Choosing Office Space

Choosing office space can be both exciting and excruciating. Set a budget and stay within it. You can always upgrade your space later. Think of your audience. If you conduct play therapy you need more floor space. If you provide many group services you need access to room that can accommodate 10 people comfortably. Ideally, you want to create a peaceful environment from the time the clients enter the office. Warm greetings with cold water or hot coffee on a stressful day can go along way with clients. Consider these things when you are selecting office space for lease or purchase:

Amenities such as included internet, printing, faxing, front desk staff, IT support can aide your budget
Parking
Zoning
Accessibility from other areas of town
Use of other rooms in the building including group, kitchens and conference rooms
ADA compliance for clients with mobility challenges
Snow removal and lawn care services
Bus route proximity
Waiting room layout

As you decorate your office be mindful that the small details are important

Furniture selection. Think comfort as well as aesthetics
Buy the good Kleenex
Clean daily and weekly or hire someone to do so
Use plug ins or other deodorizers to keep the office free of odor
Have fidgets available to all clients
Avoid strong fluorescent lighting. Use floor lamps
Keep post it notes on hand for quick resources for clients
Invest in a professional sign
Have beverages such as water, tea and coffee available with creamer and sugar

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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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