Ask! Believe! Achieve!

Thinking Outside the Box

2009-03-16T22:00:00.000-07:00

Second semester is in full swing. The holidays are over, so the phone will soon ring again for therapists (if it isn't already happening for you). However, therapist-shopping is at a all-time high, especially as people are more conscious of wanting to get the most for their money. Have you thought about how your marketing style will stand out above the rest? What are you doing to attract clients and keep them coming back to you rather than moving on to the next therapist?

Private practice dynamics can be very creative. You don't have to remain locked into standard ways of advertising, such as yellow pages, giving presentations, etc. It's your business and you want it to be a reflection of who you are as a therapist...and as a person. First and foremost, if you haven't already, identify your ideal client. I know you've heard us mention this time and again, but how can you possibly know what creative route to take, if you aren't sure your ideal client will be there to see it?

Here are some suggestions that may help you stand out from other therapists in your area:

1) If you haven't done so in a while, consider upgrading your website. Adding an audio clip or a video clip of yourself inviting the reader to read more about your style and the site provides an opportunity to the reader to get to know you better than text alone does. The more they connect and feel comfortable with you, the more likely they will secure your services over another therapist.

2) Consider free phone consultations. Again, this allows more one-on-one interaction with a potential client and gives them an opportunity to understand your therapeutic style as well as giving you an opportunity to determine if this is the right client for you.

3) Offer longer sessions. I started doing this recently for my couples' intakes. They are now 75-minutes (and I charge accordingly), which give me an opportunity to slow down and really work on connecting with the couple, rather than feeling like I only have 50-minutes to collect history, assess for crises and build rapport, which left me feeling rushed. The 75-minute session gives me the freedom to hear more of the couples' concerns, really pay attention to their needs and respond with more therapeutic intervention, allowing the couple to feel like we're really working towards resolution of the problem even from the first session.

As you can see, there are many ways to be creative in attracting your ideal client, while maintaining legal and ethical boundaries. There is no rule that we, as clinicians, must adhere to a 50-minute hour or confine ourselves to specific means of advertising. One of the benefits of private practice is you have the ability to do whatever you want with it! Don't let anyone convince you to run your business in a way that doesn't feel practical or do-able for you. Thinking outside of the box allows you to stand out from the crowd, which can lead to more business and more job satisfaction.

As 2008 Wraps Up....

2008-12-14T18:58:00.001-08:00

Whether this is your first year in private practice or you're a seasoned veteran, congratulations on making it through another year! You might find December to be busy as clients find themselves in pre-holiday crises, or you might find your caseload a bit lighter as clients become involved with holiday festivities. Either way, as 2008 is winding down, there's still much you can do to help your practice thrive.

* If you're behind in reconciling your accounts and billing, get on it! Many insurance companies want to close out their books as well. In my experience, insurance companies tend to have faster turn-around times in processing your CMS forms at this time of the year.

* Set aside time to catch up on any charting that needs to be done. You don't want start 2009 with loose ends from 2008 - and it's critical that you have your charts in order in the event of an audit or subpoena.

* If business is slow, this is a great time to review your business plan for 2008 and see how you did. Look at your accomplishments and make some notes about what you might want to do differently Use this review as a starting point for re-evaluating your business plan and developing your goals for 2009.

* Use any downtime to update your website, your AdWords campaign, or any other internet-based marketing strategies. As people seek help recovering from a stressful holiday season, your website will be there to give them what they're looking for.

* If you're going to take any time off during the holidays, start informing clients now. This will help them deal with any crises they have and give you the space to enjoy the holidays.

* Keep your schedule balanced. Between clients, paperwork, shopping, and festivities of your own, this month can feel overwhelming! Carve out time to accommodate what you need to do for your practice and what you want to do for the holidays.

Teleclass CD Now On Sale!

2008-11-03T14:43:00.000-08:00

Have you participated in some of our teleclasses, but missed out on prior topics that are of interest to you?

Due to the number of requests we've received, we have taken 5 of our most popular teleclasses and are making them available on 1 CD!

Learn about:

• How to get clients to say "YES" when they call
• The Pros & Cons of Taking Insurance
• How to Uphold Practice Policies
• The Ins and Out of Private Practice
• How to Establish a Vision for Your Practice

Other teleconferences are sold for $25-50 each. In this special package, you'll get 5 separate 1-hour conferences on 1 CD for just $50. That's 5 hours of valuable marketing and practice-building information at an unbeatable price. Don't pass up this introductory offer as this price will only be available to you until November 15th!

Go to http://www.askbelieveachieve.org and reserve your copy today!

Jodi Blackley, MFT
Steve McCready, MFT
http://www.askbelieveachieve.org

Stay On Top of Your Practice

2008-10-08T22:52:00.000-07:00

With the economy in crisis, people are becoming more particular with how they spend their funds. You might be experiencing a dip in your client load; however, it doesn't mean that you can't use this downtime to organize your schedule and implement some balance in your life. So, what can you do to find such balance?

1) If your level of self-care has decreased, use this time to focus on yourself. Schedule in time for yourself now, while you have that time, so when your phone is ringing off the hook once again, you will already have that self-care time built in.

2) Want to alter some aspect of your practice? Use this time to revamp how your run your business.

3) Need to update your website or marketing plan? Now is the perfect time to do so! Block out time in your schedule to work on your marketing plan, visit doctors' offices, join networking groups and plan presentations.

These are a few ways you can maintain a positive outlook on a stress period in our nation, which in turn will make your practice stronger and you'll be more prepared for the influx of clients who will need your services to recuperate from this ordeal. Many therapists are taking a reactive, negative stance to the economic situation. If you don't allow yourself to be swayed by such negativity and continue to work on yourself and your practice, those efforts will result with more positive energy and focus, which is what we need to maintain a healthy practice and what our clients need from us.

Create a Vision for your Practice

2008-09-11T21:50:00.000-07:00

How will you know if your successful if you don't have a way to measure success?
How will you know when you've achieved your dream practice?

Join us on September 16 at 2:00pm (PDT) for a teleconference call on Building a Vision for your Practice. Learn how to set up a business plan so that you can measure your success.

Sign up today by going to our website Ask! Believe! Achieve!.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail

2008-08-14T22:54:00.000-07:00

If you don't have a business plan, or a vision for your practice, then how will you know what to work on?
How will you know when you've succeeded?
What will that look like?

Whether you're already in private practice, or just thinking about the possibility, it is never too early to work on a vision for your practice.

Join us on August 22, 2008 at 1:00 pm PDT for a FREE teleconference call on "Creating Your Practice Vision".

You can sign up today by clicking here!

Don't "fail to plan" to include this teleconference on your schedule!

We look forward to seeing you there!

We also have a new listserv up and running for those looking for ways to build their dream practice. Join us today by registering at Ask! Believe! Achieve! Yahoo Group.

The Value of Therapy

2008-08-05T20:01:00.000-07:00

Whether or not it qualifies as a recession, it's clear that we are experiencing an economic slowdown across the nation. You may have seen the impact of this in your practice - fewer calls, or more potential clients who are 'price shopping'. This can be distressing, but you don't need to panic or start looking for another job. Instead, you'll want to continue to work on marketing yourself as effectively as possible, and a key component of this is helping clients understand the value of coming to see you for their therapy needs.

If client are going to be more careful with how they spend their dollars, then it's important you convey how and why you are the best therapist for them. Help your potential clients to believe that you will be providing them value for their money. What are some of the ways you can do this?

1) Define your "ideal client" as well as the services you provide to this target population.
2) Convey these qualifications on your website and in your other marketing materials.
3) Get professional looking business cards, that don't demonstrate they're "free."
4) Work on a phone script (or several even!) to help you discuss your strengths with a potential client, so when they inquire about your fee, you can reply with confidence, as well as begin building rapport, so the client responds to you in a positive manner.
5) Have confidence in your skills and your ability to help others, and remind yourself of this before speaking with clients.

There will always be clients who are shopping for the 'lowest price'. That's okay - there are still plenty of people out there who will invest the money in a service that provides them with clear value. Continue to believe in yourself and your skills. We know therapists who are having record months right in the midst of this economic downturn, there's no reason you can't do it, too!

New Community Group!

2008-07-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

We have been getting a lot of requests to provide a community where people can go to share ideas and strategies on building and marketing their private practice. Well, we've heard the requests and we've responded!

We have created a Yahoo Group just for that purpose. If you are a clinician (licensed, pre-licensed or even still in graduate school) with a drive to enter the world of private practice, then this is the place for you! All levels or expertise are welcome! Private practice can be isolating and trying to create a practice can be overwhelming. Rather than trying to go it on your own, this is a great way to expand your support system and maybe even create a network of your own.

So if you want to join us, go to Yahoo Group: Ask! Believe! Achieve! & sign up today!

Summer Slowdown

2008-07-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

Clients go on vacation, children are out of school, work schedules are dramatically altered, resulting in an impact in your client caseload. Does this sound familiar? Are you finding your schedule and income in a state of flux? Welcome to Summer Slowdown! Summer can be a anxiety-provoking time for therapists, but it doesn't have to be. If you're finding your caseload to be a bit off-kilter at this time of the year, there are several things you can do to keep your practice thriving:

1) Look at your marketing strategies -- Are you tracking where your clients are finding you? Are you looking at where your calls are coming from and if a call is resulting in an intake? If not, now is the time to do this. By determining how you are attracting clients, you can decide where to best invest your marketing dollars.

2) Define your ideal client -- Trying to figure out who to market to? If you haven't determined your ideal client, then how are they ever going to find you and the wonderful services you can provide to them? Defining your ideal client will give you the strength, motivation and direction you need to build your dream practice.

3) Revisit your practice vision -- how long has it been since you've gone over your vision? A good business owner revisits their vision (aka their business plan) every 6 months to a year to see whether they are meeting their goals and to check that their goals are in alignment with their business needs. If you don't have a vision, now is the time to establish one! Otherwise, how will you possibly know when you've met your goals?

4) Get a website - You've defined your ideal client and have your vision, but how are your clients going to find you? Internet marketing is essential in the 21st century. Building a site takes time, and using the Summer is the perfect time to work on getting your site up and running without taking away from a heavy caseload.

5) Indulge in self-care -- we tell our clients how important it is to engage in a little TLC, yet we are notorious for not following our own advice! Whether it be a weekend getaway or taking up a new hobby, a little self-care can rejuvenate our own well-being, so we'll be ready to tackle those full caseloads!

If you're unsure where to start, or how to proceed, don't feel you have to tackle this on your own. Contact us today and let us help you get back on track! Ask! Believe! Achieve!

Start With a Vision

2008-05-28T20:42:00.000-07:00

"Failing to plan is planning to fail."

This is true of all good business owners. Private practice is not exempt from creating a good business plan. While clinicians may not have to come up with an intense business plan like big corporations, it is ideal to create a vision that exemplifies your ideal private practice.

So what does a private practice vision entail? You want to envision what you want your practice to look like at its peak. Whether you want a part-time or full-time practice, where do you want it located? How many days a week do you want to be working? How many clients a day do you want to see? What hours do you want to keep? These are only a few of the questions you need to ask yourself in order to formulate your ideal practice.

Does this feel overwhelming to you? It doesn't have to be. Designing a vision allows you an opportunity to take your plan and put it into action. From this vision you can devise a formattable marketing scheme, and look at the avenues that will most likely produce successful results.

Still feeling overwhelmed? This is where we can help you sit down and figure out your vision! Go to Ask! Believe! Achieve! to learn more about designing your vision and building your practice.

Find Safety in Numbers

2008-05-15T16:39:00.000-07:00

Ask! Believe! Achieve! wants to provide you with an opportunity to find support while setting up a private practice. I remember many nights where I felt anxious, wondering how clients were going to find me and how I was going to support myself financially until I got clients through the door. I wished I had a safe community to turn to during that time.

Support is now here! Ask! Believe! Achieve! has established a safe, private community board where clinicians can share their successes, trials, and lessons learned as you build your own private practice. Private practice can be a very isolating business. Through such communities (which are monitored carefully by the A!B!A! staff), you can grow and build your business with abundance in mind.

Join us and take the first step towards building your dream practice!

Internet -- How It Can Help You

2008-05-10T22:30:00.000-07:00

The internet has taken over. Clients are having virtual affairs. Children are being bullied in chat rooms and blogs. And, marketing schemes are turning to the internet. Be honest with yourself...when you search for a business, do you tend to pick up the phone book? Or do you tend to turn to Google, Yahoo, or your GPS system? More and more, people are using the internet to find services. If you haven't looked at the potential of the internet, then you're possibly losing out on a huge marketing potential.

So, where to start? Websites don't have to be elaborate or flashy. The website needs to convey a message to your readers, that you are "the therapist" who can provide the reader relief from whatever pain they're feeling. If your site is focuses more on your education, theoretical orientation, and experience, then you're not connecting to the client and have a higher likelihood the potential client will continue looking for a therapist who will "get them."

Feeling overwhelmed now? Well, let us help! This is how Ask! Believe! Achieve! can work with you to integrate your marketing plan to include internet-based niche marketing. It isn't hard, but it is necessary to meet the needs of the clients in the 21st century.

Closing the Deal: Getting the Client to Say "Yes!"

2008-04-21T23:07:00.000-07:00

Are You Experiencing the Following:

•A client calls to inquire about your services. You give them your "schpiel." At the end, rather than the client saying, "Sign me up," you get, "Let me talk to my wife/husband and I'll call you back."

•You have a client on the phone. They set the appointment, only to call back a little while later to cancel the appointment.

•You set the appointment, but the client never shows for the intake without any notification.

If this tends to happen to you, then it's time to sign up for the next FREE teleconference, "Closing the Deal!" Join us on April 29th at 4:00pm PST! You can sign up today at Ask! Believe! Achieve!

We'll be discussing reasons clients tend to back out, what you can do to minimize this from happening. We'll also look at scripts to help you through those awkward moments, such as discussing fees, dealing with insurance clients, and handling feelings you might experience, such as rejection and frustration.

Look forward to seeing you there! Ask! Believe! Achieve!

Establish Yourself!

2008-04-06T21:48:00.000-07:00

How many times have you questionned how you should handle a no-show with a client?
Have you ever wondered how to discuss policy changes with clients for fear they would bail?

If you have ever dealt with such situations, then you definitely want to join us on April 15th at 6:00 pm PST for the next teleconference, "Policies: The Benefits and Fears."

We will look at why we establish policies, why it's important to maintain them, and the ramifications if you don't. We'll also look at how you can reframe policies for yourself so that you can be the best business-minded clinician you can be!

Sign Up Today!
Can't wait to "see" you there!

Forums are Now Open!

2008-04-01T23:28:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to announce a new bulletin board to engage in ongoing discussions about pursuing your dream practice! Want to continue discussing teleconferences? Need to seek specific information? Check it out now! Register and begin to post. It's easy and a great way to share ideas.

Sign up now at Ask! Believe! Achieve Forums

Money: Is It the Root of all Evil?

2008-04-01T00:22:00.000-07:00

Did you miss out on the conference today? Well then, here's what you missed!

Explore what money means to you...finances is one of the top 3 reasons marriages fail. Your relationship with your client also has the possibility to fail if you aren't able to identify your own values and how that will impact the therapy.

If you tend to scrimp, you may find it difficult to invest money into yourself and your practice. This results in the possibility of not buying nice furniture, wall art, or other amenities to spruce up your office. It also may hinder you from budgeting for conferences, which can help you improve your skills.

You may use money as a gauge for your emotional success. When you're doing well, you feel great and invest more into your practice and yourself. When your practice is slow, you may take it personally and become panicked, or start to engage in self-depricating behaviors.

For more great information, sign up for more teleconferences at my site Ask! Believe! Achieve!

Starting a New Practice? Consider this...

2008-03-30T15:13:00.000-07:00

From our last "Setting up a Private Practice" teleconference this past Friday, there were 2 links I recommended every clinician to consider to protect your identity and be a better service to your clients.

The first is to get an Employee Identification Number (EIN) or a Tax ID number. You can use this in place of your Social Security number with insurance companies and clients who need a superbill. It's easy and it's FREE!

Go to: IRS.gov for more information and to apply.

The second is to get a National Provider Identification (NPI). While this is required for HIPAA-compliant clinicians, I have been told by some their superbills have been bounced back as a result of not having thei NPI on the receipt. Getting an NPI number does not mean you have to be HIPAA-compliant! Let me make that clear! It will; however, make reimbursement for your clients easier.

Go to: NPPES.CMS.hhs.gov for more information and application

Money & Private Practice - March 31, 2008

2008-03-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

Many of us go through our internships working with clients fom low-income families. Some can barely pay for their rent let alone therapy. Now, in private practice, we want clients to pay for our services, not only because our overhead costs more, but because we're worth it!

On March 31, we are having a teleconference to discuss these issues and look at ways to overcome them.

You can sign up now by going to Ask! Believe! Achieve! and taking the first step towards making yourself a better clinician!!!

Hope to see you there!

The Launch of Ask! Believe! Achieve! is official!

2008-03-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

As of midnight today, Ask! Believe! Achieve! was launched!

I'm excited for this endeavor, as it will provide clinicians an opportunity to grow their private practices in a supportive environment.

All too often, I hear pessamism:

There's a recession. Now's not the time to open a practice.
You'll have to get on insurance panels to make any money.
No one is going to therapy.

I'm always disheartened when I hear therapists talk this way.

The purpose of Ask! Believe! Achieve! is to help pre-licensed and licensed clinicians deal with these fallacies and work on maintaining a positive focus when embarking on such an adventure, such as going into business for oneself.

I hope you are able to join us on future calls. You can sign up at my website, Ask! Believe! Achieve!

I look forward to seeing you there!

Where Do I Start?

2008-03-23T19:30:00.000-07:00

In working with many pre-licensed clinicians, I get the question, "I want to get into private practice, but I don't know where to start. Any suggestions?"

My first question to such practitioners is, "How are you letting people know about your desire?"

The fact is there are a lot of resources for new practitioners to help them "break" into private practice. Many State-level organizations, such as California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (CAMFT) and American Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (AAMFT) have local (county/state) chapters, which meet on a regular basis. Getting involved in chapters allow you the opportunity to network and tell others of your desire as well as get a sense of who you are as a clinician.

Networking is the key. Putting out the word and allowing others will make the transition to private practice easier.

Free Teleconference Call - 3/28/08

2008-03-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

I'm offering a FREE series of teleconference classes on building your dream practice.
The first one is entitled, "Setting up Private Practice."
For more information, please go to http://www.jodiblackley.com/privatepractice.htm
Sign up quickly as space will be limited!

I look forward to interacting with all of you!

Jodi Blackley, MFT
jodiblackley@mac.com

Welcome!

2008-03-21T00:26:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Welcome to my blog to help others learn how to build the private practice of their dreams! I'm Jodi Blackley. I'm an MFT in the state of California and have been in private practice for 3 years. I have been told I have a great brain for business and want to share my experiences with others. I look forward to hearing your experiences!

On this blog, I'll be discussing my trials and tribulations of building my business and will provide links as a resource. I currently offer teleconference classes. You can learn more about them here: http://www.jodiblackley.com/privatepractice.htm

I'll include any resources as a result of these classes in future postings.

Please feel free to comment on topics you'd like to see and questions you may have!