Office, check; supervisor, check; license application, check; website, check (sort of)

I've made a lot of progress, I just haven't had a chance to post! First of all, I've signed a lease to rent an office 1 day per week. I like the neighborhood, I like the building, I like the office, and I like my landlords. So I'm pretty happy about that, and it allows me to move forward with other things, like getting business cards printed and publishing my website. More importantly, I have an office, which makes my practice feel much more solid and grounded. Now that I'm paying rent, I'll be more motivated to start getting clients.


My rent is about $25 / week, that is, per Saturday. I think that is pretty reasonable, and it does not feel like a huge financial investment. My first day is this Saturday, and of course I have no patients yet, but I think I'll go there, soak up the atmosphere, and maybe do some writing.


I can't start seeing clients yet because my Associate license is still being processed. That's another bit of progress I've made: I completed the application, settled on a supervisor, and submitted all the paperwork. This included an official MSW transcript; and a certification of my license from New York. It's been about a week, and according to the DOH updates, it is now being processed. Who knows how long that will take, but I'm hoping I have my license number in the next week.


I weighed the risks and benefits of going "live" with my practice, and only scheduling any new clients in two weeks or so, hoping that I'd have my license in time; but I decided that that was too risky - for all I know the application will be delayed and then I'd be in a weird spot. So I'm just getting my website ready so that I can go "live" as soon as I have my license number.


Speaking of websites, I've been designing a simple site using WordPress.com themes. WordPress is a blog site but it is pretty simple, using pages, to tweak the blog so it looks like a website. You can also purchase a URL for your site, which I did a few days ago.


I'm still working on the website text - it is hard to know how much info too much info. I've noticed a trend in private practice sites: Its the scatter-shot method - mention as many specialties as you can, with the aim that something will catch the eye of the viewer. The general consensus I've seen is that it's actually better to focus on a niche. But since I'm starting out new, I haven't really found my niche.


Anyway, I tend towards simple, and I'm somewhat averse to selling myself, but I also want a website that will connect with potential clients, so I'm writing somewhat more than I'm naturally inclined.


In summary, I feel like I've made a lot of progress in February. My original "launch" date was Feb. 1; that didn't happen because I got a job. But I've made a lot of the second half of last month, and I expect that sometime in March I'll launch my website, start dropping business cards around town, and list myself on a few sites. Then we'll see if anyone calls.


Next Steps:


Malpractice insurance - can't decide which plan
Business cards - can't decide which design
Phone - do I need a separate phone or phone line?
Client info and disclosure statement - write it


On top of all this, I keep reminding myself that I'm actually going to have to do therapy too. That in itself is pretty intimidating.

The To-Do List

As I've written, the process is daunting, at least for someone like me. I'm making use of two high-tech tools to move forward:

1. The to-do list
2. "Next steps" list

"Next steps" are simple things you can do - "Call potential supervisor," "Check licensing rules" e.g. And they are useful because they are simple and specific. It is easy to get overwhelmed by a task like, "Set up business" or "Make website". So you break it down into specific steps. If you do a step every day, you will eventually complete the broader task.

That said, master to-do lists are useful too. So, just to give a sense of what's potentially involved just in getting off the ground, I thought I'd post my current to-do list (not necessarily in chronological order, or in order of priority). Am I missing anything?:

Groundwork

• Find qualified supervisor
• Get paperwork completed for license application
• Decide on target customers:
• Kids, families, couples, adults, men, all?
• Decide on name of practice / business
• Based on my name; location; theme?
• Decide on location:
• Chose neighborhood options
• Find office available at appropriate times
• Choose when I want to work
• Rent it

Misc. expenses and purchases needed

• Toys, materials for kids, families
• New professional clothes
• Small business software
• Business cell phone
• Smart Phone for traffic checks and emailing?
• Transport: Bike, car
• New computer (I need it but this can wait)

Business side of things

• Decide what type of business (leaning towards LLC)
• Get business license
• Get business credit union account (checking, credit)
• Credit card system?
• Malpractice insurance
• Health insurance
• Set up record keeping system
• Excel? 
• Business software?
• Comprehend insurance system (for future)
• Learn more about general business expense rules

Marketing

• Website and email address
• Choose URL
• Hire someone?
• Wordpress?
• Other services?
• Local therapy listings
• Use my current contacts
• Make new contacts
• Business cards
• Logo?
• Design
• Get printed
• Leave in good spots
• Cafes
• Other?
• Beef up LinkedIn Profile
• Spread the word elsewhere
• Local listings (various)
• Facebook?
• LinkedIn?
• Friends?
• Family?

Licensing

• Find Supervisor
• Register as Associate
• Continuing Education hours
• HIV AIDS Training
• Complete hours
• Transfer hours from my old job
• Complete Paperwork, get approved for exam
• Take Clinical Exam
• Get my license

Paperwork issues

• Prepare disclosure form, and policy statement
• Develop a good system for records 
• Prepare list of referrals (Psychiatrist, other therapists)

There, that's not so hard.