WP 45 | Onboarding New Therapists to Your Group Practice: Tips and Strategies

Whether you're a seasoned practice owner with a growing team of therapists or a newcomer to the world of private practice, onboarding new therapists is a crucial process that sets the stage for success. In this blog post, we'll explore valuable insights shared by Nathan Hawkins and Aaron Potratz from their experience in group practice and their podcast, "Shrink Think," on the Wise Practice Podcast.

About Aaron

Aaron is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Supervisor in Oregon, the owner of Discover Counseling, and the co-owner of Life Discovery Counseling Services.

He maintains his own client caseload while managing his group practices and supervising his counseling staff. Aaron is also a private practice consultant and co-hosts the Shrink Think Podcast with Nathan Hawkins.

About Nathan

Nathan is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Supervisor in Oregon. He’s the owner of Life Encounter Counseling and co-owner of Life Discovery Counseling Services - a multi-site group practice. Nathan maintains his own client caseload while managing and supervising his counseling staff, and still finds time to teach on occasion as an adjunct professor at Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon.

Why Onboarding Matters 

Onboarding therapists isn't just about paperwork and administrative tasks. It's an opportunity to ensure a smooth transition for new therapists and to align them with your practice's values and culture. As Nathan and Aaron highlight, therapists often come from various backgrounds, including community mental health or agency settings, and may be unfamiliar with the intricacies of private practice. 

Key Considerations During Onboarding

• Differentiating Between Employee and Contractor Models: Clarify the distinctions between employee (W-2) and contractor (1099) models. This includes understanding how taxes, benefits, and responsibilities differ for each category. Communicate this information clearly to new therapists to set expectations from the start.

• Understanding the Private Practice Landscape: New therapists may be accustomed to the environment of agency work or community mental health. Introduce them to the unique aspects of private practice, including variations in client populations, paperwork requirements, and billing procedures.

• Navigating Cash Pay and Insurance-Based Models: Explain the differences between cash pay and insurance-based practices. Ensure that therapists are well-informed about client payments, copays, insurance deductibles, and how to handle financial discussions professionally.

• Client-Centered Onboarding: Equip therapists with essential skills to provide outstanding customer service to clients. This includes screening potential clients, scheduling, handling first sessions, effective communication, and maintaining appropriate documentation.

• Imposter Syndrome and Provisional Licensure: Address challenges that provisionally licensed therapists might face, such as imposter syndrome and navigating the journey to full licensure. Encourage open conversations and provide support as they build their careers.

• Building a Strong Practice Community: Emphasize the importance of therapists aligning with the practice's values and brand. This involves educating them on the practice's mission, policies, and expectations for maintaining a positive working environment.

• Departure and Transition: Even when therapists leave the practice, the onboarding process continues. Inform therapists about what to expect when leaving the practice and how to handle transitions professionally, including clients, documentation, and ethical considerations.

Streamlining the Onboarding Process

Nathan and Aaron's podcast, "Shrink Think," offers an online platform called "Shrink Think Product" that provides digital resources for effective therapist onboarding. This platform offers video modules covering the essential topics and challenges discussed above. By utilizing these resources, practice owners can save time, ensure consistent training, and foster a knowledgeable team of therapists.

Conclusion

Onboarding new therapists to your group practice is an opportunity to set clear expectations, foster a positive work environment, and equip therapists with the knowledge they need to thrive. By addressing key considerations and leveraging resources like the "Shrink Think Product," practice owners can streamline the onboarding process and create a foundation for successful and sustainable growth.

Remember, each therapist brings a unique perspective and set of experiences, making open communication and ongoing support essential components of the onboarding journey.

Show Sponsors

• Check the podcasts on the PsychCraft Network: PsychCraftnetwork.com 

• Shrink Think - Digital Resources to Build Effective client-therapist relationships

Links and Resources Mentioned:

• Wise Practice Summit

• Whitney Ownes on Instagram

• Shrink Think on Instagram: @shrink.think

• Shrink Think on Facebook:  @shrinkthink

Podcast Production and Show Notes by Course Creation Studio