I, like most, initially had difficulty with referrals. I was able to solve this issue by establishing very specific and collaborative relationships. This meant less of a focus on a high number of referral sources, and instead an emphasis on a few relationships that were truly beneficial to clients, creating collaborative networks that benefited my work.

I would encourage, those with degrees that allow, to consider the use of psychological assessment as a part of their practice. This has added an element to the business and clinical aspect of my work that I hadn’t initially anticipated.

I suppose the issue with insurance is a problem. It’s frustrating for patients/client and clinicians. I handle this problem by not accepting the majority of insurance network, or requiring the client’s submit independently for reimbursement. I have managed to accept primarily private fee clients, as well as medicaid clients. Medicaid has been easier to work with than the large private insurance companies. It also allows lower income families access to mental health within my practice.

I’m in Denver, Colorado (City Park Neighborhood) and the specialty of the practice is Child Psychology with a sub-specialty in Early Childhood and Infant Mental Health. I have a doctorate in clinical psychology (University of Denver) and a masters in marriage in family therapy (Pepperdine University). My two colleagues within my practice are Dr. Jay Willoughby and Dr. Jane Hancock. My website is www.birchpsychology.com .