Writing and publishing can help you establish credibility, build your professional reputation, and position you as one who makes lasting contributions to your profession. All of these can, in turn, contribute to your success in private practice.
Whether you are still in graduate school or you are already hard at work out in the professional world, if you are in need of online tools to help you format your works in APA style, here are some resources for you:
Although I’m not a fan of “manualized” treatment of clients, according to professional standards of care and the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics (Section C on Professional Responsibility), a professional counselor has a “responsibility to engage in counseling practices that are based on rigorous research methodologies.”
Here are some online resources to help you quickly identify researched based methodologies:
There is a lot that goes into creating a website for your private practice. Even if you don’t want to spend the money right now, you need to think ahead of time about the many components that go into the development of your website. Here is a starter list of things to consider.
Static (HTML) or blog platform [I never recommend HTML. Check out the link to Blogging with Beth in the sidebar for more info about blogs.]
If you have a static site, do you also want to include a blog? [Definitely]
Who is going to write the content for your sight – you or someone else? [Kathryn Bass is a really gifted copywriter if you want someone to write it for you. And, if you are looking for someone to help you write it yourself, hire me! I'll be glad to help!]
Spend some time surfing on other websites. Collect the URLs of the ones that you like (as well as the ones you hate). [Your web designer will love your for this.]
Look and feel – gather samples of art / color palettes that you like – either hard copy or on line. [If you want more options of color palettes, check out COLOURLovers.]
Navigation of content - How someone gets around your site matters. Ask your web designer to make it simple and logical.
Nothing puts potential clients and referral sources at ease as quickly as hearing from your colleagues and past clients that you have been helpful to them. That’s why it’s important to collect testamonials and to use them liberally. Here are some ways that I have effectively integrated testamonials into my marketing marketing efforts . . . .
I always offer to provide references to those considering attending my Annual Series of Private Practice from the Inside Out. It’s a great way to show that my intentions are good i.e. I’m providing what I say I will provide. It’s also a good way to let past participants brag on their own successes and tell others what a terrific investment it was for their practices.
I pepper my handouts and fliers with testamonials.
I have used testamonials as the basis for an advertisement.
I have used written testamonials on each page of my counseling website. (I have also seen other professionals actually use YouTube-type videos of testamonials.)
I also look for opportunities to include testamonials when I am writing proposals to present or teach at different institutions and organizations. I may insert these into my cover letter or include a separate sheet with stats and comments gathered from previous presentations.
I’m sure that there are other effective ways to use the testamonials that you gather. If you think of them, I hope you will leave them below.
Unlike many professionals, those in mental health cannot ethically ask therapy clients / ex-clients for testamonials. Nor can you use your client’s written expressions of gratitude without their permission. However, there are other ways to ethically gather testamonials about your quality of work and your clients’ satisfaction.
Remember that youcannot ask your therapy clients for a testamonial. And, you cannot use your client’s actual words without their permission.
Always gather feedback when you present to your peers in educational setting – then paraphrase their comments;
Gather cheers (and jeers) when you offer psycho-educational workshops;
Collect clippings from the media (including print, video, and online sources) that include impressions of your work;
Consider asking for letters of reference from practice allies who know the caliber of your work;
If you have a web presence, and these days every private practitioner needs one, ask referral sources to write a brief statement for your website highlighting one of your strengths.
Check back in on Thursday and I’ll give you some ideas about how to use the comments that you collect.
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!
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
according to professional standards of care and the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics (Section C on Professional Responsibility), a professional counselor has a “responsibility to engage in counseling practices that are based on rigorous research methodologies.”
[I never recommend HTML. Check out the link to 
ce from the Inside Out. It’s a great way to show that my intentions are good i.e. I’m providing what I say I will provide. It’s also a good way to let past participants brag on their own successes and tell others what a terrific investment it was for their practices.
