Therapist Spotlight: Specialization & Handling Managed Care with Dr. Ous Badwan

This Therapist Spotlight is a part of our interview series with experienced Mental Health Practitioners, where therapists share their experiences in Private Practice Therapy.
What was one of the biggest problems you struggled with and ultimately solved in the beginning of your private practice? What solution did you find to your (perhaps persisting) problem?
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.
What advice would you give to a budding mental health practitioner just getting licensed?
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.
Do you see any persisting or upcoming problems in the private practice industry. If so, how do you handle them?
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.
Please let us know about you: where are you located, any specialties, credentials, and educational background. How should someone get in touch with you?
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 .

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