{"id":13858,"date":"2017-08-24T12:19:29","date_gmt":"2017-08-24T16:19:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ccpa-accp.ca\/?p=13858\/"},"modified":"2020-08-17T10:10:55","modified_gmt":"2020-08-17T14:10:55","slug":"15-steps-starting-canadian-counselling-private-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ccpa-accp.ca\/fr\/15-steps-starting-canadian-counselling-private-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"15 STEPS TO STARTING A CANADIAN COUNSELLING PRIVATE PRACTICE"},"content":{"rendered":"

It can overwhelming to start a private practice! So many things to consider like website, insurance, business cards, paperwork, finding an office space\u2026 ugh! Having started a private practice last year in Halifax, I get how stressful it can be! So, to help all you fellow Canadian counsellor entrepreneurs, I came up with a list of 15 steps that will help you start your private practice. Hopefully, this list will make it a lot more easier for you to begin! Enjoy!<\/p>\n

15 STEPS <\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Get certified\/ licensed<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    First things first: become a Certified Canadian Counsellor, this will allow you to get liability insurance. You\u2019ll also be able to sign up with a few insurance companies whose members may get reimbursed for their counselling sessions. Ideally, also get licensed so that your can sign up for A LOT more insurance companies that potential clients might have benefits with. Right now Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia are the only provinces where you can become licensed. To learn more: https:\/\/www.ccpa-accp.ca\/profession\/regulation-across-canada\/<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Get liability insurance<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Once you’re a CCPA member you can get liability insurance through BMS. Click here to learn more https:\/\/www.ccpa-accp.ca\/membership\/insurance\/insurance-details\/<\/a><\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Name your private practice<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Naming your practice after yourself can seem like a simple solution BUT if you ever want to hire other counsellors or sell your business it can become A LOT trickier. Check out this great article that can help you decide:<\/p>\n

        http:\/\/www.practiceofthepractice.com\/name-a-private-practice-step-by-step\/<\/a><\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Register your business<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Check the rules in your province; all I can say is that in Nova Scotia you need to register your business.  http:\/\/novascotia.ca\/sns\/access\/business\/ready-register-business.asp<\/a><\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Get an HST # for your business<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Since we are not regulated in five provinces (yet) we have to charge HST for anything over $30 000. I recommend you speak with an accountant to decide when you get your HST# and when you should start charging.<\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Find office space<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Start off small. Speak to other health practitioners (naturopaths, massage therapists, other counsellors etc.) to see if you can rent a room from them for a day or for a couple hours a week as you build your client base.<\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

              7.Get an office phone number<\/p>\n

              I use Grasshopper, which has cheap rates and allows me to use my personal phone. Check them out at: https:\/\/signup.us.grasshopper.com\/plans<\/a><\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Get business cards<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                I use MOO because of their stylish cards. Check it out at: https:\/\/www.moo.com\/ca\/<\/a><\/p>\n

                Vistaprint is also a great alternative: http:\/\/www.vistaprint.ca\/<\/a><\/p>\n

                 <\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. Find a niche<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  Figure out what you are going to specialize in. Hesitant to choose a niche? Read this https:\/\/abundancepracticebuilding.com\/niche\/busting-niche-hesitations\/<\/a><\/p>\n

                  And then click here to figure out what you\u2019ll specialize in: http:\/\/practiceoftherapy.com\/creating-niche-counseling-private-practice\/<\/a><\/p>\n

                   <\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. Build a website<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    I use and LOVE Brighter Vision! They specialize in creating counselling websites  and offer unlimited support, an email address, AND SEO. Check out my website at: https:\/\/insightmentalhealth.ca<\/a> and if you want to try Brighter Vision out you can get ONE MONTH FREE! at https:\/\/www.brightervision.com\/try\/smith\/<\/a><\/p>\n

                     <\/p>\n

                      \n
                    1. Figure out how you\u2019re going to store client records<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      I use Simple Practice since they offer secure online notes and scheduling. I also keep some parts of client\u2019s files in a locked file cabinet. Check out Simple Practice at: https:\/\/www.simplepractice.com<\/a><\/p>\n

                       <\/p>\n

                        \n
                      1. Develop a paperwork packet that includes consent forms and your business policy.Learn how to create your own or purchase a premade (US) paperwork packet at http:\/\/www.practiceofthepractice.com\/starting-paperwork-right-private-practice\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                         <\/p>\n

                          \n
                        1. Decide on your price for your services<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                          Here\u2019s a great article about how to do so https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/private-practice-owners-how-set-session-fees-your-clients-adams<\/a><\/p>\n

                           <\/p>\n

                            \n
                          1. Join Psychology Today<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                            Many potential clients find counsellors on this site (I\u2019ve gotten many from this site!). Check it out at: https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com<\/a><\/p>\n

                             <\/p>\n

                              \n
                            1. Join Open Path Collective<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                              Give back by offering a couple of slots for clients that cannot afford your full fee. I have found that it gets very complicated and annoying negotiating a sliding scale with clients. This site takes out the bargaining. You have your full fee or your Open Path fee PLUS  it\u2019s free to join.  Here\u2019s the link:https:\/\/www.fearlesspractice.ca\/openpath<\/a><\/p>\n

                              and you can see how I advertise it on my fee page here: https:\/\/insightmentalhealth.ca\/rates-insurance\/<\/a><\/p>\n

                               <\/p>\n

                              Want to meet more Canadian private practice counsellors and get MORE tips? Join the Fearless Practice Facebook group at:  <\/strong>https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/231239247372617\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

                               <\/p>\n

                              About Julia<\/em><\/p>\n

                              Julia Smith, BA, MEd, RCT-C, CCC, is the owner of Insight Mental Health Counselling in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia. She specializes in helping depressed teens build confidence, find happiness, and gain insight.<\/em><\/p>\n

                              Click here<\/a> to learn more about her downtown Halifax counselling practice!<\/em><\/p>\n

                              Disclaimer: The information provided through this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not clinical or consulting advice. E-subscribers and website visitors are receiving general advertising and information about starting a private practice and should not act upon this information without seeking professional consultation.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                              It can overwhelming to start a private practice! So many things to consider like website, insurance, business cards, paperwork, finding an office space\u2026 ugh! Having started a private practice last year in Halifax, I get how stressful it can be! 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