Networking with Other Professionals

Networking with professionals in your community helps you to stay connected to potential referral sources as well as become an active member of the professional community. Getting out and talking to others as you become the face of your business will assist in confidence building for referral sources. Remember when networking to be social, friendly and approachable as you are constantly representing your company. There are several ways to begin networking with others immediately while others take time to develop. Allow community partners to begin associating the name of your business with trust, positivity and advocacy. Various opportunities to network include

Volunteering for Causes- Special Olympics, Homeless Shelter
Joining Kiwanis, Rotary or the Red Carpet Committee via the Chamber of Commerce
Sponsor a youth T-ball team or bowling team
Attend lunch workshops offered by other community members
Host an Open House at your business and invite other professionals in the area
Offer lunch meetings for information sharing and provide food
Join in Fundraising activities for Activists in the Community
Sponsor a community event such as movies in the park or Halloween Trick or Tot

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State Rules and Regulations

The mental health licensing board in each state not only oversees the professional and ethical expectations of counselors but it typically outlines which professional licenses can and cannot own own private practices. For instance in the State of Wyoming, mental health licenses that require temporary or ongoing supervision are not allowed to own a private practice. This includes Certified Social Workers Provisionally Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists Certified Mental Health Worker Clinicians that have full licenses (LCSW, LMFT or LPC) typically have fewer restrictions in owning a private practice. If you are uncertain if you can own a private practice, review the rules and statutes posted by the mental health licensing board in your state. Call or email the board directly with any questions not outlined within the state statutes.

Getting Licensed in Wyoming

Depending on your graduate school specialty area, you can find Wyoming mental health provider application materials and requirements on the following websites: For bachelor or master level social workers, licensed professional counselors and psychotherapists, marriage and family therapists, you can obtain the needed application forms from the Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board at http://mentalhealth.wyo.gov/ For doctoral level psychologists, school psychologists, post-doctoral psychology interns, and specialists in school psychology, you can visit the Wyoming Board of Psychology at http://psychology.wyo.gov/ School psychologists or Specialists in school psychology who wish to pursue a license as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) should contact the Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board at http://mentalhealth.wyo.gov/

Federal Tax Payments

Federal taxes as a self employed individual and for a business operate differently then other employment arrangements. You will pay your typical percentage of tax withholding plus an additional self employment tax. Self employment tax is currently about 15%. The rate consists of two parts: 12% for social security (old-age, survivors, and disability insurance) and 3% for Medicare (hospital insurance). Essentially self employment tax is the amount a company pays on your behalf when you work for them. Since you are now self employed, you are responsible for both chunks of the payment. Depending on how you established your practice as a legal entity alters how the business is taxed. Remember that the legislators of the country reform tax law often and your tax liability may change with new laws. Consider having an CPA in your community complete your taxes rather than an online service. This can maximize your deductions. Keep accurate logs and books throughout the year for

Mental Health Practice Support

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