I am fairly new to private practice. I would have to say my biggest challenge has been finding a reasonable price point for self-paying clients. At times, I find myself financially undervaluing the cost of my services in order to obtain new clients. As a therapist my primary purpose for getting into this profession was to help those in need, but as an entrepreneur my focus is to obtain the optimum price for my services. At this time, I am working on creating groups for those that cannot afford my standard costs. With groups, I am still getting paid the amount I feel I deserve for my time and clients receive the benefits of the group and my expertise. I am also considering creating packages where for a certain price per month clients can participate in group and still have an individual session with me at an affordable cost.

My advice is to collaborate and become active in your community. There are a lot of healthcare providers that would love to have a primary therapist to refer to, especially if you have a niche. Becoming involved in local organizations in your area is a great way to build your referral source, and create affordable, grassroots advertising. The more people see you, as a person and not just an online advertisement, the more likely people are to refer clients to you.

I think the primary advice I would have given myself early in my career is the same I give myself now, and that is, “practice self-care.” It is so easy to be caught up in the hustle and bustle of your practice, education, marketing, and growing your practice that it is easy to forget to take care of yourself. Even if it is just taking a five minute meditation or exercising for twenty minutes it is important to do something for yourself daily.

I think the biggest issue those in private practice are going to come up against will pertain to the new changes and polices with the Affordable Care Act. I am not really sure what the problems will be exactly, but I think the fact that it the program is so new and unknown proposes some potential challenges. I believe all healthcare providers need to stay current and abreast on the Affordable Care Act regardless of if they accept insurance or are only self-pay.

I am located in Nashville, TN. I am a Licensed Master Social Worker with a specialization in sex therapy. You can find out more about me at www.pandorasawakening.com or by emailing me at contact@pandorasawakening.com.

I think what makes my practice different from others is that I have a specialization in sex therapy and education. This is an area of focus that is very limited where I practice. I am also very holistic in my therapeutic approach. I am knowledgeable in various evidenced-based therapeutic techniques as well as natural holistic practices for reducing mental health related symptoms. I am very mind, body, and spirit focused within my practice.
I have also found that by being African-American many clients are attracted to my practice due to my ability to provide a minority perspective and representation to treatment. The primary factor that attracts and maintains people in my practice is that I am authentic to myself. This allows clients to feel they are able to safely create a space for their own personal authenticity and growth in treatment.