During the pandemic, most of us started conducting psychotherapy sessions through 100% Telehealth. "The Therapist In The Attic," Leah Leynor joins the show to talk about her transition from her thriving private psychotherapy practice office to the attic. Plus, Leah speaks about her consulting work and what private practice owners are struggling with today as the pandemic winds down. Later, we talk all about becoming an insurance-based practice and what sorts of things you need to consider before accepting insurance. Tune in as we chat about diversifying your income, negotiating rates with insurance companies, and marketing your private practice.

Meet Leah Leynor

Leah Leynor provides a variety of counseling services to families and individual children, teens, and adults in Cary, North Carolina. She holds a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pfeiffer University, a massage therapy diploma from the American and European Massage Clinic, and a Bachelor's degree in political science from Rider University. She is a certified hypnotherapist with specialized training in trauma counseling and family systems. She is a proud member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and the North Carolina Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (NCAMFT).

The Therapist In The Attic

During the pandemic, Leah ultimately moved her practice from in-person to her attic. The attic was the perfect place for privacy and for consulting with clients. Whenever Leah called herself the therapist in the attic, people would laugh. For Leah, the attic was a way to connect with others in complex, uncertain, and stressful times. Plus, when you think about it, we are all somewhat "stuck in the attic." Leah hopes to relate to the varied experiences many of us have been experiencing in these uncertain times.

What Private Practice Owners Are Struggling With Today

Most private practice owners have a high level of anxiety because of the pandemic. Many people question if private practice is the right move for them or if they need to start changing their business plans. Plus, they have anxiety around dealing with stressed-out clients while managing their businesses' administrative side. On top of private practice responsibilities, many owners are looking after their children participating in online classes. Finally, people are considering if life will go back to the way it was or adjust to a new normal.

Becoming An Insurance-Based Practice

When thinking about becoming an insurance-based practice, there are a few questions you should ask yourself first.

- What brought you to this decision?

- Where do you see your practice going?

- What would you like to see in your practice?

You don't have as much control over your fees with insurance-based practices because the insurance companies determine it. So, you need to set your expectations accordingly. You can't just ask the insurance company to change your prices. Plus, you'll want to consider how your marketing and website efforts are going. You'll need to ensure the right people see your advertising when using insurance panels.

Negotiating A Higher Fee From An Insurance Company

Negotiating a higher fee will depend on the insurance company. Sometimes, you have to put the negotiation in writing. The insurance company may ask what your proposed rate would be. Other times, you need to find the contract negotiator representative and call them directly. Then, you can start the negotiation process. You have to find out what the process is for the specific insurance company. If the insurance company is not taking negotiations, then you should figure out why. The best time to negotiate is a couple of months before recredentialing.

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