When you set up your counseling service, you built it around other people. Your goal was to serve others and do a good job of it.
But as you got deeper into it, you realized that you also needed it to serve you. It didn’t make sense otherwise. How could you do your job if it wasn’t serving you?
That’s where this post can help. We look at some of the ways you can turn your therapy practice from an energy drain into something that supports you and helps you reach your goals.
Keep It Honest
The first place to start is with honesty. The more open you are about how your practice is serving you, the better.
Look at your hours and the commitment running your practice involves. Ask whether it is supporting your needs and goals.
Once you know where you stand, you are in a much better position to make changes.
Develop A Brand
The next step is to develop a brand. Once you make yourself different from everyone else, you are far more likely to gain business without spending so much time reaching out to people and advertising.
To develop a brand, start with your professional identity. Create a story around who you are, what you do, and how you help people.
Then, move on to creating a quality website that people love. Make it user-friendly, informative, and optimized for search engines.
Once you’ve done that, leverage social media. Look for ways to establish a presence on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Search for ways to build a valuable channel and succeed long-term.
Change Your Operations
The next step is to change how you operate by setting boundaries and managing your time better. Creating a sustainable schedule prevents burnout and helps you give the best version of yourself to your clients.
Start by exploring tools like therapy practice management software. Ask whether you could potentially automate more tasks and get stuff done.
Then, focus on prioritizing your self-care. Look for ways to recharge yourself mentally and spiritually so you don’t feel on edge all the time. Once you leave the office, forget about it until you return.
If you can, pass more tasks over to other people. Get your admin or secretary to arrange appointments and meetings for you, or take care of the electricity bill. Your job should be focusing on your clients.
Build Client Retention
You should also focus on building client retention. If you can get people to stick with you, you won’t have to reach out so much to new people. The best way to do this is through referrals.
If you have a client willing to recommend you to their friends, that can be an excellent way to grow without putting in as much effort. It’s instant social proof that’s often more powerful than advertising.
Sometimes, you can also build a referral network. Local doctors and medical professionals will sometimes pass patients over to you to continue working with them.