The Grow Your Private Practice Show

When was the last time you increased your prices?Probably it’s been quite a while, so if you haven’t increased your price in over a year, then take a listen. In this episode, we looked at:The impact of not feeling valuedWhy we wait too long to increase pricesHow being paid affects the therapeutic relationship positivelyA pain-free way to increase pricesSo if you haven’t increased your prices for over a year, it’s time for a review. And remember ‘I serve, I deserve’

Have you ever noticed how the more you learn, the more you realise you don’t know? For example, remember when you decided to become a counsellor? That excitement as you embarked on the fascinating training. And there comes a point when you start to realise that you have a lot to learn, more than you’d realised. And it all starts to feel a bit overwhelming.  It happens to us all, so before you start MORE new training, take a listen.  In this episode, we look at:Moving away from the perpetual learning trapThe benefits of slowing downThe importance of assimilating knowledge2 Simple tips to help you acknowledge your learning The announcement to make to yourself and the worldHow you know far more than you give yourself credit for. So if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, exhausted and on a hamster wheel of never-ending learning, stop. Breathe. You know more than you think you do. Links:Episode 6: Do you need to be an expert to attract counselling clients?Episode 29: Slow down to speed up: How to increase both your skills and confidence

You know that feeling when you’re so excited and fired up, about to learn something new - but then it all falls flat? Yup, that’s what we’re looking at today.This episode is a real game-changer because I’m going to share with you a simple mindset change that will increase both your skills and confidence.In this episode I share:The reason why we give upThe learning process The uncomfortable truth about learning new skillsThe impact on your confidenceThe benefits of focus and goal settingOn 15th January 2021 in the Grow Your Private Practice Club it’s the Get Focussed, Achieve More’ workshop where we’ll be doing just this - getting focussed in order to learn, grow and come out with new skills and increased confidence. If you’d like to join us, check out www.growyourprivatepractice.co.ukSo the truth is, it’s important to stick with it, keep going when learning a new skill and allow yourself to be willing to be uncomfortable because that’s when the breakthrough happens. I guess like in counselling, we have to trust the process. So as I record this it’s the beginning of a new year, 2021 is standing ahead of us. I wonder how many new things you’ll learn by this time next year. All you have to do is do the work, trust the process and keep going.

You know you need to crack on with your marketing, you know all about the benefits but just can’t seem to find the motivation.  If that sounds familiar, then this podcast is for you because I’m talking all about motivation. So let’s take a look at how to get - and stay! - motivated. In this episode we look at:If you want a successful practice, you have to do the work to attract clients. But not only do that, but do it regularly and consistently (and if you struggle with consistency, check out episode 26 ‘The truth about consistency (it might not be what you think)) But we all have days when we feel demotivated and struggle to get started. So here is:The fundamental question to ask yourself How your answer to this will keep you focused. ...and a little about moneyIn private practice, knowing this will drive you every single day - when you wake up, this gets you out of bed, and when you hit a rough patch as we are all prone to do, it will mean you’ll find it within yourself to carry on and not just call it a day. If you need help with how to get more clients in this coming year, then come and join us in the Grow Your Private Practice Club. There’s never a better time because on 7th January the price of the GYPP Club goes up, so if you join now you’ll be locked in at the current low price for as long as you are a member. In 2021 the word of the year in the club is action, becauseAction is the antidote to fear - you only get rid of your fear by doing - check out podcast episode 1Action is what moves your practice forward andAction is what brings you success. So in January if you join you can attend the new member call, where I’ll show you how to make the most of the club and get your questions answered, Then we have the ‘Get focussed, achieve more’ workshop, Also the members Q&A at the end of the monthSo you can get started in the Foundations course, take action and see results. You also have access to the private practice success roadmap, the comprehensive library of courses and workshops, regular monthly workshops and guest workshops, member offers and a friendly supportive group of peers. So is it time to get off the fence and take action? Just check us out at Grow Your Private Practice.co.uk - you will be very welcome.

Aah 2020, what a year you’ve been! But as 2020 limps to a close, I’d like to invite you to take a closer look and reflect on some of the lessons it’s taught us. I for one have learned a lot - about myself, my business, life…… And to dismiss all we have experienced without reflection is such a waste. So let’s reflect on some positives from 2020 so you can get more of the good stuff in your life, let go of some things that no longer serve you and see how you can protect yourself going forward. In this episode we look at:5 Questions for reflectionOther questions to considerTake what you can from this year and use it to help you going forward. And if you need help getting off to a good start in 2021 come join us in the Grow Your Private Practice ClubAnd join before 8 pm UK time on 7th January 2021 to get locked into the current price and beat the price rise. 

Today's podcast is my 26th so that means I have recorded a podcast every week consistently for 6 months. So I wanted to talk a little about consistency, and it might not be what you think.Consistency is what we want, but you can get to consistency via different routes, and it’s about working out the right way for you. In this episode we look at:Why consistency is so importantWhy we struggle with itCreativity and waiting for inspirationThe impact of energy levels and making it work for youThe power of deadlines and accountabilityUsing rewards What to do when you’ve lost that consistencyOne important thing NOT to doIf you recognise yourself in this, then don’t struggle alone, come join the Grow Your Private Practice Club. GYPP is all about removing overwhelm, tackling those fears and taking action to move your practice forward and attract more clients and make more money. Here’s what I believe about consistencyConsistency is best - make a commitment and stick to it wherever possibleQuality over quantity - don’t post just anything because you haven’t posted for a while.Things happen, just get back on the horse and learn what you can - Protect yourself by prep in advance, comment on others posts if you don’t do your ownTake into account your personality So there you go, a few thoughts about consistency. Yes, there are many many benefits to being consistent. But sometimes life happens and things don’t go as planned. The important thing is to do what you can to prepare in advance so you have something to post when you need it. Work out what works best for YOU and take advantage of your own way of working.And if you lost consistency, just get started again as soon as you can and don’t beat yourself up about it, just learn what you can to protect yourself going forward. Links to follow:Episode 8: What is social media engagement, and why you need to knowEpisode 17: 10 Reasons why blogging will attract more counselling clientsEpisode 23: How to avoid the feast and famine cycle in your private practiceEpisode 24: Managing your diary with time blockingEpisode 12: Your Business, Your Rules: Making it work FOR YOU

In this episode, I’m delighted to have Kat Love as my guest.Driven by personal experience Kat is on a mission to give back so more people get to experience the power of therapy. So they help therapists with websites, copy and coaching in order to get more clients and referrals.In this episode we look at:Kat shares 4 main mistakes that you could accidentally be making on your website along with how to fix them.Including:How to stop sounding like everyone elseHow to encourage visitors to take the next stepHow to stop being Wikipedia for mental health issues How to write with clarity and warmth Kat also shares some great tips about really making connections with potential clients on your website via the copy. And we also discuss how important it is for your client that they get a sense of you in order to choose the right counsellor for them. Links to follow:Check out Kat’s services that help with copywriting for therapists and marketing and business coaching for therapists.https://www.katlove.com/https://empathycopy.com/And connect on Facebook Other links:Episode 3: Drop the psychobabble, get more clientsEpisode 15: What to include on your FAQ page

Time - or the lack of it - is something that will hamper your private practice success, so take control now and prioritise your practice. In this episode, I share a highly effective yet extremely simple way to take manage your diary with time blocking. This follows on from last weeks episode about how to avoid feast and famine in your private practice, so if you haven’t already check out episode 23.Yes, time blocking will help you prioritise your time to ensure your business works in the way YOU want it to But it’s not just about work, you also prioritise family, social and leisure time as well as self-care.In this episode we look at:What time blocking isWhy it’s going to really help you take control of your weekHow it will increase productivity and reduce overwhelmHow it helps with self-care, work-life balance and reducing stressHow to get startedHow it helps you be realistic in how much time you have and need. And I also share my favourite productivity tip with you too. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t have enough hours in the day or have trouble finding time to focus on your practice because you have so many other things going on in your life, you’re going to love this.And if you need help with any aspect of marketing your practice no matter what stage you are in, then come and join the Grow Your Private Practice Club and see how much difference the extra focus and support will make.

Being self-employed and running your own private practice has many many benefits to you. But one of the downsides is the potential insecurity of the ‘feast and famine’ ie busy periods followed by quiet periods. So in this week’s podcast, I’ll be exploring this, and sharing how you can protect yourself, your practice and your income. In this episode we look at:My personal experience of this and the lessons I learnedWhy it happens How to protect yourselfHow protecting yourself might sound counterintuitiveThe not very sexy but highly effective solutionIn order to run a successful and sustainable practice, it’s important to take control. And in the next episode, I’ll be sharing a super simple way to take control of your diary so you can make or find the time in order keep a steady stream of new clients to your practice.Links:Episode 6: Do you need to be an expert to attract counselling clients 

How are you feeling?I ask because I am tired and emotional, which I know is often code for how we describe people at the end of a night out after having one too many glasses of vino, but I am literally tired and emotional. By 9 pm I am falling asleep. I sleep well, but still wake tired. And I wouldn't describe myself as a cryer, but the other morning I cried twice before 9.30 am.So I asked the Grow Your Private Practice community if anyone else felt this and yup, loads of people reported similar. One even cried at a Macdonalds advert. Emotions are funny, aren't they?So in this episode, I want to know how YOU are feeling because one thing I know about counsellors is we tend to be a bit rubbish at taking our own advice. In this episode, we look atOur tendency to have unrealistic expectations of ourselvesFeeling guiltyTaking our own adviceMindful viewingYou are an expert at self-care and I bet you make sure that others increase theirs and stop being so hard on themselves. So whenever you hear a critical voice in your head, or feel guilty for doing something for yourself, or snap at others or whatever thing happens to make you feel guilty I’d like you to consider what your reaction would be if a client said that. You would treat them with kindness, compassion and respect. So do the same for yourself.