I’ve talked to so many therapists this month – in my counseling practice and in my consulting practice, too – who are struggling to stand out from their peers in private practice. If you have yet to identify your niche, check out this excellent video below. It’s an advertisement but it’s also a great little “show” of the many ways that you can start to address issues that show up in health care settings.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl2_knlv_xw[/youtube]
If you are practicing at the intersection of health care and mental health, take a minute to tell us where that is and what that’s like for you. Or, if you aren’t quite there yet, but have a unique idea for what that intersection can look like, we want to hear from you, too! Let’s chat!
Tamara, I’m not doing this…I’ve been told that this niche would be too narrow, but because of my own health issues (I broke my neck and have chronic pain and limitations, and I was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and given a year to live in 2006 – thank God for another opinion and a courageous neurosurgeon!), I have been very interested in working with people with chronic pain or medical issues, or even health anxiety. Once in awhile I will see someone with problems with anxiety who have tied it to fears for a loved one’s health or fears about their own symptoms. I think this would be a great niche.
Hi, Linda! Welcome back. Pain management and anxiety management related to health concerns are excellent examples of the intersection of health care and mental health! And, your own experiences on this journey must surely inform your care for your clients! I had no idea that you have faced such challenges. If your practice is not yet as busy with your ideal clients as you would like it to be and you have an interest in working more in this niche, I would encourage you to reconsider the many ways that pain management alone could boost your income. There is a huge need in this area and as our population continues to age, you will find many more needing just those services. Don’t let nay-sayers with anecdotal stories keep you from doing the work you were meant to do!
Thanks, Tamara! I think I need to find out more about how my pain can be managed! Ha. Living in a rather isolated area has been challenging in regard to finding the best care. Let me know if you have any resources you can guide me to. Thanks so much, Tamara!
Linda, I have lived in tiny places isolated in the mountains of North Carolina – where you had to drive almost an hour to find a doctor or dentist and equally far to find enough competition between grocers in order to afford the groceries. I know exactly what you mean.
I will give some thought to resources there and I would also encourage you to consider what resources you might access via the internet. With the U.S. Military continuing to research and use distance counseling, it is only a matter of time until there is pain management online, if not already. That would also allow you to access care around the world. Although the majority of my followers are in the U.S.A., there are also an increasing number who are not. (If anyone out there knows of pain management-related resources that Linda can access, please do reach out!)
Thanks, Tamara! Are you working towards any sot of distance counseling certification? I know it is only a matter of time before insurance companies recognize the need.
I’m not, Linda, but it’s on my to-do list. I’m holding out for an opportunity to train under DeeAnna Nagel. I really love and respect her work. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to make it out of state to any of her trainings yet and she hasn’t been to Colorado. What about you? What are your plans?
I really want to do this too. A lot of my work is coaching, especially with the DBT Skills training, and I’d like to expand that part of my career. I’ll have to look up DeeAnna Nagel. Thanks, Tamara!
Hi, Linda! Here’s a link to DeeAnna’s Online Therapy Institute.
Starting in the healthcare field in the 70’s as a nurse and now working in Mental Health for the past 7 years….I get frustrated that some people have an abundance of healthcare benefits and other folks do “without”.
How we treat our people in a culture says so much about who we are. In our country we spend our money on war and other countries while our own people go without needed operations and the things necessary to sustain health.
Somedays I think about the irony in the fact that I buy my own insurance and do not have a mental health benefit….although I provide mental health services.
Me too, Debera. I provide my own insurance and it is extremely costly. Right now it’s through Cobra, left over from my employment at an agency. When it runs out in February, I will have to “shop” around and I’m sure I will end up with a very high deductible policy. At my age, and with my problems, this is not a good position to be in.
Here’s a link to a post I wrote a good while back on accessing Cobra. Not sure if it’s something that you will need, Linda, but it seems like a good time to remind others that the info is available.
Linda,
Having exhausted a Cobra option years ago I was able to secure insurance through my membership in the Chamber of Commerce. Many times group insurance is one of their benefits. Might be an option for you today. Just a thought!
Delphine, thank you for staying engaged and sharing this as an option. It’s exactly how I got insurance when I first started out – and while the Irving, TX Chamber of Commerce provided health insurance for about $300 / year, I learned that their Women’s Chamber of Commerce could provide it for only $25 / year. Obviously that was 20 years ago but it’s certainly worth checking out some of the local and even national professional associations to see what is available to you.
Hi, Debera! Welcome back! It is frustrating to me, too, that all people do not have health care. I think that the borders of countries are simply man-made artificial boundaries so I don’t get so wound up about whether health care is given here or there; to me, we all deserve a minimum standard of care. The excesses that few enjoy mean that others here and there go without. It does speak volumes about who we value – and it’s not children, old people, or marginalized populations.
I, too, recognize the irony in providing mental health services but not being able to access the same quality and frequency of services that I often recommend. I’ve been there – without health, dental, and mental health benefits. I am fortunate that is not the case now but it was. And, I’ve seen my family struggle to access the same. While this is not a solution for everyone, I want to underscore that for the right mental health professional – those who are to think outside of the box, there is a need for creative problem-solving here . . . and also a multiplicity of opportunities. Business opportunities, policy-making opportunities, and opportunities to engage in health-related activism to expand access to health care abound. Although our professional associations spearhead this work, they need creative and committed members to work on committees, contact legislators, and help make the connections in our own communities that can move this issue forward.
Hey, Debera – just noticed that you don’t have a gravatar set up yet. Here’s a link to show you how to do that (and I promise it’s really easy).
I have also struggled with all that each of you is talking about. Having lived with secondary progressive MS since the 1980’s I have seen and experienced the good, the bad and the inbetween. While I have no crystal ball as to what healthcare will look like in this country in the next few years, I do know that we are becoming sicker as a nation and the work we do will continue to be needed.
When I decided to open a new center, working from a holistic approach was very important to me. We are now 6 practitioners with a mission. We have each began to carve out our own niche and have all agreed that 2 slots will be in our schedules for pro-bono work. Our group currently consists of mental health counselors, a doctor of oriental medicine/acupuncturist, a massage therapist and soon a holistic nutritionist. We will case conceptualize our shared clients, utilize the referrals we are putting together, grow our own individual businesses and that of the center too.
We are inspired that we collectively decided to begin changing our world one client at a time.
Thanks for the video….I think our center will be able to do something similar.
Delphine! I am so glad to have your voice here. It is one that has been missing in our community. I love your vision for your group and that you have paid attention to identifying individual niches within it. The diversity of your group will serve your business and your clients well. Should you have an interest in guest posting here on some aspect related to a group practice, please do reach out to me back channel.
Tamara,
I would be honored too. Once we are settled and all operating under the same roof, I will let you know.
Excellent! Looking forward to hearing back from you on this! It’s been so fun to connect with you here and on the MYOB virtual conference, too, Delphine!
Delphine, here’s a link to a blog post that shows you how to set up a gravatar (that little picture that shows up next to your comments).
Tamara,
Very inspiring. I’ve recently thought about new ideas for marketing, specifically with health care providers. Often I target a specific population, however this is a gentle reminder that my services can be offered in other avenues were individuals are challenged by the same issues. Thanks for the great video! Off to explore some additional ways to market my private practice.
Welcome back, Liz! I’ve missed your voice here! I hope you’ll be back to share whatever it is that you come up with so we can all learn from you!
Hi Tamara,
This video was so very touching to me, and actually brought a tear to my eyes. I’ve lived with type 1 diabetes for most of my life and for a time struggled with anorexia as well. I’ve had too many experiences to count of both being dismissed by physicians and blamed and shamed. My practice is focused on helping people who live with illness and those people struggling with an eating disorder. This experience of not being heard by one’s doctor is all too common. Yet I’m encouraged that this video reflects an awareness and shift in the medical community towards listening in different ways to patients. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Hi, Elizabeth! Welcome to Private Practice from the Inside Out! And, thank you for taking time to share your own journey with the rest of us! You are giving voice to a situation that continues to happen all too often to way too many patients. I know your clients are particularly blessed to have your experience inform the work that you do as you advocate for a different way. I’m glad you found your way here and I hope you will be back often to share your thoughts and concerns as we continue to build strong private practices.