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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Getting Your Name into the Community

It is never to soon to begin getting your name into the community as private practice practitioner. Think about who your ideal clients are and where they gather to shop, go for medial care, take their children for education, go for entertainment, etc. Think about professional offices that treat clients with unmet mental health care needs: doctors offices, laboratories, occupational therapists, counselors at schools and colleges etc. Then start calling and setting up short meetings with the staff to "pitch" your practice. Remember to illustrate what sets your practice apart from others. If a meeting with the staff is not possible, ask to leave information about your business at the front or hang a flyer on the wall. Follow up with the businesses several weeks later to check in. Also discuss the possibility about cross referrals with the businesses you visit. Be sure to take these items with you to the "pitch" meeting Business Cards Brochures Flyers Snacks ...

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 PESI Online training many offer unlimited CEUs for a fixed price Webinars National conferences Travel to trainings offered in other cities (tax deduction for private practices)

Offering Telehealth Services

Many private practitioners offer telehealth services to their clients. There are many benefits to offering this service including flexibility of scheduling, availability of therapist and client and portability. There are few things to remember when offering telehealth services: Be sure that the insurance policy will pay for telehealth sessions (as needed) Be sure that the carrier you chose for telehealth is encrypted and will offer a BAA (good options include VSee, and Zoom) Speak in a private area to assist with confidentialty Have clients sign a specific telehealth release

Mental Health Practice Support

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