Are You an Idealist, Hobbyest, Traditionalist or Innovator?
There seem to be 4 types of mental health and wellness practitioners: Idealist, Hobbyist, Traditionalist, and Innovators.
Which one are you? Let's take each in order:
Idealists: Idealists are those who have great intentions of helping people. They talk a lot about "giving," "not doing it for the money," and "want to make a difference." Those who run idealist practices often have an office, a phone, and business cards but few clients. Their idealism is so bright and shiny they assume their good work and good intentions will bring business to their door. Most of us start as Idealists, but become more sophisticated through experience. Those who hang on to idealism too long are often working for another group or agency at some point in their career.
Hobbyists: Hobbyists treat their practice as a hobby, not a career or a business. They get beyond the idealism stage, have enough clients to pay the bills, but don't want to grow the practice or challenge themselves to grow as a clinician or a business person. Hobbyists resist change (because it requires extra work to get up to speed on anything new), and talk about being "bored" if someone suggests they specialize or develop a treatment niche. Ex: "I would get bored if I only worked with women with post-partum depression." Hobbyists run the risk of becoming complacent and less-than-effective treatment providers because they see their work as "interesting," and something to do, rather than a serious business that exists to help people struggling with serious difficulties, while at the same time making a profit.
Traditionalists: Traditionalists have successful practices that they run as a business. However, they use business strategies that worked in 1999 (or earlier). They don't have a website, roll their eyes when someone suggests they check out Facebook or Twitter, and may even scoff at the idea that therapeutic relationships can be formed online. Traditionalists see successful therapy as existing in a 50 minute hour, in an office, often paid for by insurance. This was a great model 5 years ago. It is a dying model now. When was the last time an insurance company increased your reimbursement rate? When is that next raise coming? Yeah, that's what I mean.
Innovators: Innovators started as idealists, tried the traditionalist model (and may have been very successful), but realize that, in 2009, we have a cultural and technological revolution happening before our very eyes. Innovators are ready to try new models of treatment and intervention. They listen to their clients about their needs, their lives and stressors and try to provide support to meet those needs in real time. Innovators understand change is a part of life and are ready to make informed shifts in their practice to keep up with the times. Innovators do not abandon what works, rather they incorporate new paradigms and are willing to experiment with new approaches. Innovators can initially look a little flighty to hobbyists and traditionalists, but will ultimately have successful practice businesses because they are meeting clients where they are at and addressing the realities of people's every day lives. Innovators also do not rely on one income stream (i.e. insurance) and are aware that they can help more people and make more money utilizing the new technologies available to them.
So, what are you? What kind of practice do you want to develop? How can a successful Traditionalist move to a more innovative practice?
I want to be an innovator!! I am determined to thrive in this industry. Thank you so much for your blog. Just recently found it.
Aimee, You can do it! I checked out your website–very innovative! Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
Susan
Hi Susan! I love your blog! I am an LPC just starting the process of creating a private practice. There is so much to consider and to do! I have worked primarily with adolescents and their famililes in the past and am having a hard time narrowing down a niche to market myself. I also would like to work with adult individuals. I’m finding that I am fearful of being so narrow just starting out and I keep blocking my progress. Any ideas?
Elyse, don’t worry about niching at the beginning of your practice. Having a specialty is the easiest and fastest way to fill your practice! It allows you to get known as an expert in your community and is the only way to focus your marketing efforts. I suggest people always niche in the area where they are best trained and have the most interest. So if you have worked with adolescents and their families I would look to specialize there.
We can talk more if you want. Just drop me an email or call.
Susan
I am an idealhobbyiest. I read your entry with much interest and find myself almost burdened with new ideas only to feel like I am just a dreamer who thinks I could succeed in reaching more people if the right opportunity would land in my lap. I have been half pursuing my ideas for a long time and I think it is time to change that. Thank you, http://www.counsel4change.com
Allen, ideas and idealism is where we all start. When I feel overwhelmed with all the possibility out there, I choose just *one* thing to do and try to block out the rest until that one goal is accomplished. Dreamers are the ones who change the world–just one step at a time.
Keep doing good work,
Susan
Hi Susan!
I have 8 years of experience in mental health and I am graduating with my MSW in 6 months (..finally!). In 2 years I plan to take the LICSW so that I can start my own clinical practice. Like many others, I am scared to specialize b/c I question how busy I will be…however, my interest primarily lies in working with couples/relationships. Is this too narrow of a focus? Also, what would you recommend that I do in the next 2 years to prepare myself for beginning my own private practice? Thank you for your help! I am so glad I found your website!
Amy, I’m not Susan, but I have an idea or two. Don’t be afraid to specialize (see Susan’s answer to Elyse above). Always return calls and build relationships with other professionals; when you go out on your own, those people will be your best referral sources. When you collaborate with others, including other mental health professionals, attorneys, physicians, school personnel – anyone – treat those people as great contacts for the future. Keep a file with all their contact info, so you can notify them when you begin your private practice. Start building that contact list now with your classmates, professors, practicum supervisors and colleagues. You’ll have a terrific head start!
Anne, thanks for helping Amy!
Amy, Anne’s feedback is spot on. Specialize and your practice will be more client and referral attractive.
And relationships are the name of the game when it comes to getting referrals. Stay in touch with everyone you meet on your journey toward degree/licsensure/practice. Then, when you finally are ready to go out on your own, you can let everyone know you are “open for business” and referrals will come!
Love this post! Wow, it really hit home…yes the old model is a dying model and I dont believe it will last for long…I think ppl need Skype and phone sessions just to keep going in their lives…and this can be fee-for-service and it can be less than the traditional charges….interesting concept. I also think cash is better and can be less than the traditional charges…
hmm, love these ideas!