I’ve spoken before about getting focussed, whether it be on what you want, on a niche or target market, or on the way you see yourself in your practice. Today, I want to talk about changing things a little. Why on earth would you want to do that?

I come from a big family, and getting us all to agree on a time and place to do anything is, as my sister calls it, like trying to herd mice at a cross roads. I often think it’s like this in therapy or counselling practice too. Just when your week is beginning to take a regular shape, a client goes to shift work, and asks for flexible appointment times. Or you’ve just got the hang of what the child protection guidelines are, when another set of rules appears. Or you’ve got to know and like your colleagues at work, when someone announces they’re leaving. Like herding mice, it can’t be done, things change all the time, whether we like it or not.

So why would I be suggesting that you add more change into the mix? For several reasons.

Change is an opportunity to reconnect with those who might refer work to you. Whether it’s the local doctors, or colleagues in the same town, any change gives you an opportunity to remind people that you’re there, and that you might be able to help each other in some way. It is also a way to revitalise your interest in your own business. Go on, admit it, sometimes it gets boring! Not the work itself necessarily, but the having the same conversations, or filling out the same forms, or going to the same places.  Change is interesting (and yes, it’s scary too!), and pushing the edges of our comfort zones, keeps us fresh in ways we might never imagine.

One way of making change is to do a workshop or training course, to learn a new skill or approach, and many therapists choose this route to continuous self-development. However, in the context of your therapy or counselling practice as a business, there are lots of small changes you could make that can reap benefits for you and for those you serve.  Here are a couple of ideas:

• Consider how you offer your services. Most therapists charge on a per session basis. Have you thought about offering a block of sessions, for a fee that is a small reduction on your usual charge? This may appeal to those potential clients for who a longer term or open ended commitment might be daunting.
• Consider how you present the service you offer. If you have printed promotional materials, such as business card, brochure or flyer, have you thought about reviewing and revising it? Even giving something a different look, by changing the colour scheme or adding images, can get attention where the sameness of the old one may pass unnoticed.
• Consider how you describe the service you offer. Language can be either an asset or a liability, as different people associate their own understanding and experiences with individual words or phrases. For example, you may be quite clear that the work you do is psychotherapy, and that may be important to you, but few clients will understand what it means. Maybe you use jargon, or talk about issues and problems, in a way that some may not relate to.
• Consider getting a second opinion. Ask a colleague for feedback about how they see what you’re doing, and whether they have any suggestions. A brainstorming session with peers may prompt ideas you’ve never thought of.
• Consider the “sacred cows.” If you’re stuck like glue to certain things or ideas, maybe it’s time to wonder about how they might NOT be serving you. The things we cling most tightly to are often the ones we need to be willing to let go of (we don’t have to let go, it’s the willingness that counts.) An example is, in this recessionary time, with so many choices of support and healing available, few clients may opt for long term therapy. Are you open to short term work?

All of these changes provide an opportunity to talk about your practice, and remind those who might be sending you work that you’re still around and have something to offer!

If you’d like to explore ways of changing it up in your practice, contact me here for your free 20 minute consultation or to make an appointment.