Episode 11: Don't Be The Applebee's Of Therapy — You're The Expert!

Choosing your niche is a lot like setting yourself up as the expert in a particular field, population, set of struggles, or way of working.

Last year when I started talking about Impostor Syndrome on FB lives, webinars, etc., I was just talking about my experiences. The more I talked about it, the more I was being viewed as "the impostor syndrome expert." All of a sudden, I was speaking at conferences, on podcasts, coaching courses, and more!

Too often I hear, "I'm a trauma-informed therapist who works with A, B, C..."

If you don't know who you're marketing your services to, then how could they possibly find you or call you? Why would someone pay you out of pocket if you don't proclaim to be the "expert" in a certain struggle, population, or technique?

When you ask yourself, "do I really need to have a niche," I think the resounding answer is YES!!

If you work in a really saturated area, how do you stand out if you work with "everyone?" 

How often do we see therapists asking the same questions over and over in all of the FB groups? 

• "Why isn't my phone ringing?" 
• "How do I get more self-pay clients?"
• "But, won't I exclude clients if I focus on a "specific population?"

Listen to this episode of the All Things Private Practice Podcast so you can gain clarity on the importance of choosing your niche, and why I think our niche is a version of ourselves.

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Mentioned in this episode:

A Thanks to Our Sponsor, The Receptionist for iPad!

I would also like to thank The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode. As you prepare for the new year as a private practice owner, one area of your business where you might be able to level up your client experience is from the moment that they enter your office and check in with you. For many private practices, the client check-in process can be a bit awkward and confusing. Clients often enter into an empty waiting room. And chances are you're wrapping up a session with someone else, so there's no way of knowing when they arrive. With a visitor management system like The Receptionist for iPad, you can provide clients with a discreet and secure way to check in for their appointment while instantly being notified of their arrival. What's more, The Receptionist offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.

Visit the website for The Receptionist for iPad here!

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

I want to thank The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode. From new patients faced with an empty lobby and no idea where to find their therapist to clinicians with a session running over time and the doorbell ringing, some of the most anxiety-ridden moments of a therapy appointment happen before a session even starts. The Receptionist for iPad, helps you tackle some of that pre-appointment apprehension and anxiety. The Receptionist for iPad is an easy-to-use digital client check-in system that helps your visitors check in securely to their appointments and notify their practitioners of their arrival via SMS, email, or your preferred channel. No more confusion, and less lobby checking or having clients sign in on paper logbooks. It can even help you upgrade and update your demographic information for your clients as well and even validate parking. Start a 14-day free trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link and you'll also get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

Resilient Mind Counseling

It's Patrick. Some of you may know that I own a group therapy practice in North Carolina, Resilient Mind Counseling. We specialize in supporting the Neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, and Black, Brown, and Asian communities online and across North Carolina. We also have limited in-person openings at our offices in Asheville and Cary. We really love working with clients who are coming to terms with both Autism and ADHD discoveries later in life or questioning, as well as the intersections of race, gender, identity, and orientation. All of our therapists have lived experience and identify as AuDHD, Autistic, or ADHD. Our team of affirming therapists offers a safe, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, inclusive, and accessible space where you can show up exactly as you are—no masking, no judgment, and no need to make eye contact, just real connection and healing. We accept most commercial insurances like Blue Cross Blue Shield, United, Aetna, and Med Cost, as well as self-pay options. We currently have openings for new clients. Visit our website at resilientmindcounseling.com. You can also text or call our HIPAA-compliant phone line at (828) 515-1246, or email us at scheduling@resilientmindcounseling.com.