3 SKILLS YOU NEED TO DEVELOP

If you have decided that building a private practice is a good fit for you and your goals, your next step will be to start honing your skills as an entrepreneur.

While providing impactful services to your ideal client is one component of building a successful practice, there are many other things to consider as you embark on the journey of business ownership.

Many therapists struggle with the business aspects of their private practice. It can be challenging to make decisions about what to invest in. You also need to know what direction you want to take your business. Many practitioners experience difficulty in balancing both their sessions with clients and handling administrative tasks such as accounting or scheduling.

Starting your private practice means performing many different roles as you work towards hiring support or streamlining your business operations. Becoming comfortable with your role as an entrepreneur does take some practice. However, there are a few entrepreneurial skills that should be your top priority as you look to grow your business.

Time Management, Efficiency & Delegation

In the early stages of your business, you will likely perform multiple roles to build your practice. Not only will you be a therapist and work with your clients, but you will also be responsible for your accounting, marketing, and a whole host of other administrative or managerial tasks.

You need to develop time management skills early on so that you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and burned out. Start by mapping out your ideal schedule. Then, designate specific times of the day (or week) for client appointments, business management, and personal time.

Once you have identified your ideal schedule, be sure to stick to it as often as possible. One way to do this is to treat your business like a client. While in session with clients, your focus is on them and making the most of their time with you. This should be the same for your business. By treating your private practice like a client, you can work efficiently to cross tasks off of your to-do list. It will also help you work towards your long-term goals.

Eventually, you may want to bring in help, like a team member or associate therapist. They can help alleviate some of the responsibilities you have as a business owner.

Outline all of the tasks that need to be completed on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Then, identify what tasks you could delegate. This will help you determine what role(s) you need to fill in your business so you can focus on the aspects of your business that you enjoy.

Innovation & Curiosity

Being an entrepreneur requires curiosity and innovation. As a business owner, you will likely have to flex your problem-solving muscle on a regular basis, and making time for curiosity will allow you to learn new ways of serving your clients or find options to better streamline your business.

As a private practitioner, delivering a high-quality experience to your clients, while moving your business forward and increasing your revenue means that you will need to actively investigate and research new software/programs, and industry trends, and seek out professional development or specialized education opportunities.

Innovation is a key skill of entrepreneurship. Your role as an entrepreneur will be more successful when you become comfortable stepping out of your comfort zone and approaching problems or challenges with an active approach and curious mind rather than passively letting your business operate the same way it always has (often clunky, with ample friction and headaches). 

Sales & Communication

Finally, private practitioners need to develop their skills in sales and communication. Whether you are trying to bring a new client into your caseload or address an issue with a current client, you will need to become familiar with how to communicate as not only a therapist but also a business owner, and the face of your practice.

Many therapists struggle with following up on missed or late payments or feel anxious when on a consultation call with a potential client when it’s time to talk about rates. One key component of successful entrepreneurship is to remember that getting paid for the work you do means that you can continue to support your personal and professional goals, which in turn allows you to show up as the best version of yourself for your clients.

Running your own private practice also requires practicing your communication skills. You may encounter situations with clients in which you need to reinforce your policies around cancellation or missed appointments. Being able to clearly outline your policies and the expectations you have of your clients will ensure that both parties understand their role in your business relationship and will clear up any confusion or questions. It’s important to practice being compassionate and direct when communicating with clients.

Do you feel like your skills as an entrepreneur need some work? Then consider applying to work with a BYPP Coach!

You'll receive the 1-on-1 support you need to build a strong mindset and a successful business!