The Grow Your Private Practice Show

Letting a client know that you can help them is a fundamental part of growing your private practice. After all, why would they embark on expensive counselling if it won’t help? However, this can feel awkward because ultimately we can’t absolutely guarantee that they will get those results - and as such, shouldn’t make such claims. So this week, I explore this conundrum in order to help you feel confident within your marketing while remaining completely ethical. Take a listen and you’ll see what I mean. In this episode, you’ll discover how:It’s important to understand the difference between saying you can help and taking responsibility for the clients’ outcomesPeople are looking for a solution to their problemsYou need to help people make the decision to choose you, just by helping and sharing your warmthYou can't advertise promising results, of course you can't. You cannot and should not be promising things you have no control over.However, expressing to clients how you can help them is a fundamental part of marketing, so take some time to really get into the head of your potential clients. Then share your findings to let people know that coming for counselling with you is one of the ways they can start to make a positive change in their life. Links to follow:Episode 2: The clients journey into therapy Episode 6: Do you need to be an expert to start attracting therapy clients?And if you need more help with this, take The Foundations Course in the Grow Your Private Practice Club, and let your potential clients feel assured that you can help. For more details and to join, CLICK HERE

For years I’ve said - and heard people say - ‘done is better than perfect’, but something about this doesn’t sit right for me. Because when marketing our private practice, we want something that’s not just ok but something that’s really good, don’t we? We want everything we do to be professional, warm, welcoming and reassuring to attract more clients. Is ‘done’ just an exercise in ticking an item off a list? Because if you want results, you want to put your best foot forward. So in episode 34, I explore why we should change ‘Done is better than perfect’ to ‘Done well is better than perfect. Take a listen and see what I mean. In this episode we look at:Why being perfect isn’t the goalHow action brings resultsThings you can change to make a real differenceThe impact on you and your confidenceDone is better than perfect is true, but it could be harming your business. I think it’s better to get something out there in front of your audience than be paralysed with fear and doubt. And it’s better to get what you’ve written out there rather than to constantly tweak and fiddle without publishing.Get it done, get it out there and grow your practice. Perfection isn’t necessary. Because we are looking for progress not perfection. The Social Media Made Simple course, and Blogging With Confidence are available now in the Grow Your Private Practice Club, along with courses, workshops, resources and a supportive community all aimed at helping you attract more clients, more easily. To find out more about it, CLICK HERE now

It’s happened to us all: You got a call and a client booked in. They come for their first session and it all seems to have gone well as they book in for session two. But they don’t turn up. This can feel awful at any time, but especially if you’re new to private practice as it feels like a slap in the face.  So what can you do if this happens to you - and it will at some point.Here’s what you’ll learn in this episodeWhy you should give yourself a pat on the back Why this happensWhy you’ll never be sure about why it’s happenedHow to review your first sessionTips on how to manage those first session nervesPractice practice practiceThis happens to us all from time to time and the most important thing is to not beat yourself up about it. Literally, nothing good can come from that. So if it's happened to you - big deep breaths. And then calmly decide what to do next. Good luck! 

One of the frustrating things about being a therapist in private practice is not being able to help everyone that needs it, including those that can’t afford to pay.But thankfully there are other ways to give back without having to volunteer your time and energy as a counsellor, as this can really hold you back when you want to attract paying clients of your own.In this episode I have expert Sophia Giblin from Fundraising For Good join me to discuss different ways you can give back depending on the time and energy you have available. There are hundreds of thousands of charities out there who are always looking for support, and as trained counsellors, we are in a unique position to help in a few different ways that could even lead to you getting paid work.We’ve started with the easiest things to do and moved up from there.In this episode we look at:The disadvantages of offering unpaid work as a counsellorSuggestions to give back depending on the time and energy you have available to youHow you are ideally placed to offer practical help and adviceHow this can increase your visibility and grow your practice. There you go, some great tips about how you can both give back and raise your visibility as a private practitioner.And if you’re wondering how you can actually make these happen, then I have some fabulous news for you.To go with this podcast Sophia and I have made a helpsheet to help you decide what is right for you. Just go to janetravis.co.uk/32 to get it. But also, Sophia has generously offered listeners of The Grow Your Private Practice Show 50% off her Power Hour.So book a Power Hour with Sophia to discuss ways in which you can support and collaborate with charities to help more people and get more visible. Full details and the coupon code are in the download, so grab it now. And you can check out Sophia’s Fundraising for Good course here www.fundraisingforgood.co.ukAbout SophiaSophia Giblin is the Award Winning Founder of Clear Sky Children's Charity, a Play & Creative Arts Therapy charity for children in the Thames Valley. Sophia set up the charity at the age of 23 with a minimal amount of experience and a big vision for change she wanted to see in the world!As well as having a Masters in Play Therapy, Sophia also has a BA in Business Administration and combines her business acumen with her passion and experience in charity to help heart centred entrepreneurs deliver projects that make a difference in the world.Sophia has been successfully fundraising for charitable causes for over 10 years now, raising over half a million pounds for charities that have a big impact on people’s lives.Connect with Sophia on LinkedIn

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