Expand your network, expand your options
Traditional business professionals have long acknowledged that it is not what you know but who you know that helps you get ahead. What if we take this business mindset and adjust it for a more supportive application for the field of psychotherapy? While you often work independently with clients, you do not need to feel alone in your practice. Perhaps it is time to apply the theory that “there is power in numbers” to your business plan.
If you are working in a group practice setting or shared office space, you have access to support and collaboration already. Perhaps it’s time to revitalize those connections or consider shifting your business’s energy with new collaborations that may invigorate your creativity.
If you work from home and/or are newer to private practice, expanding your professional network may be of great benefit, yet can feel daunting. Of course, this endeavor does not need to feel taxing, in fact, networking and collaboration can be a fun administrative duty which balances out the mental load of direct client care.
Whether you are a new or a seasoned therapist, infusing fresh energy into your practice may be well worth your efforts. Think about applying the exact same skills you would use if you were looking for a service provider for yourself or researching resources for your clients.
For example, if you are someone who chooses practitioners by word of mouth, ask around for names of practitioners doing some amazing work. If you tend to look online and search websites to find a good practitioner, then you will do the same here.
While some psychotherapists find the most successful collaborations are with practitioners that have similar business minds as they do (for example, both have online bios, business websites, and partake in active social media posts), others may choose to look for providers who appear more advanced in their businesses than where they are.
If the latter is you, keep in mind that you are not looking for a business mentor (unless that is something you state up front). Instead, you are being strategic by aligning yourself with those who are currently a level up from your business.
This strategy can be likened to an athlete who knows that playing with others better than they are improves their game. Think about aligning yourself with others who reflect the business development that you are striving to achieve. You will learn by observation how to level up your business “game” by surrounding yourself with those who inspire you.
It is important not to limit yourself to only psychotherapists, though. Many amazing collaborations come from professionals in complementary fields such as physical therapists, massage therapists, physicians, personal trainers, yoga instructors, and even hair stylists.
As you consider the services in which your ideal client would likely participate, collaborating with professionals in those service industries can prove to be advantageous for both you and your new collaboration partner.
Seeking to collaborate with practitioners with whom you may invent a new modality or method to wellness can be an exciting agenda to add to your intention.
Might you create a spa day with a beauty salon where you guide participants through a mindfulness-based stress reduction practice as they receive facials or manicures?
Could you work with a yoga studio to introduce somatic therapy to a select group of participants?
Might you find an acupuncturist who needs a mental health practitioner for their trauma-informed initiative?
The options for collaboration with non-psychotherapy practitioners is endlessly creative and can provide innovative new strategies to offer more comprehensive care to your clients.
Making collaboration part of your business agenda can expand your practice, enhance your support network, lessen your mental load, and add to your creative fulfillment.