Additional Information
Book Details
Abstract
Working in independent practice can be attractive to therapists for a myriad of reasons; however, the practical challenges can also seem considerable. How can you negotiate these challenges to build a thriving counselling practice that fits with your personal aims and professional ambitions?
For example:
• What do you need to consider when choosing your practice location?
• Where does marketing and promoting your practice fit in?
• How can you build a support network when working independently?
These questions, and many more, are discussed in this compact guide. Written by two highly regarded authors and practitioners, the book gives hands-on advice and support in planning, setting up and running independent practice.
Packed with tips, tools and practical strategies for you to find your own way of working, the book:
• Explores issues of engaging with clients, from the first client intake interview to practical arrangements for holiday periods
• Discusses managing your finances, including setting fee structures and the pros and cons of doing your own accounts
• Pinpoints risk factors for working in independent practice and discusses practical ways to manage these
• Encourages you to assess your own practice through reflective exercises
An in-depth and practical guide to working independently, this is an indispensable tool for both counselling and psychotherapy trainees considering their career options post-qualification, and established practitioners looking to refine their practice and revisit their skills in light of changing ambitions and circumstances.
An honest, comprehensive and much-needed text guiding trainees and professionals through the complex process of setting up in independent practice, exploring practical aspects of private work
ROBERT BOR is Consultant Clinical Psychologist in the Medical Specialities Directorate at the Royal Free Hospital, London, UK. He is a Chartered Clinical, Counselling and Health Psychologist, a Chartered Scientist, as well as a Fellow of the British Psychological Society. He is also a UKCP Registered Family Therapist.
ANNE STOKES is Co-Director of Counselling Online Ltd, as well as Course Co-ordinator and Tutor at University of Bristol, UK. She has been an external examiner at Lewes MA26, University of Reading, Southampton University (New MA26) and West Kent MA26. A BACP Accredited Counsellor her clients have included NHS Trust, CAB, Victim Support, Vodafone, Diocesan Training Board and Drugs and Alcohol Rehabilitation Trust.
Table of Contents
| Section Title | Page | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover | Cover | ||
| Contents | v | ||
| Acknowledgements | ix | ||
| About the Authors | x | ||
| 1 Introduction | 1 | ||
| The impetus behind the growth in independent practice | 2 | ||
| Your professional identity or 'tag' | 5 | ||
| Conclusion | 8 | ||
| Reflexive points | 9 | ||
| 2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Independent Practice | 10 | ||
| Introduction | 10 | ||
| Types of independent practice | 11 | ||
| Why choose this way of working? | 11 | ||
| Advantages of working independently | 12 | ||
| What are the disadvantages? | 16 | ||
| Stress and stressors | 20 | ||
| Conclusion: will independent practice suit you? | 24 | ||
| Reflexive points | 25 | ||
| 3 Choosing the Practice Location | 26 | ||
| Introduction | 26 | ||
| Location | 26 | ||
| Accessibility | 27 | ||
| Sharing with other therapists | 28 | ||
| Sharing with other professionals | 29 | ||
| Proximity to other therapists | 29 | ||
| Suitability of rooms for different client groups | 29 | ||
| Safety and security | 29 | ||
| Cheerfulness | 30 | ||
| Professional appearance | 30 | ||
| Choice of furnishings | 30 | ||
| Special issues when working from home | 31 | ||
| Conclusion | 32 | ||
| Reflexive points | 32 | ||
| 4 Managing Your Time | 33 | ||
| Introduction | 33 | ||
| Think what we can learn from big business | 34 | ||
| Don't waste down time whinging | 34 | ||
| Finding a balance | 34 | ||
| How much time should we allow per client? | 35 | ||
| Managing the flow | 36 | ||
| Traditional or flexible contracts around sessions? | 37 | ||
| Making sure you record allocated times | 37 | ||
| Being available when clients want to see you | 38 | ||
| Clients with particular time needs | 38 | ||
| Weekend appointments | 38 | ||
| Holidays | 39 | ||
| Practical arrangements for holiday periods | 40 | ||
| Other interruptions to client work | 41 | ||
| Managing time within clients' finances | 41 | ||
| Endings | 42 | ||
| Time for administration | 42 | ||
| Dealing with out of session contacts from clients | 42 | ||
| Time spent on first appointments | 43 | ||
| Spend time on your resource book | 44 | ||
| Conclusion | 44 | ||
| Reflexive points | 45 | ||
| 5 Financial Matters | 46 | ||
| Introduction | 46 | ||
| Trading or practice style | 46 | ||
| Developing a business plan | 48 | ||
| What do you need to earn? | 52 | ||
| Expenses | 52 | ||
| Plan your budget | 52 | ||
| How much income will I retain? | 53 | ||
| Using other professionals | 53 | ||
| Billing and charging | 54 | ||
| Determining your fee | 55 | ||
| Reduced fees | 56 | ||
| Collecting the fee | 58 | ||
| Managing cash flow | 59 | ||
| Business bank accounts | 60 | ||
| Debts | 62 | ||
| Pursuing debts | 62 | ||
| Expenses | 63 | ||
| Reducing your expenses | 65 | ||
| Conclusion | 65 | ||
| Reflexive points | 66 | ||
| 6 Practical Aspects of Client Work | 67 | ||
| Introduction | 67 | ||
| Pre first session information | 67 | ||
| Contracts and client information | 69 | ||
| Focusing and goals | 76 | ||
| Reviewing and evaluating with clients | 73 | ||
| Client records | 75 | ||
| Conclusion | 80 | ||
| Reflexive points | 81 | ||
| 7 Engaging with the Process | 82 | ||
| Introduction | 82 | ||
| The intake process in independent practice | 83 | ||
| How is this different from any other setting for therapy? | 86 | ||
| Forming a contract | 89 | ||
| Assessment for therapy in independent practice | 93 | ||
| Aims of assessment | 93 | ||
| When it is unwise to enter a contract as an independent practitioner | 95 | ||
| Conclusion | 97 | ||
| Reflexive points | 97 | ||
| 8 Marketing Your Independent Practice | 98 | ||
| Introduction | 98 | ||
| What is marketing? | 98 | ||
| Ethical considerations | 100 | ||
| Determining what you are marketing | 101 | ||
| Trading style and image | 103 | ||
| Use of other professionals | 105 | ||
| Promoting yourself | 105 | ||
| Making use of the Internet | 108 | ||
| Applying marketing theories | 110 | ||
| Conclusion | 116 | ||
| Reflexive points | 116 | ||
| 9 Managing Risk: Day to Day Issues | 117 | ||
| Introduction | 117 | ||
| Risks from ourselves | 117 | ||
| Assessing where we are | 118 | ||
| Risk assessment | 119 | ||
| Financial risks | 120 | ||
| Safety risks | 126 | ||
| Legal issues | 131 | ||
| Conclusion | 133 | ||
| Reflexive points | 133 | ||
| 10 Managing Risk: Crunch Factors for Your Business | 134 | ||
| Introduction | 134 | ||
| Business mentor | 137 | ||
| The main reasons why independent practices fail | 138 | ||
| Minimizing risks | 146 | ||
| Conclusion | 147 | ||
| Reflexive points | 148 | ||
| 11 Running the Practice and Support Networks | 149 | ||
| Introduction | 149 | ||
| External contacts | 150 | ||
| Continuing professional development (CPD) | 159 | ||
| Peer support | 161 | ||
| Supervision | 161 | ||
| Managing your diary | 163 | ||
| Conclusion | 164 | ||
| Reflexive points | 165 | ||
| 12 Reflections on Private Practice | 166 | ||
| Introduction | 166 | ||
| Our reflections | 167 | ||
| Conclusion | 174 | ||
| References | 175 | ||
| Index | 177 |