Are you one of the mental health providers who are just starting off their private practice, looking to expand, or planning to leave their jobs that they’re currently in? The most common dilemma you may be facing right now is figuring out the best schedule to execute in your own practice. In today’s episode, Doctor TK will share with us some tips on how you would structure a better schedule for yourself based on her 7+ years experience of private practice.
Podcast Goals: * Learn how to fit your schedule into the season of your clientele * Determine the term of your therapy with client to maximize treatment schedule * Put your referral system in place in case it’s needed to meet clients’ level of care * Set your vacation time and time off to your calendar * Market the ideal clients that match your schedule * Be flexible with your schedule to block out or cluster times for client * Make room for growth in a private practice setting * Define part-time or full time to know your numbers
Episode Timeline: * TIP#1: Be aware that your schedule can change via the season of your clientele [01:22]
Seasons when Doctor TK’s private practice would slow down [01:52]
TIP#2: Define short term vs long term therapy for yourself [03:12]
Defining the ‘therapy term’ by giving categories [05:02]
How to decide when to begin treatment [05:25]
Avoiding the holiday interruptions by scheduling with client [06:02]
TIP#3: Referral system in process has to be present [06:35]
What is “level of care”? [07:20]
Informing clients your level of care in a private practice setting [08:00]
Assessing clients coming into services for a more appropriate clinical referral [08:51]
How referral system helps create your ideal schedule [09:49]
TIP#4: Consider vacation time and time off [10:15]
Setting up a shared calendar with your interns, group practice, or subleased clinicians [11:03]
TIP#5: Figure out the type of client that fits your schedule [12:21]
How Doctor TK organizes her schedule to accommodate clients on her private practice while working on two jobs [12:33]
What are the 2 ways to do when your ideal clientele sets your schedule? [14:08]
TIP#6: Understand the flexibility in office and/or online space [16:14]
Clustering clients to your schedule [16:50]
Setting strategic appointments nearby her Cerritos office [17:47]
TIP#7: Define part time vs full time [19:23]
Get yourself in the waitlist for The Dope Academy! [19:35]
Podcast recap [21:53]
Take the Private Practice Quiz for Free! [23:05]
Standout Quotes from Doctor TK: * “Be very aware that your ideal clients you attract in your office may dictate the fluctuation of how your schedule may go.” [02:38]
“You want clients to know right away during their referral process that they may not be appropriate or they are not appropriate for your level of care but also have some type of system in place (a rolodex per se) on your phone or in a binder of some referral resources, if not, their insurance company that maybe they find you through.” [8:24]
“You want to first identify (for your abundance) what schedule you want. And then you have to ask yourself, ‘does this schedule fit the clientele that I want to serve’? If not, then you need to change your schedule.” [15:32]
“Define how many hours you want to work per week. Don’t think about the money. I know you gotta pay bills, but I follow passion. In fact, money to me follows passion because I love what I’m doing.” [20:28]
Resources Mentioned:
Connect: Find | Doctor TK
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On Pinterest: @DoctorTKPsych
On Youtube: @Doctor TK
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