Obtaining Certification

Be sure to check your scope of practice, granted by your license, against the rules and regulations of the State Department of Health in particular the Substance Abuse division. In Wyoming, private practices as well as agencies need a Substance Abuse certification issued by the state in order to actively treatment substance abuse disorders. In some states, if your practice has a national accreditation such as CARF or JCAHO, state certification is not also required. Professional licenses that may require additional agency certification in the private sector are

Licensed Addiction Therapist (LAT)
Certified Addiction Practitioner (CAP)
Certified Addiction Practitioner Assistant (CAPA)

Substance abuse certification is a process that often includes an application that focuses on your understanding of the following areas of practice

Adherence to state standards of care
Documentation
Treatment plan requirements
HIPAA compliance
Levels of care
Assessment
Programming requirements including frequency
Client rights and handbook

Certifications expire so be sure to plan accordingly for their renewal.

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Keys to Starting your Private Practice

If you have ever dreamed of starting your own successful mental health practice, you are not alone. Many clinicians have taken the leap and started seeing private clients with varying degrees of success. This begs the question:

How can I succeed in a new private practice?
Equality Connections in Cheyenne, Wyoming helps clinicians of many experience levels realize this dream and we have found some key areas that clinicians need to consider when they start a new practice.
Survive the cash flow challengeAccountants, lawyers and financial advisors, Oh My!Business licensesState rules and regulationsObtaining certification Choosing office spaceBusiness insurance Getting your name into the communityLetting people know you are taking new referralsScheduling clientsBilling considerationsOngoing advertising for small practicesState tax paymentsFederal tax paymentRetaining clients Over the next several blog entries, I will be giving you valuable information about the above categories as you star…

Surviving the cash flow challenge

As you begin setting up your private practice, it is important to remain realistic about the time it takes to become fully operational. Typically new practitioners will need 6 months to 2 years to establish their own practice. The difference in set up time will vary with how many referral sources you acquire and how much marketing is completed. Here are three basic rules to help you get started.

Rule #1: Don't quit your day job
Start seeing private clients after hours from your current job. If there is a non-compete contract in place at your agency, try to negotiate different terms possibly by seeing clientele that varies in diagnosis from clients served in your current agency. You may need to consult an attorney if you cannot negotiate new terms to the non-compete agreement. Many states will only enforce trademark or proprietary information sharing and not actual work restrictions. Meeting with a few clients a week in the beginning will allow you to sample private practice and …

Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)

Continuing education credits are required to maintain your mental health license (LCSW, LPC, and LMFT). Consider using your mandated CEUs to specialize in the populations you want to serve. This approach will speed you along your path of specialization and allows you to complete your renewal requirements. In Wyoming, clinicians currently need 45 continuing education hours for every two years this typically renews on their birthday. There are many ways to earn the credits you need without breaking the bank.

Local trainings offered by companies such as PESIOnline training many offer unlimited CEUs for a fixed priceWebinarsNational conferences Travel to trainings offered in other cities (tax deduction for private practices)

Mental Health Practice Support

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