Running your own business requires patience and persistence but not only that, it requires you to be great at time management and prioritization. Chances are, if you are beginning your practice you already have other means for income in another job or career. You may also be juggling family and caregiver issues. Learning how to be effective at prioritizing and time management will give you the skills to become a great therapist without you losing your cool or experiencing burnout. It is important to note that you need to establish limits and boundaries for yourself. Failure to acknowledge this can lead to high expectations and perfectionism with resultant burnout. Let’s face it, you cannot be in all places and do everything at any given time. You should give the most time to the most pressing of issues and realize that you are human. For example, I may prioritize attending a workshop over researching for my next website blog post. I have to admit, I wasn’t always the best at time management. You would think as a registered nurse I had mastered time management…but this didn’t translate to counselling in the beginning for me. I sometimes got overwhelmed with the amount of things I needed to do to market myself or expand in my practice and expertise. That’s when I started to turn towards a to-do list. I’m not a to-do list type of person in my personal life but I have used one frequently for my practice. Checking off items on my to-do list gave me a great sense of accomplishment. My to-do list is always full as I am ambitious; however, I have realized the need to put self-care first so I don’t burnout as a counsellor. I don’t berate myself if I don’t meet a deadline I’ve set for myself as tomorrow is another day. You may even use your calendar or agenda to map out some key items you’d like to accomplish that day.  Another great tip is to have an effective work space in order to accomplish more. I personally use my office more as it forces me to work; whereas my home office is subject to distractions. Your ability to block out or limit distractions is essential to getting more work done. You may find it beneficial to turn off your phone and make specific time allotments to work on your career development. Give yourself more time to work on higher priorities. Time management also translates to the counselling sessions themselves. It is important that you have some time between clients, especially if some cases are emotionally draining. Having at least 10 minutes between clients allows you to prepare for the next client.

If you are still struggling with time management, I suggest seeking online resources and/or books to assist you. Remember not to overextend yourself. You need to take care of yourself so that you can effectively counsel your clients.

Andrea Cashman is a private practice counsellor who has founded Holistic Counselling Services for individual clients seeking therapy in Ottawa, ON. She also practices at the Ottawa Hospital as a registered nurse. Feel free to comment below or contact her at [email protected] or visit her website at www.holisticcounsellingservices.ca

The first part of this topic introduced the concept of stabilization as it relates to office space, and looked at how light and natural elements can be used as a therapeutic tool.  This post will discuss how sounds contributes to a  stabilized environment.

Sound

Depending on your office set-up, you may need more sound buffers than others.  If you share a space with other professionals and are close to a waiting/reception area, you will want to create a soundscape that allows your sessions to not be overheard as well as preventing outside noise from disrupting you and your clients.  Both scenarios prevent stabilization.

Music

Music playing in the waiting area can do wonders to cut back on sound pollution.  Keep in mind the environment you wish to create when choosing the tunes.  Most likely, heavy rock will not be appropriate (but you never know!).  Jazz, spa/nature sounds, classical music, instrumental versions of popular songs are popular waiting area soundtracks that may work for you and your space.

I also like to have natural sound CDs playing on low in my therapy room.  Not only does it help buffer sound, I find it really creates a calmer atmosphere in my office, setting the tone for sessions.  Currently, rain sounds are my personal favourite.

Water Features

Outside my office, there is a water fountain hanging on the wall.  This creates a solid sounding babble, which adds to the soundscape I strive to create.  Not only is it practical—the fountain acts as a sound barrier, it is soothing.  A word of advice: if you are putting a fountain in your office, go for one designed for interior spaces.  The one outside my office is meant for gardens and, therefore, was too loud (the opposite of being stabilizing!) in my therapy room.

White Noise Machines

This is one piece of equipment I currently do not have, although one is on order.  You can buy a machine that only offers white noise, or a go for a model with other options as well (such as rainforest sounds, waves, et cetera).  I lean towards the models with more options.  As well as acting as a sound buffer, white noise machines can be incredibly soothing!

This concludes the posts on stabilization in therapy, and how the space in which we conduct sessions is a vital tool.  If you have questions or comments, I would love to hear from you!  Email me at [email protected] and we can chat more!

Being a child therapist comes with a lot of stuff: art supplies, toys, sand and water tables are common tools of the trade.  As with any tools, they can get pricey.  While I would love to have tons of fantasy figurines, artisan puppets, and professional-grade art supplies, these are not in the budget.  However, with a bit of creativity and some effort, child therapists can have an office brimming with these tools at a reasonable cost.

Plan Out Your Space:

This means, before buying supplies and toys, pause and think, “What do I need and what do I have room for?” You may be surprised at how much stuff you can pass on.  What are the bare bones you need for your work?  Go with that and build up.  In my practice, the essentials are: a dollhouse and dolls/figurines, miniature vehicles, a selection of stuffed animals (which can double as puppets), play-doh and clay, paint and paint brushes, baby dolls, some building toys (like lego), and a sand table.  Everything else, though wonderful, is the icing on the cake.  Keep in mind also what your space can actually hold.  I have passed some excellent deals because I simply have no room.

Dollar Stores, DIY and Second Hand (Or, Even Better…Free!)

Guess what? Your dollhouse doesn’t have to be a deluxe model with multiple rooms.  A simple one from a dollar store will do nicely.  You could always make one from old boxes or bookcases that you have lying around, saving money and reusing! On the topic of DIY, if you don’t feel comfortable tackling a project ask around for help.  My dad’s friend teaches a carpentry class and as a project, they made my sand tray: complete with lid and rolling table (with storage!) A few gift certificates as a thank you were much more economical than buying it new.

Thrift stores, yard sales, and kijiji are treasure troves for supplies.  A two-dollar palette of watercolours will work just as well in a session as a twelve dollar one, while some elbow grease and cleaner makes used items sparkly again (I highly recommend magic erasers).  Additionally, a trip through the washer and dryer helps restore second hand stuffed toys to their former glory.

The best price is most definitely free! It also doesn’t hurt to tell friends and family you are on the look out for certain items, maybe they (or someone they know) are purging old toys, etc.  Look around you for supplies in the recycling bin and in nature.  Beach comb some seashells and rocks for your sand tray—it won’t cost you a dime and you’ll likely have fun doing it.

So You Don’t Have “It All”…Don’t Stress!

You know what the amazing thing about working with kids is?  They are, by nature, creative.  So, if your client NEEDS a bridge to go in the sand tray, she’ll likely find something to stand in for one (such as sheet of paper), or ask for your aid. They are only limited by their imaginations, not by your supply of tools!

In order for you to build and sustain a practice you need to market yourself. There are many types of marketing strategies out there that can suit your niche and personality. Marketing can be scary to a new counsellor in private practice. Where do you start? How much do you invest time wise and financially? What is the best way to market? If you are feeling frustrated and overwhelmed with the process of marketing your business, know that you are not alone and that many other therapists feel the same way. You are  in a profession that puts clients first so I can imagine if you feel that self promotion feels uneasy. I suggest to you that you market in your comfort zone.

Unfortunately, there is no best way. Yes, I tricked you into thinking there was one way. There are many smart ways. However, I think the best marketing tool at your disposal is to have a website as I’ve mentioned in my last post. A website speaks on your behalf to the public. It can easily be added to your business cards, email signatures, advertising etc., Alright, I’ve touched upon the main tool to have. Here are some marketing tips and methods to try (but I advise you to try the ones that speak to you personally and professionally).

–        Consider public speaking and offering workshops to potential clients in your specialty. These can even be free or at a low cost to generate more attendance.

–        You can invest in some online marketing advertisement such as having your name on certain sites such as Theravive, Psychology today etc., or advertising through Google itself. I advise you what ever way you choose, do some research prior to your decision.

–        Connect and network with key stakeholders revolving around your specialty. Your list could include family doctors or specialists and other therapists. Think out of the box in terms of who would benefit from referring you clients. Always, ALWAYS carry business cards on you, even to the grocery store. You just never know who you’ll meet and be able to network with.

–        Create social media sites which link back to your website. These do require time and effort to  draw people’s attentions in.

–        Create a newsletter or blog on your website

–        Write for a newspaper or magazine

–        Interview on a radio show

Can you think of any other marketing methods? Have you tried something and it failed? Has something worked well for you? The goal is to eventually have word of mouth referrals from these networks and from clients themselves but you have to start somewhere. It will definitely feel like more effort in the beginning and you’ll need to put some conscious effort in the long run to sustain clients. So where would you like to begin?
Andrea Cashman is a private practice counsellor who has founded Holistic Counselling Services for individual clients seeking therapy in Ottawa, ON. She also practices at the Ottawa Hospital as a registered nurse. Feel free to comment below or contact her at [email protected] or visit her website at www.holisticcounsellingservices.ca

There are many counsellors that do not have websites. I believe this is a mistake. In a day in age where the majority of the population turns to the internet to do research, having a website is essential to providing potential clients research into your practice and if you are their ideal fit for a counsellor. The main reasons to have a website are as follows:

–        It’s a formal way for you to market yourself with clients and network with other professionals
–        It helps clients FIND you
–        It establishes your credibility and outlines your experience as a counsellor. It’s a great idea to include your expertise and niche in your website.
–        It should help clients figure out if you can help them with their problems.

How to build a website is a daunting task; however, marketing your website if one of the best ways to promote yourself. If you can afford to hire a professional to build your website, do so. Many starting out cannot afford to so make sure you find a good website provider that provides you the look your are looking for. There are both free and paid website hosts. Whichever you choose, your choice should allow you to choose from preexisting templates and make it easy for you to shape your website into your vision. Here are some other tips for you to consider:

–        Make sure your contact information is visible on every page of your website.
–        Make sure your website personally reflects your style.
–        Avoid use of jargon as much as possible. Make sure your website is understandable to everyone
–        Make sure that your website speaks to the benefits of your service.
–        Use a simple, clean format and use consistency where ever possible. Choose no more than 2 fonts and colours.
–        Ask others to review your website for any spelling, grammar mistakes that you may have missed and to provide you valuable feedback on the esthetics and wording of your website.
–        Consider the use of social media to bring in clients to your website. You can choose various other social media as a professional forum, such as Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, to bring in more website traffic. Personally, I have a Facebook page in addition to my website.

Other things for you to research and consider in terms of your website and online presence are: having a blog on your site, including useful links for clients in your area, keeping up on SEO tactics (Search Engine Optimization) that will help increase your rank of your website for internet searches and having a mobile version of your website (I have one with webs.com) for those smart phone internet users. Best of luck in building your website. Take your time to really plot out and research what works best for you and your potential clients.
Andrea Cashman is a private practice counsellor who has founded Holistic Counselling Services for individual clients seeking therapy in Ottawa, ON. She also practices at the Ottawa Hospital as a registered nurse. Feel free to comment below or contact her at [email protected] or visit her website at www.holisticcounsellingservices.ca

For me, Sand Play is a newer addition to my practice and I love it! While I could write loads about this therapeutic modality, this post will focus on finding a sand table that works for you and your practice.

What Do You Have Room For?

An obvious question, but an important one! Your space will offer limitations.  If you travel for sessions, you may wish to look into a portable sand tray.  Maybe a tray with a lid that can be shelved when not in use would be best for you.  Or perhaps sand table with a lid that doubles as a regular table suits your needs.  Worth keeping in mind is whether water will be added to the box and therefore needs to be waterproof.

Money, Money, Money!

What budget do you have for sand play supplies? Do you want to go with a professional model or something less expensive? For my practice, I had a specific goal in mind: a sand tray with a lid and handles (for easy lifting) that rests on a rolling table.  I like the flexibility of being able to move the tray onto the floor or keep it at table height.  While I was willing to pay for a pre-fabricated “therapy grade” model, I was able to get mine made for free.  My father’s friend teaches carpentry and the class made my table and tray as projects.  I did give some gift certificates as a thank you; spending significantly less than if I bought it new.  Plastic storage bins with lids also make fantastic sand trays.  These are portable, easy to use on the floor, or can be placed upon a table.

Continue reading →

As my previous post showed, it is possible to embark on private practice without incurring tons of debt.  It does take some planning and effort, but it is well worth it!

What You Need Versus What You Want

How do you want your space to look?  Are you responsible for the waiting area?  What about a washroom?  Do you want chairs? A couch? Benches? Beanbag chairs? A hammock (hey, it’s your space)?  Now, what do you need?  Remember, you can always add to the space as your practice grows.  Start with the necessities before adding luxuries.

Thrift Stores, Yard Sales, and Kijiji

Why pay full price for something you can get a great deal on the item slightly used?   I easily saved $250 buying two chairs and an ottoman off of kijiji versus their retail value.  Here’s a tip: make sure whatever you buy can be easily cleaned, is in pretty great shape, and doesn’t have any clinging odors (like cigarette smoke).  Also, buy a receipt book and ask sellers to fill one out for you at the time of purchase, listing the items bought.  This way, you can claim the expenses.  It won’t hurt to let your friends and family know what you need and see if anyone has a lead or is getting rid of something.  I got a free Keurig coffee maker from a friend who just wasn’t using it.  You cannot beat free! You just cannot!

DIY!

This is a great time to Do-It-Yourself, if you are so inclined (or find a friend who is).  A new coat of paint can make thrift store finds seem new and fresh.  Curtains, pillows, and seat cushions can be much cheaper to make than to buy new.  Maybe you have a talent for art, or take interesting photos.  Why not use your talents to decorate the space?  The internet is a treasure trove of DIY ideas and techniques, so have a look around.

Price Comparison

For those items you can’t get free, second-hand, or DIY, comparison shop.  I have been known to spend over an hour looking for a cheaper price on an item (such as a certain brand of play sand) to find the best deal (for said sand, about a $20 difference).  Look at online flyers for local shops, ask for rain cheques if items sell out, and if applicable use coupons!

Cost-Free Art

This is a technique often seen in coffee shops and restaurants.  Offer local artists a free venue to show their works—your office!  Displayed with an artist’s card (and prices), you have original work and they have free advertising.  Both parties win! Work out an agreement that clearly outlines who is responsible for the works while they are in your care.  My landlord had this idea for our waiting area and we now have gorgeous photographs from a local gallery hanging up.  For free.  And, as I said earlier: you cannot beat free!

I hope you found this two-part series on how to economically begin private practice. Perhaps you have some tips you could share?  I’d love to hear them!

The social brain is in its natural habitat when we’re talking with someone face-to-face in real time.
-Daniel Goleman (psychologist who defined “Emotional Intelligence”)

Chapter One, http://www.ccpa-p.caacc/blog/?p=3361 described my mid-life career transition from engineering to private practice. At the chapter’s end, I reached my goal of finding a supervisor willing to work using a collaborative supervision model, which we named a “post graduate internship”.

How does this work?

Since January, my Mondays are spent working with www.williamcooke.ca in Toronto’s Bloor West Village, a leafy, lovely commercial and residential neighborhood. The cozy office occupies the second floor of an older house with a hairdresser on the ground floor and a massage therapist down the hall. The frog statue on the staircase makes me smile.

I am an active participant with my supervisor, an experienced narrative therapist, and several clients. Narrative Therapists act like investigative reporters, helping the client externalize the problem, explore it’s influence, and look for times when the problem is less influential, called unique outcomes or exceptions. The therapist plays an important role, but the client is the expert. Narrative Therapy encourages using “outsider witnesses”, invited and participating listeners. My presence make it possible for my supervisor to offer this intervention, frequently described by clients as helpful and powerful.

I also see clients on my own. I might hold a first session with clients anxious to get started before a space frees in my supervisor’s schedule. There are times when my supervisor and the client agree a session with me would be helpful. We are able to work with couples in unique ways, including working one-on-one for part of a session.

What’s happening here?

At the center of this (literally, not just theoretically), is the client. Our weekly supervision sessions are based on the same client picture—not just carefully selected quotes, or audio/video excerpts. Our unique perspectives about that picture create a richness difficult to replicate in a supervision model where one of the parties will never meet the client. Knowing we will both be face-to-face with the client also creates a shared sense of urgency.

This kind of supervision is so common in the corporate world that I never stopped to consider how much courage it takes to “walk the talk” in front of each other and the client. Let’s be honest, it’s one thing to provide advice about working with someone you have never met, and quite another to work collaboratively, discuss what you heard, why you said what you said, and even the mistakes you made. But it also offers more to the client (for the right client at the right time), not to mention being both interesting and fun for the supervisor and supervisee.

Rhea Plosker is an Engineer and Counsellor. She is starting her adventures in private practice with www.williamcooke.ca and also works as a project consultant in health care and not-for-profit organizations. Rhea can be reached at [email protected] or at www.inspirationsolutions.com.