Good morning! I was making my way through my email inbox yesterday when I ran across an interesting email exchange on one of the online discussion lists that I belong to.
A therapist had posted a request asking for the name of other therapists who work with relationship issues to possibly refer a client to and this is what my colleague, Christine Allison, MA, NCC wrote back on the list . . . .
I am in the same building as Dee [another mental health professional], in Northwest Denver, easily accessible from Arvada. Dee is FABULOUS and very experienced, and I definitely recommend her. That said, I am fabulous in my own way, and I would be willing to see this individual on a sliding scale . 🙂 [my own emphasis] I really enjoy working with clients on relationship and communication issues. Feel free to give her my phone # below.”
Now here’s why Christine’s post caught my eye . . . . Dee Marcotte, MS, MA, LPC is a seasoned counselor in Denver, Colorado who has the reputation of being a wise mentor to many new therapists in the area. Christine and Dee office in the same building and I suspect Dee has been a mentor to Christine, too. So here’s the smart and savvy part – Christine took time in a very public way to generously tip her hat to her mentor and then she also took the opportunity to enthusiastically throw her own name out as a possible resource, too! Nice job, Christine!
In giving a nod to another mental health professional, Christine is
- acknowledging the contributions of this more-experienced counselor who has paved the way for new ones,
- saying “thank you” to a mentor,
- giving the appearance that she “plays fair” in this world of marketing and mental health, and
- appears generous (and not desperate).
By tossing her own name into the list of possibilities alongside Dee’s name, Christine is also
- benefiting from the strong reputation that her mentor has built simply by being associated with her.
- declaring that she, too, has something of value to offer clients and colleagues, and
- distinguishing herself from Dee by highlighting her own willingness to reduce her fees.
So, what’s the take away for you? Find a colleague or organization that you can associate yourself with and then . . . TOOT THEIR HORN and YOURS, TOO!
Tamara,
To add more to your mention of Christine Allison, She is a colleague of mine and we conduct workshops together. In addition to being generous, she is fair and posses a high level of integrity. I love working with her. She is a joy to work with.
Also, both Christine and I have the good fortune of leasing offices in the same building that Dee Marcotte has her practice. I can say, Dee offers her support to many new professional who office at People House.
The community of professionals at People House is a culture of support and growth. Hence, as a counselor in private practice, the isolation often experienced as a sole proprietor is greatly diminished.
Warmly, Brenda
Brenda, how kind of you to sing your colleagues’ praises! And, I love the concept of People House! I wonder how many other states have this type of cooperative space for mental health and allied health professionals? It’s really one of the treasures in Denver!
Tamara,
Thanks for writing such a nice blog post about Dee and me! 🙂
-Christine Allison, MA, NCC
Thanks for setting such a colleagial generous example for the rest of us!
love this post. EVERYONE can learn something from your blog. missed you at the latest blogettes. hope all is well.
my blogging is getting a bit more regular, but nothing like you. you are the goddess! hee hee.
Dana, you are so kind to say so! I’m in New Orleans right now for the American Counseling Association’s conference. Will be back to the next Blogettes meeting and looking forward to seeing you. Thanks for dropping in . . . . And, for those of you looking for a professional photo to use on your website, don’t forget to check out Dana Rogers Photography. It’s really not the typical boring headshot!