Private Practice Chronicles, Part 14: Six Things I’ve Done Well

I started writing this “Private Practice Chronicles” series two years ago when I opened my practice. It was a way for me to write about the ups, downs and everything in-between. My chronicles of PP have been some of my most-read blogs, and it’s been fun for me to re-read them to see how far I’ve come in a relatively short period of time.

I’ve written about my mistakes here and here. Looking back over the last two years, though….well, I know I’ve made mistakes but, dang, I’ve also done a lot of things right. So today, I’m sharing six things I feel I’ve done well:

• I don’t try to solve everyone’s problems – When I first started out, I felt immense pressure to fix everyone and everything that walked through the door. That’s what a good counselor does, right? WRONG. I know here are some things that are simply not fixable. The only thing that can change is the level of acceptance in the client, and my job is to help them get there anyway I can.
• I set boundaries – Of course, I’m admittedly still a work in progress on this one, but I’m getting much, much better. I’m not answering every email or phone call or text that comes through on the weekends (or all hours, for that matter), and I end my last appointment of the day at 7:00 p.m. (I used to take 9:00 pm appointments, even on a Friday)!
• I keep the hustle up – Just because your practice starts taking off doesn’t mean you can sit back and rest on your laurels. I am constantly marketing myself and thinking of new ways to get new business in the door.
• I screw up – and own it. Double-booked clients? Been there. Called a client by another client’s name? Done that. Completely forgot about a business meeting I set up with someone I admire who squeezed me into his busy schedule? Yup, that’s me. I’m a human being. I’m imperfect. I never make excuses for my mistakes, I can only own them, apologize, then do my damndest not to repeat them.
• I stick to my guns – People told me to take insurance (I don’t). People told me to see everyone that walks through me door to grow my business (I don’t). People told me to take on a partner (I haven’t). People advised me to take on business contracts that, while lucrative…..would be the only reason why I was doing it. People told me to do lots of thing that, in my gut, I knew weren’t right for me or my business. It’s your practice, to run your way – not anyone else’s.
• Listen to others – Contrary to my previous point, there have been times where I have sought out advice from older and more experienced clinicians in private practice. Something a colleague said to me has resonated with me since my early days. We were talking about marketing and he told me he doesn’t spend a lot of time or money on it. Why not? I asked him, almost incredulous at his answer. He said this: “I spend my time reading and learning and just trying to be the best therapist I can be for my clients, and when I do that, I find that my business grows itself.” He has a successful practice, and this statement of his is true on many levels.

So there you have it, the six things I’ve done well. I’d love to hear from you and what you do well in your practice. Keep going and keep growing.