitation Counselor, Jennifer Houck’s comments caught my eye on one of my favorite discussion lists when she wrote:

In my counseling program I had a fantastic assessment class . . . . I graduated with the credentials to order, administer and interpret a wide variety of testing instruments. My private practice is mostly doing evaluations.” [My emphasis, not Jennie's.] (Lesson #1 – When choosing a graduate program, look for one that will let you do the maximum number of of things related to your profession.  Jennie’s program prepared her to order, administer and interpret assessment tools.  Not all programs do.)

I can’t imagine a counseling masters without an assessment course! Now in my particular case I fell head over heels in love with assessment so went on the take assessment courses in education, special education and psychology.”  (Lesson #2 – Trust that what you love is part of the equation to building a strong referral base.  It worked for me and it worked for Jennie!)”

Now that is definitely a niche!  So I contacted her to learn how she ended up in a private practice focusing primarily on assessments and this is what she said:

Contacts I made in graduate school via internships and field works!” (Lesson #3 – It’s never too early to start networking.  Who to network with in graduate school?  Your peer and professors, of course!)

In my rehab counseling masters I had two field work experiences, one with a state agency and one with a community college. I split my 600 internship between a different department in the same state agency and a federal agency. ” (Lesson #4 – Graduate school is the perfect time to sample different things – different work sites, different populations, different theories and interventions. By changing things up, you’ll be better able to mix and match contacts, work experiences, and clinical skills later on. This flexibility will pay dividends when you decide to reinvent yourself in private practice.)

From these four experiences I received a state contract, a federal contract and a part time job with the college upon graduation.” (Lesson #5- Those who are willing to diversify their practices are the very ones that thrive.)

I began attending the state annual conference in my second year of graduate school – nearly 20 years ago.  I met people and because I had an unusual niche interest people noticed me.” (Lessons #6 and #7 – Smart counselors get involved at the state level in their professional associations and the ways you are different are the ways matter.)

Over the years I’ve made contacts at various conferences and training opportunities which have led to more contracts and referrals . . . . “  (Lesson #8 – The strategic never stops . . . and when you’ve got all the clients you want, that’s when you need to tout your services most heavily.)

I actually do no marketing. It’s a failing of mine. Everything was so easy in the beginning that I never needed to market myself. Counselors within the agencies compare notes so word spread that I produced a quality product . . . . “  (Lesson #9 – Jennifer Houck knows how to seed, nurture and build a private practice!)

Jennifer is an excellent example of how to “listen” for your own calling to a particular niche.  She kept her eyes and ears open – to both her own heart’s desire during her graduate training and also to the opportunities that presented themselves once she had graduated.

If you are having difficulty figuring out your heartwork and niche, consider hiring me or another professional to help you focus your work and your message.  The results really do pay off in private practice!

[ Jennifer Houck, MS, MSE, EDS, CRC, CVE, LMSW (IA) is the Director of Lyric Counseling Services where she is a Vocational Evaluator and Rehabilitation Counselor.  You may contact her at PO Box 21248, Des Moines, IA. 50321-9405 or JennieAdagio@mchsi.com.  Her phone number is (515) 974-1415]