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.

Submitted my License (Associate) Application

This week's progress:

• Associate Licensing Application submitted (need that to practice under a supervisor and move towards full licensure)
• Met with one potential supervisor. Grade: 7/10; meeting with another one in a few days
• Beefed up the content of my website and worked out some kinks
• Maybe found an office to rent!

Getting Licensed
I spent a lot of time yesterday and today completing my application for my associate licence (in case you haven't been reading, in Washington, you are an "associate" until you've gotten all the hours of experience and supervision needed to get a full licence.) It shouldn't have been a surprise, but it turned out to be more work than I expected. And it cost a bit more, too.

There were two main reasons for this:

1. I didn't realize that I needed to request my M.S.W. school transcript. I had to request that... then it turned out that I never completed "Financial Aid training" prior to leaving, so a hold was placed on my account. So, even though I paid all my loans of a few years ago (Thanks, wife's savings!), I had take a bunch of on line quizzes about why defaulting isn't a very good idea. Well, I passed the training and I am now prepared to be a responsible lendee. I submitted evidence of that, and hopefully that will get the transcript processed.
   Cost: $9
2. I didn't realize I needed to get official certification from other states where I've had licenses. I have a LMSW license in New York State. It doesn't help me at all in Washington, but just to be safe I'm having the New York State Dept. of Education certify that I have that license. I had to send the form in by mail, so who knows when it will get processed... (You can just look it all up online, anyway, so I'm not sure why the official certification is necessary).
   Cost: $20

After dealing with all that, I submitted the main application (Cost: $50). The only thing I am missing is the form that verifies that I am receiving supervision, and is signed off by an LMHC. I still don't have a supervisor, but I hope to have one by Monday (I'm still shopping around a bit). Once I decide I'll get the form signed and drop it in the mail. Then I will pray that all the pieces of the application come together into the same folder and get processed swiftly. (The WA DOH says they are processing applications who's checks cleared on 2/2/12, so it looks like there is a 2 week timelag for start of processing. That means I can probably only expect a license number by March 15 if I'll lucky.

Supervisor

I'll have more to write about this topic once I've chosen one for sure.

Website

For now I am using a Wordpress theme that I've converted to look like a website. I can't afford to hire a web designer and I want to be able to change content and design easily. I am pretty happy about the look of my page. Still working on the content - how to describe your practice in the way you want? AND in a way that will attract clients? And what about the all-important photo portrait? Here's a post by Tamara Suttle on using professional photos for our websites, blogs, avatars, etc. I agree with her about the worst offenders of style or business common-sense, but It's still hard to figure out that sweet spot between formal and relaxed/natural.

 

Office

I may have found a weekend office space that I like. The location is quite good; I like the style of the building a lot. Seems quiet. I'm not thrilled by the office furniture - I like chairs that are chairs, not mini sofas - but I can live with it. The one question I have is how to find a child-friendly space that doesn't look like a daycare - that is, where adults would feel good about going to - not full of toys, doll houses, etc.. I'm even thinking of just doing adults and adolescents in this office and, on another day, renting space in the evening for a couples of kids+family sessions. We'll see... And I'll let you know if I put down the money for the office: That will be a big step! I have to rent it for March, so hopefully my licensure application won't eat up that time. I will keep you updated!

Summary: I'm feeling pretty good about this plan. I get waves of, "who the hell do I think I am, a therapist?" and "What the hell will I do once I have clients?" and, "Will I have clients?" But overall, I'm excited.

Slowly making progress

Several weeks ago I wrote about getting a new job. As predicted, that has taken some attention away from my practice. I am now 3 weeks into my office job, settling in (it's not as bad as I expected...or at least, I'm getting used to the badness!); I've gotten my first paycheck - that's always nice - and now I am moving forward with my private practice.

Progress report:

Supervision

• I've scheduled two meetings with potential supervisors
• One is a man who works close to my home; I identified his website while looking at other therapist sites, and I like his clinical perspective
• Another is a woman who is not quite as close to me, but who was recommended by a friend
• Once I meet with them and choose someone, I'll be able to send in my LICSW-Associate application; that will take a while to process, but once it's done, I'll be able to legally provide therapy, which is kind of important

Malpractice Insurance

• Here are some basic things I've discovered about malpractice insurance:
• "Malpractice insurance" is the same thing as "Professional liability insurance"
• This may be obvious, but it took me a while to figure it out
• It is sold at an annual rate, and is usually quoted based on how much they pay out per and per year, e.g. "$1,000,000 per occurrence / $3,000,000 total per year"
• The cost also depends on whether you work part-time or not; and sometimes when you graduated.
• For some plans (like NASW - see below) the rate goes up each year, because you are covering increasingly more years back. So for the first year you pay, say, $40, but by year 6 you are paying for coverage for six prior years, so the rate is more like $150.
• There are various deals based on what association you belong to, but of course you also have to factor in the membership fee, and the added benefits of membership.
• Case in point: NASW costs $170 / year to join, and I can get part-time coverage for $44
• This is a good deal if I am going to join the NASW anyway (I has a student membership which I let expire); but if I want just insurance, there are much better deals.
• For your reference, here is a good link with a list of insurance coverage options for counselors, although I don't know how up-to-date it is, and obviously I can't recommend any of the plans listed.

Office

• I have not found an office. I had some options but I didn't want to start renting while my start-up was stalled, and now they are all rented.

More news later...