Whether you’re new in private practice or a seasoned veteran, every psychotherapy business has room for improvement. especially in this digital age. To keep our resources fresh for use, we’ve just completely revised and updated our Private Practice Handbook for Psychotherapists. As always, we have numerous free resources at our Private Practice Resources page.
Private Practice Essentials
- Traditional Marketing
- Assess and evaluate your relationships to money and fees. Especially, debunk the myth that there is not enough money out there for people to pay out of pocket for therapy.
- Market to your own community by being visible, present and helpful via local newspaper columns and free presentations on topics that are relevant to the community, etc.
- Become an expert-educator by serving on local boards, committees, etc.
- Online Marketing
- A Must: Creating a website which gives the viewer a quick and clear view of your competency and caring. A short video of 1-2 minutes is ideal (you can record it on your smart phone).
- Social Networking marketing via FB page, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.
- Blog on topics close to your heart and expertise.
- Practicing Outside Managed Care
- How to tell clients about the potential hazards of managed care and why you choose not to be an ‘approved provider’.
- Explain to clients how mangled care may significantly compromise their privacy.
- Have clients pay you in full, each session. Give them an invoice (or superbill) if they want to submit it to their insurance.
- Ethical-Legal-Management
- Have all your clinical forms and HIPAA forms updated and ready, especially your informed consent, HIPAA NPP (if you are a Covered Entity), Initial assessment, Treatment Plan, Authorization, Termination, etc.
- Competently keep clinical records
- Learn how to respond to subpoenas
- HIPAA Compliance
- Professional wills
- Clients’ request for records
- Prevent burnout and vicarious traumatization
- Be prepared to deal with licensing boards’ inquiries
- TeleMental Health
- E-Mail with clients
- Texting with clients
- Videoconferencing with clients
- Googling clients
- FB friending with clients
- Electronic Health Records
- Computer/Tablet/Cell Phone security
While TeleMental health is not exploding in comparison with TeleMedicine, some essential digital communications are a must in the digital age. Learn the ethical issues and management of the most important issues:
- Business Management
- Learn about tax-deductible items
- Consider incorporating (LLC or Inc.)
- Learn how to manage the home office
- Professional will
- Much more