This year, I’m in full Christmas mode! December is a special time for many businesses. As therapists, many clinicians report a dip in referrals. My experience has been that I’m generally pretty busy during the holiday season because clients need support with all the family time. Heck, I might even need some additional support from my support system after all my family time!
December also signifies the end of the fiscal year our businesses. This is the last chance for you to get write-offs for 2018. While I don’t advise that you overspend in write-offs to lower your tax liability, if you have been waiting on getting a therapy tool, December is your chance.
In true Oprah spirit, here’s a list of my favorite things for 2018.
Therapy book:
The Feeling Good Handbook
This is my #1 most recommended book for my clients. It’s comprehensive yet easy to follow. If you use CBT in your practice, I highly recommend you read this book yourself and recommend it to clients.
Private practice building book:
Profit First
Profit First hit the therapy circles sometime in 2017. It is a book that has transformed the way many private practice owners run their businesses. If you haven’t already read this book, put it on the top of your to-do list.
Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine
Marketing tool:
Socialite Lighting Kits
Facebook live videos are an amazing way to warm up an audience and turn viewers into leads. If you plan on doing videos to market your practice, you’ll want to consider a lighting kit. This kit is perfect for a beginner.
Electronic Health Record:
Therapy Notes
Therapy Notes is a comprehensive electronic health record and perfect for solo and group practices. If you haven’t transitioned into an EHR, 2019 is your year. Having an EHR helps private practice owners keep track of payments, notes, treatment plans and billing. For a two-month free trial, sign up at Therapy Notes.
Conference:
Not So Typical Psychotherapist Symposium
If you aren’t familiar with Ernesto Segismundo , you’ll want to connect with him. He’s a FB live wiz. He’s also amazing at putting together conferences. While it’s too late to meet him in Hawaii in 2019, it’s not too late to connect with him and several other private practice coaches and consultants at the Not So Typical Psychotherapist Symposium. To find out more information, check out the website.
Paperwork:
The Private Practice Start-Up
Two of my friends from here in South Florida have linked up with an attorney to provide attorney approved paperwork to clinicians. If you got your paperwork handed down from another therapist, you may want to take a look at their paperwork to see if it’s time to upgrade. Get your paperwork in order today right here.
Meditation device:
Muse
Muse is a wonderful tool for therapists to utilize with their clients. It tracks client’s brain waves while they are meditating and you can compare data from sessions to sessions. They have an app so it’s easy to track. I use it and I love it. Learn more about Muse.
Practice building course:
Next Level Practice
Joseph Sanok is my business coach and he’s helped me scale my business in 2018 in a way that I didn’t even think was possible. And the best thing about Joe is that he’s super down-to-earth about his approach. He didn’t tell me to spend $5000 on a flashy website. He didn’t teach me any sleazy sales techniques. He told me to use my skills (I’m direct with my delivery of knowledge) and use them to my advantage. He offers a fantastic course for therapists working towards the $100,000 goal so if that’s you then this course is for you. Find out more about this course here.
Website:
Brighter Vision
To say I’m a fan of Brighter Vision is an understatement. I’ve got two websites by them and they regularly rank #1 on Google for the keywords I wanted. My favorite thing about them is they will update my website whenever I need them to. And we update often because Google LOVES when you change your content. Get one more free month with Brighter Vision here.
Freebie:
Therapy Den
If you are looking for another directory for you to join, it’s time for you to consider joining Therapy Den. The founder, Jeff Guenther, is passionate bringing a more inclusive directory for clients to find a therapist that’s a great fit for them. Sign-up here.
Amanda Patterson, LMHC, CAP, NCC is the owner of Caring Therapists of Broward, a group practice in Pembroke Pines, Florida. She specializes in working with young adults and teens with depression and anxiety. She is the founder of “My Private Practice Tribe”, a Facebook group for therapists looking to build successful private practices. She helps therapists with business, financial and market planning. To schedule a 15-minute consultation on your private practice needs, visit her website here: https://www.amandapattersonlmhc.com/work-with-amanda/.
* I am an affiliate for some of the businesses I recommend. These are companies that I use in my own group practice, and make recommendations based off of my experience with them. When you use some of these companies through my links, I receive compensation, which helps me continue to offer great free information on my videos, blog, Facebook group, and website.
