Favorite readers, I know this is a blog focused on helping you build a vibrant private practice but I’ve had so many new mental health professionals contact me asking for job leads in the State of Colorado so here’s what I can tell you . . . .

Colorado is geographically challenged with 90% of it’s population living up and down the I-25 corridor.

For nonprofit employers, check out Colorado Nonprofit Association.  This is a fabulous resource.  Take some time to roam around the site.  There’s a job board, a resume board, and an events board embedded in the site.  They hold a fall conference that has lots of networking potential.  They also offer training that can be of interest to nonprofits, board development, and individuals.

Here is a list of Colorado Colleges and Career Schools.  I don’t know what type of job you are looking for (and, obviously, this list includes many schools that do not have programs that teach mental health professionals).  However, if you are looking to teach in higher education, it’s a jumping off place to check out their human resources departments and needs.  And, of course, don’t forget to check out  HigherEdJobs.com in Colorado.

Don’t forget to hook up with the Colorado Counseling Association.  The professional organization is more active than ever and is looking for ways to support licensed counselors across the state.

Colorado Health Foundation Jobs lists volunteer opportunities (great for networking) as well as job openings.

If you are relocating to the state, by all means, feel free to touch base with me at Tamara at TamaraSuttle dot com.  I’m happy to help you meet the mental health professionals here in Colorado as we build our mental health community!

Tags: Colorado, Higher Ed, Job Hunting, Non-Profits, Professional Association, Volunteer

As 2010 gets under way, I hope you’re planning for your professional development needs.  I am excited to say that will be attending (not presenting at) the annual conference of the Association for Women in Psychology February 11-14, 2010 in Portland, Oregon.  AWP is a terrific professional organization open to all mental health students and professionals.

If you are also planning to attend this conference,  I hope you’ll take a moment to let me know so that we can meet face to face and possibly share a bite to eat together!

Tags: Professional Association, Professional Development

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

If you are getting ready to start shopping for a clinical supervisor, here are 10 more questions you need to ask before you invite them to work with you.

"Question Mark" by Segozyme

1. What professional associations are you a member of?
   Don’t assume that they are telling you the truth.  Make sure that you verify their membership through your state licensing board.
2. How are you involved in these associations?
   Does she hold an office in the organization?  Remember to verify that your prospective supervisor is as involved as she represents herself to be.
   A supervisor who is actually involved in a professional association (rather than just paying her membership dues), is better able to help develop you as a professional in the field.
3. Why did you choose to join these organizations?
   Was it about the membership fee?  The purpose of the organization?  The benefits of membership?  This can tell you a lot about what is important to your prospective supervisor.
4. Do you expect me to be involved in a professional association?
   If so, then you will want to know which organization and how involved.
5. How will you monitor my client’s welfare?
   Your supervisor may monitor you through a one-way mirror, ask you to audio / video record your sessions for review, obtain self-reports from you, contact your clients, etc.  Most clinical supervisors use a variety of methods to monitor client welfare.
6. How do you insure my compliance with ethical, legal, and professional standards?
   This is a critical task for your supervisor and you want to make sure that she has a solid plan for this to take place.  In doing so, your client as well as you will be protected.
7. What do you expect of me as your supervisee?
   Yes, your supervisor will have expectations of you and the best way to meet them is to go in informed.  A professional clinical supervisor will have a written contract that stipulates your supervisor’s expectations (as well as your own).  Don’t accept a supervisor who does not have this in place.
8. What conflicts typically arise between you and your supervisee?
   Everyone has conflicts.  You want a supervisor who is aware of them and comfortable enough to talk about them openly and honestly.
9. How do you handle conflict when it arises with a supervisee?
   You want to know that your supervisor has basic problem solving skills.
10. How do you address counter transference between me and my client?
    As a new therapist, it is likely that you may not have much experience dealing with this predictable but sticky issue.  You’ll want a clinical supervisor who doesn’t flinch, judge or shy away from helping you develop skills to deal with issues of transference and counter transference.

Are you finding these questions to be helpful?

These questions came from the Institute in Counselor Supervision taught at the University of North Texas’ Counseling Program by Carolyn W. Kern, Ph.D., LPC, NCC and Cynthia K. Chandler, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT.

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Tags: Contract, Counter Transference, Professional Association, Transference

As you develop your marketing strategies for working with the educational community, don’t forget to consider collaborating with your competitors.

• Begin by asking professionals in education for the names and contact info of other health professionals they work with.
• Contact those individuals whose names your were given.  Invite them to meet with you to discuss possible ways for health professionals to collaborate.
• Create a resource directory / guide that details each professional’s services and areas of expertise.
• Use the internet to collect the names and contact info for other allied health professionals in your geographic area who focus on education issues.
• Don’t forget to include any professional association that may also focus on these issues.  Obtain mailing lists for these organizations.
• Send a personalized cover letter introducing yourself to each individual with a copy of your resource directory / guide.
• Invite each individual to complete a form (which you will include with the letter above) and return it to you if they wish to be included in the next version of the resource directory.
• Follow up with a telephone call to arrange a meeting with each one.

In this way, your competitors become your allies and you strengthen your position in the educational community.

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Tags: Collaborate, Community Resources, Competitor, Cover Letter, Mailing List, Professional Association, School