The Grow Your Private Practice Show

Did you ever have someone refer to counselling as a ‘chat over a cup of tea’, or ‘just listening to people moaning on’, or even suggesting that you just say ‘how does that make you feel’ over and over’. 

Frustrating, isn’t it. But the problem is, these messages discount the training and skills required to be a therapist and if we keep hearing them, they can have an effect. 

So how can you rise above these dismissive comments? Take a listen and I’ll share 3 things you can do to make a change.

• The mixed messages we receive
• The importance of self-care
• 3 things to try to make change
• The importance of peer support

If you hate wasting time - and I bet you do! - then you’re going to love this podcast as I share the most simple yet highly effective way to achieve more in less time.  

Because you’re busy, I totally get that. However, if you want to attract more therapy clients, you have to do some marketing activities. 

But look, it doesn’t have to take hours and hours. In fact, I see many counsellors taking far too long, possibly overthinking and then getting disillusioned by the whole thing. 

So in this episode, I share with you one of the most simple yet highly effective productivity hacks I know that will help you do far more in less time. I literally use it all the time.

Sounds too good to be true? All I can say is give it a go and let me know how you get on. 

In this episode I share:

• What is Parkinson’s law and how it affects you
• Why counsellors tend to overthink
• How clear goals will save you time
• Why the simple act of setting time boundaries work like magic

So I hope you enjoy my magical way to get more done in less time. 

If you’re a counsellor in private practice, chances are you’ve wrangled with some money issues in your time. And the truth is, this isn’t something you can work on and get rid of because they keep appearing in different ways and under different circumstances.

There is no denying it, issues around money mindset issues can hold you back - in more ways than may first appear. 

So in this episode, I have the fabulous Cathy Towers here for a chat. 

Cathy is a counsellor and psychotherapist, a speaker and workshop facilitator, a DJ and improv leader - so she wears many hats, 

But the hat she’s wearing today is that of a money mentor because Cathy has been working with counsellors on this topic for years. 

So take a listen as we explore the deeper and more complex impact money issues can have both on ourselves, our clients, and our business. 

• The traps we can fall into around money and charging clients
• The importance of valuing ourselves
• The impact of free on the counselling relationship
• The hidden costs of being in private practice

About Cathy Towers

Cathy has been running workshops on Your Relationship with Money and Charging for Time for ten years.  She speaks at the BACP regularly and offers consultation on money issues.

She also jointly runs workshops on Business Therapy, dealing with the challenges, struggles, and sticky issues for private practice creatively by "putting your relationship with your business on the couch".  

After many years of hiding her light, she is now a fierce voice for confidence and communication, with a radio show on Phonic FM called Speaking Out.

Connect with Cathy on LinkedIn - just search Cathy Towers

Cathy's resources:

Blog 'That debate about free sessions'

Calculator for therapists

Jane's blog ‘Should you offer counselling clients a free first session?'

Links to follow

Episode 36: How being a people pleaser can affect your private practice - and what to do about it

Episode 33: What to do if your client didn’t show up for their second therapy session

Episode 32: 5 Easy ways to give back to charity (without reducing your fees or working for free) with Sophia Giblin

Episode 31: Increasing prices the pain-free way

Episode 23: How to avoid the feast and famine cycle in your private practice

If you want to greatly increase your chances of success in private practice then this podcast episode is the one for you.

Because  I share with you my top 10 keys that will lay the foundations for a successful business that works for you and your clients. 

In this podcast episode we explore the importance of:

1. Starting before you're ready
2. Why action is the antidote to fear
3. Managing failure 
4. Understanding your self sabotage
5. Money mindset
6. How there's always going to be something new to learn
7. The benefits of having a niche
8. Networking
9. How you are absolutely good enough
10. Your business, your rules

So, if you're waiting for everything to be perfect or feeling scared about telling a group of people what it is you do then sit back and take note.  This podcast will show you that you have it within you to grow a successful business on your terms.

Links to follow

Episode 53: Why having a niche is essential in 2021

Episode 7: Using introvert superpowers to attract more clients, with Fifi Mason

Having a niche is important when you are a counsellor or therapist because it has a positive impact on you, your income and your clients outcomes - including whether they even contact a counsellor in the first place.  

It’s a topic I have a lot of experience in and I’ve seen just how beneficial it can be.  and something that affects not just us as business owners, but also our clients.

But I know and understand the reasons why we might be fearful of niching down, namely:

• You worry you will push potential clients away, or 
• End up doing the same type of work over and over again

If you feel like that, well you certainly aren’t alone. 

But those fears are unfounded and in this episode, I explain why the absolute opposite is true.

Come and join me in this podcast episode as we explore:

• Why in the modern age, niching is essential to get noticed
• How to stop the scattergun effect of trying to attract everyone
• Why a targeted approach will attract more potential clients
• How having a niche won’t limit the issues that you work with
• How niching helps potential clients take that step into getting the help they need

Links to follow

Refresh Challenge

Starting in private practice can be expensive, but it really doesn’t have to be. In fact, the good news is there are many, many ways to start your private practice branding on a budget. 

I ‘bootstrapped’ my business, and so did Laura Pearman, todays guest expert. And in this podcast we look at how to get started without spending a fortune.

Laura is a brand strategist and international photographer and she knows a thing or two about how to stand out in the crowd in a busy market, and she shares some absolute gems that I know you’re going to love. 

AND Laura has offered listeners a very special opportunity to work with her at a 50% reduction, so to take advantage of that very generous offer, the link is below

In this episode we explore:

• Why you shouldn’t spend a lot on when you’re starting out
• How to make the most professionals services when the time is right
• Starting with a MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
• The importance of a good headshot
• Top tips for taking a stand out selfie
• How to share personal photos on instagram if you don’t like being on camera
• How to choose the right photographer for you

And as an extra special treat, Laura has exclusively offered you a great opportunity that might interest you.  

Laura is a brand strategist and international photographer. She lives in Tyne & Wear with The Viking and Suki the Cat, and lives her life as a modern-day vintage pinup.

She helps ambitious business owners turn up the volume on their businesses with

brand strategy, creative direction and brand photography.

And she is also a passionate feminist.

She is the host of #MwahTV on YouTube

And you can watch her episode ‘How Much Money Should You Spend on Your Brand? Why You Should NEVER Spend Big on Your First Brand’ HERE

Connect with her on Instagram

Check out her website at  www.laurapearman.com

To apply & find out more about her special Branding Offer of 50% off, click here

Do you ever feel that you need a certificate for every counselling subject that comes up and that if you don't, you are somehow failing as a counsellor or letting your clients down?

If so, take a listen because in this podcast I explore the continuous pull for CPD training.

I'll be looking at:

• How the drive to continuously take CPD has been affected during lockdown
• Why it could be problematic
• How it can impact on Imposter Syndrome
• What you can do instead

So if you’re spending every waking minute learning, and are starting to feel confused and overwhelmed then take a listen. 

(And remember, in the Grow Your Private Practice membership, all the training includes a CPD certificate))

Links to follow:

Episode 16: How to silence your inner critic

Episode 19: How to use CPD for personal, professional and business growth, with guest John Wilson

Blog: Shall I get another qualification before starting in private practice?

Can you get therapy clients from social media? It’s a great question and one I see a lot.

So today I’m taking a deep dive into this to talk about how social media helps you attract more counselling clients. 

I’ll be looking at:

• The clients journey into therapy
• The role social media plays
• How you can increase the chances of standing out and connecting with the reader

If you struggle with using social media to attract more clients, then I’ve got your back. In the Grow Your Private Practice membership, you’ll find the Social Media Made Simple course to walk you through the whole thing, as well as lots of resources to make the whole process more straightforward.

Just click the button below to find out more and join. 

Links to follow:

The Refresh 5-Day Challenge

Episode 2: The clients journey into therapy

Episode 8: What is social media engagement, and why you need to know

This week's podcast comes from a question that one of my listeners sent to me:

“Being a younger, newer therapist in private practice, I often worry how my clients will perceive my age and expertise. I have had a few clients switch to older counsellors, though some genuinely like having a younger counsellor who can relate.”

It raises the question of what’s the most important thing to consider when working with a client.  For me it’s all about connection, having a solid therapeutic relationship.

But what if you are very different from your client, how can you make that connection so as not to alienate them? 

Is it important to be similar in some shape or form as your client, perhaps in age, sex, background, and does it matter?

Should you consider your niche to take advantage of your personal attributes, interests and qualities?

There could be a simple answer and it could be waiting for inside this podcast.   

In this episode we explore:

• The importance of having a strong therapeutic relationship with clients 
• Why someone might not connect with you
• How to use anything about you to your advantage in private practice to help your clients

Links to follow

Episode 3: Drop the psychobabble, get more clients

In this week's podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking to Yasmin Shaheen Zaffar, from Redkite Therapy.  Yasmin has a unique approach when it comes to using her creative skills and business mind to help her clients and promote her business brand. 

Learn how Yasmin actively seeks out different channels to raise awareness around the therapy she offers and her business as she strives to take therapy and therapy language and make it more consumer-friendly.

In this episode we explore:

• Overcoming adversity
• The Angry Tent
• Creativity
• Let’s Shop Shouting day 6th November 2021
• How to get into the press
• Crowdfunding

Yasmin is a super hard-working woman who will no doubt inspire you during this podcast.  A valuable listen that will give you new ideas to try in your own business.

Yasmin is an integrative counsellor in private practice. She is the regional Leeds ambassador for The Creative Counsellors Club and is passionate about creative counselling.

She has developed a number of therapy tools including The Angry Tent, The Anxiety Tent, The R.U.D Process, The Empty Chair Cards and online programs including Lets Stop Shouting and SHED Stress. 

She is also the founder of Lets Stop Shouting Awareness day which happens on Saturday November 6th 2021.

She has a free Facebook group called ‘My CC Toolkit’ and shares tips on working safely online and weekly online creative interventions.

To join Yasmins Facebook group, download free resources and find online games please go to the following link https://watotoplay.com/janetravis/

Follow #journorequests for PR opportunities

Support National Let’s Stop Shouting Day using #letsstopshouting21