Ideal Practice

Alright y’all…

It’s time to wrap up the year with a nice little bow, so we can turn our full and focused attention to the next. 

You with me?

Hope so. Because the last thing you want to do is to keep moving forward blindly, reacting to whatever pops up in your practice with no reflection, no strategy, and no clear idea of where in the world you’re going next…

And if you feel like you’ve got way too much on your plate, and no time to plan the way you want to plan - you are in the right place my friend.

Because I’ve got you covered! 

In this week’s episode, I’ll walk you through a simple 5-step process for figuring out exactly where you want to go, so you’ll know what to focus on in the coming weeks and months.

Oh - and be sure to download your copy of “The Busy Person’s Guide to Annual Planning”.  I created this  tool so you’d have a simple way follow this process, and end up with plan you can USE.

My clients love this - and so will you.

Enjoy!

~Wendy 
xoxo

P.S. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute to share your 5 star review and a few words over on Apple Podcasts or even Spotify. If you’ve been meaning to do that, but keep putting it off, how about heading over there now? Thank you!!!

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THIS WEEK’s FREE RESOURCE: 

The Busy Person’s Guide to Annual Planning

Move into the new year with purpose and clarity. With this easy, five step process, you’ll be able to establish a clear foundation and lay out a simple - but doable! - plan for growth next year. 

www.WendyPittsReeves.com/annual

Support the show

Wendy Pitts Reeves, LCSW
Host, Ideal Practice
Private Practice Coach and Mentor

www.WendyPittsReeves.com
[email protected]

Christie Miller, business mentor to health coaches everywhere, has had her share of professional success. But starting her own business was a unique challenge, one that *almost* stopped her.

Until, that is, she became more intentional about her own energy - and began to consciously work with the Law of Attraction.

If you’re one of those who’s a bit skeptical about all of this, you have plenty of company, lol - AND, you should listen anyway. If nothing else, you’ll be entertained! :)

But you’ll also learn.

In this episode, you’ll hear all about:

• 1. Her 4 steps for activating the Law of Attraction
• 2. Why visualization, by itself, is not nearly enough. 
• 3. What happens when we move from the fear side, to the love side, of our business.

And along the way, she’ll tell her crazy car story.
That alone will make this worth your time!

Her whole story is amazing.

And the sheer wisdom she brings to the table is inspiring.

Give it a listen.

~Wendy
xoxo

P.S. “Oh my gosh, I love this Wendy!“ If that’s what you find yourself saying as you listen, would you please share a little love with a 5 star review and a few words over on Apple Podcasts or Spotify?  Just 2 minutes of your time and I promise to love you forever. :)  Thank you!  🙏

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TODAY’S GUEST:  CHRISTIE MILLER

Christie Miller is a fun-loving, action-oriented, business mentor. She helps health and wellness coaches get more online clients so they can have a bigger impact, make more money, and truly enjoy the freedom of running an online business.

Christie has had successful careers as a Financial Analyst, Corporate Attorney, Interior Designer, and an LA County Sheriff before discovering her true passion: coaching. She lives in Southern California with her "72-Hour Blind Date" husband, Mark, and their black Labrador Winnie.
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FIND HER HERE:

The Health Coach’s Club
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehealthcoachesclub/

Coach Christie Miller
https://www.facebook.com/EatTrainWin

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RESOURCES:
Click here to find list of my favorite books
for an abundance mindset, and a well-lived life.

Support the show

Wendy Pitts Reeves, LCSW
Host, Ideal Practice
Private Practice Coach and Mentor

www.WendyPittsReeves.com
[email protected]

Sometimes, a moment arrives when we see ourselves SO clearly that we can no longer avoid the truth.

If we’re lucky, that moment of clarity leads to real growth, and expansion, in all the best ways. And certainly - learning my Enneagram type was that moment for me.

But whoooooboy - it was rough at first.

So - that’s what I decided to share with you today - and,  gosh, I’d love to know if something like this has ever happened to you.

Have you discovered something about yourself that was really upsetting? Only to realize later that it was actually one of your best qualities, in fact, a real strength?

I’d sure love to hear that story. Shoot me a DM or hit reply and share if you would.

ALWAYS love hearing from you guys.

~Wendy
xoxo

P.S. If you can relate to the story I shared in this episode, and you enjoyed it, please take a moment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to give us your two cents. A five star review and a few words from you are pure gold to me. And thank you!

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MENTIONED: 

- The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Riso and Hudson
- The Essential Enneagram by Daniels and Price
- Episode 33: Why Understanding the Enneagram Will Make You a Better Therapist: An Interview with Elaine Bailey

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MIND OVER MONEY©   

Click the link below to gain access to this fun, practical and life-changing program. As soon as you sign up, you’ll be welcomed into this popular course on how to shift your mindset when it comes to wealth and abundance in your private practice. In just 10 minutes a day, for 31 days - your whole outlook can change. (And so can your income!)

YES, PLEASE! >> https://www.wendypittsreeves.com/mind

Support the show

Wendy Pitts Reeves, LCSW
Host, Ideal Practice
Private Practice Coach and Mentor

www.WendyPittsReeves.com
[email protected]

Understanding the Enneagram has been a game changer for me .

Not only do I catch myself in patterns all the time, I see them in my clients - and now - I know how to help them see it too.

Once we understand those patterns, we can choose how and when to let them help us in our lives. For example, figuring out that I was a 9 with a 1 wing has been both frustrating - and freeing - because I can see when that works for me, and when it doesn’t.

The same thing goes for my clients.

In this interview, my friend, former coach, and Enneagram expert Elaine Bailey Anderson introduces us to all 9 types. We’ll cover key characteristics of each dominant type, as well as the challenges they bring.

We’ll also cover a few examples of what this might look like for our clients when we work with them, and how it could look for us as business owners.

Are you familiar with the Enneagram? If not, you'll love this introduction to the tool - which I use every single day.

Which type feels like you?

~Wendy
xoxo

P.S. Did you miss me? :)

Hope so! If you’re glad I’m back, please take a minute to share your 5 star review and your favorite episode over on Apple Podcasts or even Spotify.

And if you're not, never mind!  :)

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ABOUT TODAY’S GUEST:  Elaine Bailey Anderson of CoachBrilliant

Elaine empowers coaches to create impactful results for their clients and a more rewarding coaching practice. Her rare blend of academia and in-the-trenches coaching sets her apart from most coaches who coach. She’s walked her talk and has helped hundreds of other coaches fully develop their potential, live bigger lives, and have more impact and income.

As a professional Leadership Development Consultant, Elaine created and designed programs in leadership, coaching, and behavioral skills, delivering to Fortune 500 companies and small businesses around the world, working with thousands of executives, managers, and leaders.

After decades of coaching executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs and then training hundreds of coaches starting their own practices, there is one remarkable thing she discovered. It is the key to being a truly effective, impactful coach.

And that is this.

Your number one results strategy is to know yourself. She provides a proven system that has helped over 1,000 coaches across the US, and Europe do that while building successful and rewarding coaching practices.

If you’re interested in learning more about each of the types and how to work with them, grab her free resource below.

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RESOURCES:

• Website: https://coachbrilliant.com/
• Certification Course: https://coachbrilliant.com/the-enneagram-and-the-coach/
• Elaine’s Free Coaching Guide for Each Personality Type:  9stylescoaching.com

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Time Stamps in Chapter Notes Below...

Support the show

Wendy Pitts Reeves, LCSW
Host, Ideal Practice
Private Practice Coach and Mentor

www.WendyPittsReeves.com
[email protected]

Could you use a few more referrals for your private practice? 

Or maybe just more of the right kind of referrals? 

Then you’re going to love today’s episode.

If your practice is up, open and ready to go — all you need is for the phone to ring with referrals for clients you can’t wait to serve. 

But how do you make that happen? 

Turns out, it’s easier than you think. 

All you really need are a few solid relationships with what I call the Fab Five of referral sources - 5 key people in your town who know you, like you, and trust you. 

Often, they’re people who are actually grateful just to know about your work, because they’ve needed to know someone with exactly your skillset for a long time. Once they understand what you do, and how you help, they’ll be sending people to you left and right.

There’s just one caveat.

These have to be real relationships, my friend. You know - with real people, built over time. :) 

Lucky for you, that’s easy. You get people. You read people. You know how to connect with people. And that skill, which you were born with, comes in handy here. 

The key is making sure you’re connecting strategically with the right people — those who will be sending clients your way. So in today’s episode, I’ll tell you who those people are, why you need them, and how knowing them can help you fill your practice - fast.

Check it out.  :)

And then here’s a little homework.  

As soon as you finish listening to this episode - make a list of who these people are in your life. Think about the steps you could take to strengthen your relationship with each, particularly in regards to your work. Then take out your calendar and make an appointment with yourself to take action on those steps.

Your future clients (and your bank account) will appreciate it! 

~Wendy
xoxo

P.S. I’m taking a short break from the podcast for a few weeks, but I’ll be back with a whole series of brand new interviews and inspiration soon after Thanksgiving. In the mean time, if you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute to share your 5 star review and a few words over on Apple Podcasts or even Spotify. If you’ve been meaning to do that, but keep putting it off, how about heading over there now? Your reviews help boost the podcast - which makes me happy!

Even better? Send me a screen shot so we can celebrate together! :)

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COACHING

Got a problem in your practice that you’re trying to solve? Have an idea you want to try but don't know where to start? A Quick Start Consult gives you access to high quality coaching without the expense of a full blown coaching commitment. I'm serious about your success - so we don't just talk about your business. We work on it - together. Click here for details.

Support the show

Wendy Pitts Reeves, LCSW
Host, Ideal Practice
Private Practice Coach and Mentor

www.WendyPittsReeves.com
[email protected]

As I write this, I’m in the middle of a work/travel adventure.

For a few weeks now, Anne and I have been on the road, exploring parks and trails and small towns and historic treasures up and down the east coast. Along the way, she’s continuing her consulting work with corporate clients on climate change, while I continue my counseling and coaching work with clients at home and elsewhere.

To make the trip even better, we are also claiming a full two week space in the middle where no one works. :)

Not a bad way to enjoy the fall season, don’t you think?

When your practice is based on dollars per hours, or income per appointment, taking breaks like this can feel risky. Whether it’s a full on vacation, or just a simple lunch hour, you could ALWAYS be seeing more people, filling more hours, and making more money.

But I’m guessing that one of the reasons you started a business to begin with was so that you had control over your time, and the freedom to TAKE time when you wanted to.

Are you doing that? Because I’m worried that you’re not.

I’ve thought about you all a lot on this trip, about how hard you work, and how rarely you let yourself take any time off.

So I’d like to share this encore episode with you, where we talked about the importance of pacing yourself throughout your day… starting with something as surprisingly simple…as a lunch break.

Got an hour free in the middle of your day today?

Listen to this podcast, which gives you plenty of time to have a bite, catch your breath, maybe take a quick walk or a big stretch, and THEN settle back in to an afternoon of business building, client serving, impact making.

Your clients need you to show up rested.
So take a break - ok? :)

~Wendy
   xoxo

P.S. “Okay Wendy - you’re making me think…“

If that’s what you find yourself saying as you listen, would you please share a little love with a 5 star review and a few words over on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? This link will help. Thank you!    https://lovethepodcast.com/idealpractice

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FREE RESOURCE:  Are you cramming client hours into a packed day? Working hard but feel like you're still not making any money? With decades of experience, I’ve found a LOT of ways to boost your bottom line, and I’ve pulled some of my favorites together into a free guide for you. Get yours today, see what’s inside, then tell me which one you’ll try first. :)

Get your free copy here. >>> 31 Practical Ways to Increase Cash Flow In Your Private Practice

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COACHING: Got a problem in your practice that you’re trying to solve? Have an idea you want to try but don't know where to start? A Quick Start Consult gives you access to high quality coaching without the expense of a full blown coaching commitment. Click here for details. 

Support the show

Wendy Pitts Reeves, LCSW
Host, Ideal Practice
Private Practice Coach and Mentor

www.WendyPittsReeves.com
[email protected]

Kym Tolson didn’t really pay much attention to her insurance billing service - until the day she discovered she’d lost thousands of dollars through their mistakes. 

Then - when she questioned their work - they fired her as a client! 

As crazy as that was, it turned out to be, as we here in the South would say, a blessing in disguise. Because, after a moment of panic, she rallied - big time. She dove in deep and learned everything she needed to know in order to process claims herself. She took full control of the billing in her counseling practice, and she never looked back.

Then, knowing that many of her colleagues were in the same shape she was, she created a course to teach them how to do the same.

I have to admit, I wasn’t that surprised at her story. I myself went through no less than 7 different bulling companies or services back when I had an insurance based practice. All of them, eventually, turned out to have problems one way or another, and I lost a lot of money. 

I sure wish someone like Kym had been around back then…

Today, she has no less than 8 streams of income, has discovered financial freedom, and is living the life she really wants to live.

Even if insurance isn’t a thing in your practice, this conversation will inspire you. 

Give it a listen. 

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TODAY’S GUEST:  KYM TOLSON, LCSW

Kym, who is licensed in Virginia, has an online insurance-based therapy practice, and travels full time as a digital nomad. After learning the hard way that she needed to pay closer attention to the billing side of her practice, she dove in to learn all she could about insurance billing herself. 

Today, she guides therapists on a path of empowerment, helping them understand insurance billing through her course, "DIY Insurance Billing for Private Practice” and her Facebook community, “Bill Like a Boss” for therapists who bill insurance in their private practice. 

She’s also known as the Traveling Therapist - but we’ll save THAT story, for later! 

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MENTIONED: 

• Kym's insurance billing course: DIY Insurance Billing for Private Practice
• Her website: thetravelingtherapist.com/

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MY COACHING: 

Got a problem in your practice that you’re trying to solve? Have an idea you want to try but don't know where to start? A Quick Start Consult gives you access to high quality coaching without the expense of a full blown coaching commitment. I'm serious about your success - so we don't just talk about your business. We work on it - together.

Click here for details: https://www.wendypittsreeves.com/consult.

Support the show

Wendy Pitts Reeves, LCSW
Host, Ideal Practice
Private Practice Coach and Mentor

www.WendyPittsReeves.com
[email protected]

“Do you take my insurance?”

If the answer is yes, that’s an easy question to handle. But if you don’t (or can’t) accept insurance reimbursement in your practice, you may not know quite how to handle it.

After you hear this episode, though, that will never be a problem for you again - because I’m going to teach you exactly what to do.

Annnnd - what NOT to do, too.

Remember this acronym: S.O.S., and then:

• Stand in your value. 
• Own your offer.
• And center on Service.

In our conversation today, you’ll learn more about what each of those really means, and you’ll hear several examples of EXACTLY what to say in a variety of scenarios.

ALSO!

Did I mention that there’s a free download this time? See the link below to get your copy of a free script that will help you nail this question for good.

Enjoy!

~Wendy
xoxo

P.S. If you enjoyed this episode as much as I hope you did, please take a minute to share your 5 star review and a few words over on Apple Podcasts or even Spotify. If you’ve been meaning to do that, but keep putting it off, how about heading over there now?

(And hey - send me a screen shot so we can celebrate!)

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FREE DOWNLOAD! 👇

As promised, this super handy template or script will help you craft your own answer to the insurance question, so that the NEXT time you get asked that question, you’ll be prepared - because you’ll know exactly what to say.

Click on the link to get your copy. >>  www.wendypittsreeves.com/awkward.

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MENTIONED: 💁‍♀️

Episode 9: How to Think Like a Marketer (and Get More of the Kind of Clients You Serve Best)
Episode 18: Why I Stopped Doing Free Consultations (And what works oh-so-much-better.)
Episode 23: How to Prevent Burnout: 7 Strategies for Coping with Too Many Referrals

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AN INVITATION:

MIND OVER MONEY©

Click the link below to get into this fun, practical and life-changing program. As soon as you sign up, you’ll immediately et access into this popular course on how to shift your mindset when it comes to wealth and abundance in your private practice. In just 10 minutes a day, for 31 days - your whole outlook can change. (And so can your bank account!)

YES, PLEASE! >> https://www.wendypittsreeves.com/mind

Support the show

Wendy Pitts Reeves, LCSW
Host, Ideal Practice
Private Practice Coach and Mentor

www.WendyPittsReeves.com
[email protected]

Have you ever had a customer service experience that was so bad it was almost funny? (I said almost.)

Just realized as I write this that I could spend an entire hour just talking about cable companies…. but that’s actually not the focus today. :)

Instead, we’re taking a look at how our own clients or potential clients might experience their version of ‘bad customer service’ when working with us, even though you and I both know that’s the last thing we would ever want.

It’s kind of tricky, but turns out there are at least 5 areas - and probably more - where it wouldn’t be hard for a client to have a frustrating experience - with us. 

We’ll cover those 5 areas in today’s episode, and I’ll share an idea for something you could do to avoid those mistakes in your business.

And let me know if you find yourself thinking of ways you could make things SO much easier for your clients. 

~Wendy
   xoxo

P.S. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute to share your 5 star review and a few words over on Apple Podcasts or even Spotify.  If you’ve been meaning to do that but keep putting it off, how about heading over there now?  I promise I'll love you forever!  :))

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THIS WEEK’S EXERCISE:

Craft a simple, one page survey that asks your clients a single question for each of the 5 areas covered in the podcast. Issue that survey to all of your active clients at least once or twice a year, and use the feedback to catch problems before they occur. 

You can also use this to identify even small ways that you can make their experience even better.

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INVITATION:

Got a problem in your practice that you’re trying to solve? Have an idea you want to try but don't know where to start? A Quick Start Consult gives you access to high quality coaching without the expense of a full blown coaching commitment. I'm serious about your success - so we don't just talk about your business. We work on it - together. Click here for details.

QUICK START CONSULT
https://www.wendypittsreeves.com/consult

Support the show

Wendy Pitts Reeves, LCSW
Host, Ideal Practice
Private Practice Coach and Mentor

www.WendyPittsReeves.com
[email protected]

In today’s episode, we get to meet Melanie McGhee, LCSW, the founder and visionary behind a powerful new treatment methodology that’s breaking new ground in the world of mental health - and beyond. 

In my own counseling practice, I find myself referring clients to trained AAIT practitioners more and more often - because the work is profoundly effective.

Acceptance and Integration Training (“AAIT”) changes lives in minutes - not months, or years - and makes healing accessible in truly remarkable new ways.

In today’s episode, you’ll learn:

• what a typical 5-stage AAIT session looks like and how the process works.
• how clients find immediate relief from emotionally charged experiences and thought patterns.
• why this has been an especially big hit among children and teens.
• how AAIT is being used in countless applications beyond the traditional counseling office.
• where you can access a free and easy way to experience it yourself, for your own self care.

You’ll also hear Melanie introduce the Alliance for Integrated Awareness (“AIA”), a new non-profit whose mission is to foster emotional wellbeing in at-risk communities through service, outcome research and certification of practitioners in AAIT. 

Be sure and check out the links below for more information.

This is a cutting edge conversation that I think you will find fascinating. 

Enjoy! 

~Wendy
   xoxo

P.S. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute to share your 5 star review and a few words over on Apple Podcasts or even Spotify. If you’ve been meaning to do that, but keep putting it off, how about heading over there now? Then send me a screen shot so we can celebrate together! :) 

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TODAY’s GUEST: MELANIE McGHEE, LCSW

Melanie McGhee, L.C.S.W., is an award-winning author, teacher, and psychotherapist with extensive experience. After more than three decades of practicing and study, she developed Acceptance and Integration Training® (AAIT™). This promising approach   rapidly resolves reactivity and uncloaks the true self. The resulting resilience and wellbeing are fulfilling for therapists and clients alike. In addition to training and mentoring psychotherapists, Melanie maintains a small private practice serving healing arts professionals in East Tennessee. 

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MENTIONED: 

• Acceptance and Integration Training (“AAIT”):  https://aait.solutions/
• The Self Care Sanctuary:  https://aait.solutions/aait-self-care-sanctuary/
• The Alliance for Integrated Awareness (“AIA”):  https://www.aaitaia.org/

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NEED HELP?

Got a problem in your practice that you’re trying to solve? Have an idea you want to try but don't know where to start? A Quick Start Consult gives you access to high quality coaching without the expense of a full blown coaching commitment. I'm serious about your success - so we don't just talk about your business. We work on it - together. Click below for details.

QUICK START CONSULT
https://www.wendypittsreeves.com/consult

Support the show

Wendy Pitts Reeves, LCSW
Host, Ideal Practice
Private Practice Coach and Mentor

www.WendyPittsReeves.com
[email protected]