RELATIONSHIPS WITH LOCAL DOCTORS


Doctors and other medical professionals are a good source of work. They see people who are vulnerable, and at times of crisis in their lives, when counselling or therapy may be one of a range of possible solutions. It’s a good idea therefore to establish a connection with them, and let them know how your services can help them.

When my colleague and I first set up in practice, we compiled a list of all the doctors in our local area from the Golden Pages, local directories and from the internet. Our approach was to write to them advising that we had recently started to practice in the area, and saying we’d like an opportunity to meet with them.

Photo no (34)We followed up our letter about a week later with a phone call asking for an appointment. Some doctors like to keep non-patient appointments with anyone other than patients to a particular time of the day. Some don’t make appointments at all, and we were told to come along and sit in the waiting room and they’d see us when they were free. Be prepared to be flexible. After all, if you make a good impression, it may help you down the road.

If the gap between your letter and your phone call or appointment is too long, the doctor will have forgotten what you said in your letter or your call. Send out the letters at such a pace that the follow up is manageable for you. If you find it hard to call strangers, write out what you want to say before you start. Try it out on a friend first, and then, when you make the call, stand up while you do it. Standing gives a greater feeling of confidence and power.

Don’t assume that everyone sees counselling and psychotherapy the way you do. Some doctors are very open to the idea as a complement to their own work. Some are not. Some are interested but not convinced. Some see our work as too alternative, perhaps a threat to what they do, and can be defensive. Keep it light. Hard sell sells nothing. Don’t expect to win everyone over to your way of thinking the first time you meet.

If you have been given an appointment, they are probably not completely against the idea. A good rule of thumb is to focus on them. Ask questions that draw out their problems and what they might need. Invite questions and comments on their perspective of what you do, and their experience of it. Don’t try to convince them that your way is the only way. Be willing to appreciate that there are many roads to healing and yours is just one.

If you are pushing against a closed door, don’t waste your time. If there’s a sense that the door could open a little further, go gently. A good book to support you in this process is How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie. Although it is many years old, it is still a good source of practical advice about talking to strangers, and is easy to read and absorb.

Some doctors have no interest in meeting counsellors or therapists, but may ask you to send in some details. Have something ready in advance so that you can follow up your phone call. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a glossy brochure. A one page outline of your background, qualifications and experience, and the sort of issues you work with will be fine to start with.

You might also be interested in this article on preparing to meet local doctors.

Have fun with it!

If I can help you with any aspect of your practice, please contact me here for your free 20 minute consultation, or to make an appointment.

Save

Save