This Business of Therapy

Month: November 2013

  • Ways to Connect with a Niche Market

    The other day, I wrote about having a niche market, in order to help clients to find you. (If you’re still struggling with finding a niche, have a look at the list here, and see what you’re attracted to. Pick five areas, and then rank them. You don’t have to commit for life to this…

  • Employee Assistance Programs

    A useful source of work for many counsellors is Employee Assistance Program work (EAP). An EAP is a program of supports that an employer provides to employees as part of their employment contract. The supports offered usually include support for a range of work related issues (including performance), and other issues such as legal issues,…

  • Do You have a Niche or Target Market?

    What is a niche market? And do you have one? When first I qualified as a therapist, I was willing to work with anyone, with any issue. With a firm belief that I’d never reach a place where I had more work than I needed, I was desperate for any client that came my way.…

  • Advertising Your Therapy Practice on the Internet

    I recently spoke to David O’Regan, of David O’Regan, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Newbridge, Co Kildare about his experience of Pay Per Click advertising with Google. You know the ones, they come up in little boxes on the right hand side of your screen when you enter a search term in Google. What Is Pay Per…

  • Six Pillars of a Successful Therapy Practice

    So you have a therapy or counselling practice, and you’d like it to be more successful? Or you’re thinking of starting a practice and not really sure where to start? Since most people who set out to do something do so with an attitude of wanting it to go well, I am assuming that you…

  • How Can I Promote my Practice in an Ethical Way?

    Many therapists find it hard to put themselves out there. Having been on the receiving end of sleezy, pushy marketing or sales in the past, they are fearful of visiting that experience on others. Mindful that people looking for therapy or counselling may well be feeling vulnerable already, they are reluctant to take advantage. Conscious…

  • Lots of Things to do with Business Cards

    So you’ve got your business cards printed up, now what? Sometimes we can put lots of energy into getting them printed, but have no idea what to do next. Here are some ideas for you… Consider getting your business card printed onto a magnet that can be attached to a filing cabinet or other metal…

  • Seven Ways to Get Past Procrastination

    Some people don’t believe there’s any such thing as procrastination. Some believe it has a life of its own waiting to ambush everything you ever wanted to do. Whatever your beliefs, there are days when you know there are things that could help you to build your practice, or help it to run more smoothly,…

  • Ten Ways to Help Keep The Stress At Bay

    Most occupations have their stress points, and therapy and counselling are no exception. Sitting with clients while they talk about their lives, particularly if you find yourself tired and drained at the end of the day, can take its toll. The financial climate at present is causing huge stress for many people. Many people find…

  • Blind Spots

    In his book You2, Price Pritchett tells the story of a fly who kills itself, trying to fly out a closed window, banging its body against the glass till it falls exhausted to the sill, while ten feet behind it, the door is wide open. The story feels eerily familiar. I can often see where…