It’s easy to get stuck in the middle of gathering ideas, stirring them up and daydreaming about how perfect each one will be . . . and six months later finding that you haven’t moved forward on any of them!
One thing I’ve learned from my writer friends in Boulder Media Women is that if you want to write a book, you have to sit in a chair and write; and, if you want to implement a new project in your private practice, you need to put one foot in front of another to achieve that goal.
It doesn’t happen by itself. And, it doesn’t happen if you are spread too thin by feeding all your great ideas at once.
Carve out time on a weekly basis dedicated to your one new project.
Block out the time on your calendar.
Set measurable goals for your work.
Develop the idea / product / project.
Finesse the details. (Need a focus group to help?)
Create a marketing plan.
Fill your seats / meet your goals.
Then you’re ready to pick (another) one . . . and GO!
I put off building my websites for at least five years simply because I didn’t know where to start. Now that I have two, I thought it might be useful if I shared some of my thoughts to help you get your website started. There are several things you need to consider before you even talk to a web designer.
Why Do You Want A Website? A good website will not be all things to all people. Do you want it to build your credibility? Do you want it to provide information? Is there another reason that you want a website? Get clear about it and stay focused.
Who Is Your Target Audience? Be specific here because it matters. The look and feel as well as the content of my counseling website is geared to women with a particular focus on complex trauma. It’s not necessarily going to be attractive to servicemen or useful to parents of small children. It’s not very focused on addictions or compulsive sexual behaviors. Take the time to identify and speak directly to your targeted audience.
Why Will People Take Time To Visit Your Website? Are they looking for relief? Entertainment? Information? Know why they will take time to visit your website and then use that information to meet their needs.
How Will People Find Your Website? Will they be looking for someone like you or will they be looking specifically for you?Your networking will both affect how and be affected by how others find you / your site.
What Are The Measurable Goals For Your Website? After being up for one year? After five years?
Answering these five questions is critical to developing a good website. Once you are able to answer them, you are ready to begin the next phase of developing your website. Let me know when you’re ready and I’ll walk you through the next step!
In 2002, I took my first course on clinical supervision. Based on the information gained in that course and my own personal experience, here are 10 questions that you should ask anyone that you may consider hiring for your clinical supervision:
"Answering Questions" by Jan / garlandcannon
What are your credentials? If s/he says s/he is licensed, verify it. In Colorado, you can do that here for free.
How long have you been licensed? Require a minimum of 5 years.
What is your academic background? Make sure your supervisor graduated from an accredited program. For counselors [in the United States], that accreditation should be CACREP. Does s/he have a Ph.D. or a Master’s Degree? In what area — counseling, psychology, social work, human resources, etc.? Why did s/he choose the program s/he chose?
Do you have formal training in supervision? If so, how much? Trends in supervision are changing and the professional standard is rapidly shifting to require formal training in clinical supervision before you can provide it to mental health professionals. In many states, like Texas, your clinical supervisor MUST have formal training in order for you to count your supervision hours toward your eventual licensure.
How long have you been providing clinical supervision? Again, make sure you get your money’s worth. Require a minimum of 5 years experience in clinical supervision.
Can you provide references for your clinical supervision? This is very important. You want to talk to past employers, previous partners, supervisees, and others who can give you information about professional behavior, personality conflicts, problems, concerns, ethical dilemmas, etc.
What can I expect from supervision under you and what therapeutic skills will you teach me? This should be discussed and spelled out in a written Contract of Supervision.
Do you consider your supervision style to be that of a teacher, consultant, counselor, or evaluator? Your clinical supervisor should be ALL of these. You should expect to learn new information, new therapeutic skills, new ways of conceptualizing your clients, and new resources from your supervisor. You should be able to consult with her about any clinical concerns. Although you will not be counseled about your personal issues, your supervisor will help you become aware of the ways that your personal issues get in the way of your clients’ best interests. And, first and foremost, your clinical supervisor will evaluate your level of performance at all times. S/he will give you feedback about your strengths and ways to strengthen your performance as a counselor.
How will you evaluate me and how will you provide that information to me? You should expect to receive verbal and written feedback at regular intervals throughout your supervision.
How would you like me to provide you with feedback about your style of supervision? You want a supervisor who is eager and open to receiving feedback from you about your experience and needs for supervision.
If you aren’t sure about where to begin working on your private practice, you may want to start by creating a Life List for Your Practice.Here’s how you do that. . . .
Step 1 – Start by making a list. . . a “brain dump”
"Up, Up and Away! 236 / 365" by mollyjolly / Maria Johnson
of everything you know you need to do for your business.Do you need to put your Marketing Kit together?If so, itemize exactly what you need to do i.e. find a graphic designer, find a printer, find an office, print receipts, meet physicians, create a menu of services?Be as specific as you can be when making your list.
Step 2 – Then, add to that list (being as specific as you can) everything that you know you want to do with your business.Do you want to write a book?Expand to multiple locations?Hire other therapists?See clients only on the weekend?Offer EMDR?Facilitate retreats in France?Provide workshops on hypnosis?Begin offering public speaking?Think big!Be bold!You have the rest of your professional life to accomplish these things!
Step 3 – Think of your Life List for Your Practice as a product that is a working list in continuous flux.It changes as you change.As you accomplish these goals, check them off.
And, back to Step 1 – As you become aware of new to-do’s for your practice, make sure you add them to the list.
What are the to-do’s you have on your Life List for Your Practice?
Tamara G. Suttle, M.Ed., LPC has maintained a private clinical practice since 1991 and founded Private Practice from the Inside Out in 2003. She has spent almost 20 years consulting and teaching marketing strategies to health care professionals like you. You can learn more about her clinical practice at her website.
Email Tamara
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