Every Therapist Has One
In the mental health profession, having a favorite client is like having a favorite child. Every therapist (and every parent) has one but we think we aren’t suppose to tell. In fact . . . , has anyone ever talked to you before about their favorite clients?
And Here’s Why You Should Tell
I have favorite clients. And, if you tell the truth, you have favorite clients, too. Right? Here’s the beauty of telling that truth . . . . When referral sources know who you like to work with, that’s exactly who they will refer to you. And, when clients know who you like to work with, your favorite’s are the ones who will seek you out.
Are You My Favorite Client?
My favorite clients are. . .
- Resilient and open to new ideas;
- Courageous and willing to face their fears;
- Willing to experiment with life and able to adapt the things we talk about to fit their lives;
- Interested in helping other people and are involved in efforts to do just that;
- Recognize that their relationships with me are valuable;
- Naturally collaborative and focus on possibilities;
- Naturally optimistic;
- Really get the 90 / 10 law i.e. 90% of my value to you will be outside of the time we spend together; and,
- Enthusiastically tell others about our work together.
If you aren’t telling your clients and referral sources who your favorite clients are, you are preventing the right clients from getting to you. If you don’t know who they are, then take some time to figure it out . . . or, if would like to be one of my favorite clients, then drop me an email or give me a call. I’ll be glad to help you figure out who you love, love, LOVE to work with, how to let them know, and how to help them find you!
New fabulous and favorite clients are always welcome!
(And, here’s how I let them know on my counseling website.)
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Tamara,
As intern I noticed I looked forward to certain clients coming in for their appointments. They really work hard in session and continue the work outside of the therapy hour. I can say the results nourished the client as well as me.
I have started my own private practice this month at People House in Denver. I am looking forward to attracting clients who are dedicated to their own growth.
Brenda
Brenda!!!!! How exciting for you! That means that you’ve finished school at Regis? I’m eager to learn more about your practice and what challenges you are running into! Thanks for dropping in today and touching base. It had been a while since I had heard from you and I had wondered what happened to you.
My experience and observations tell me that it takes 3 years (after licensing) to arrive at the dream practice “state”. And after 3 years, you will probably still be marketing and networking in some form.
Networking and marketing take many forms: It may be updating your website or speaking before groups, continuing your education by attending and participating in seminars and meetings, starting your own monthly peer support group, blog, webinar class, or writing for a local rag, just to name a few.
It is also important to have enough money in the bank (so to speak) or set aside and earmarked specifically for the business, so you can enjoy the journey without the constant worry about paying bills. Bottom line—building any business takes time, energy, faith, discipline, and money.
Kristene Elmore, LPC
Brighton, CO 80601
303-659-6743
I help individuals create deliberate, effective and lasting change.
Kristene! Welcome back! It’s been a while since I’ve seen your voice here. Thanks so much for offering the voice of someone who has been around for a while in the field! You are so right. In fact, when I worked in a for-profit psych hospital back in the ’90’s, they taught us that not only will you always need to market (to fill the beds) but you’ll also need to market harder and more often when the beds are full. That little lesson has certainly paid off for me over the years. I’ve learned to never slack off on my marketing . . . and it’s a lot easier to stay motivated during the times of feast than it is to stay motivated during the times of famine!
I so appreciate your truthful voice of reason! I talk to therapists every week who are upset because they’ve got their degree and even their license and it’s been “a whole year” and they aren’t as busy as they would like to be. Building a business is about planting seeds, weeding, and tending the crops. Hanging out the shingle and waiting for the masses to come just isn’t going to be enough to develop a thriving private practice . . . but with some basic marketing savvy and knowing how to close a sale, you’ll be just fine!