by ashley.marzullo | Aug 22, 2018 | Front Page
Dear Colleagues, It has been brought to our attention at RIMHCA that members on our Social Work Group list have been receiving unsolicited e-mails from other social workers on the list. We are working closely with Google to ascertain the reasons this occurred and to prevent a recurrence. On our end, we keep a list of social workers, obtained from the Department of Health, identified as a group. We also have a group for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. These groups make it possible to only send out information that is relevant to the targeted audience e.g., notices about RIMHCA meetings only go to LMHC group. At this time, it is our understanding that the e-mails that have gone to social workers may have been the result of someone responding with “reply all” and then recipients doing the same. Our initial suggestion, then, is to delete the e-mails that may arrive from others. As mentioned above, we are continuing to meet with Google to identify preventative steps. In the meantime, those of you who have asked to be taken off the social work group list have been. Until we have completed our discussion with google, we will not be sending out any group emails to the social worker list. If you’ve attended one of our seminars, you will still be on our general list. If you would like to be included on our mailing for future RIMHCA seminars please notify us at Ashley@RIMHCA.org. Please know that we regret the inconvenience this may have caused and are working to correct it and prevent a recurrence. Sincerely, Vera DeMarco, President, RIMHCA...
by ashley.marzullo | Jul 20, 2017 | Front Page
Please see the link to more information here
by ashley.marzullo | Jan 17, 2017 | Front Page
You’ll either succeed in your private practice… or you won’t. According to Bloomberg, 80% of entrepreneurs who start businesses fail within 18 months. I’ve read in Inc.com that 97% of small businesses fail within 10 years. These statistics are staggering. They provoke the kind of fear that often leads to people quitting before they even start. How many clinicians do you know that dream or talk about starting a private practice for years and years and ultimately do nothing about it? It takes courage to venture out and do your own thing. It’s my personal experience (in my own 23+ year practice and the successful practices of hundreds of my coaching clients) that you can not only survive, but also THRIVE in your private practice, if you do the right things. So, the question is: What Are The Right Things? What strategies will give you the edge and help you move forward toward success? Here are 5 ways you can position yourself for success in your business. This list is certainly not exhaustive (by any stretch), but these things can put you in the fast lane when it comes to getting noticed, getting more clients and referrals, and making more money in your private practice. Raise the stakes Set your goals and talk about them with important people in your life. Sharing your plans with others (especially others who care about you and those who are farther along than you) gives you a built-in system of accountability — one that can increase your follow-through and provide you with inspiration and support along the way. It’s said that if you’re the smartest person in the...
by ashley.marzullo | Oct 30, 2016 | Front Page, Press Release
Being in private practice, you probably find yourself too often worrying about where your next client will come from. The whole process of getting enough clients seems random and out of control. And when you decide to focus on finding more private pay clients, the thought of filling your book seems even more scary and overwhelming. You know they’re out there, but you just don’t know where to look or how to start getting those private-pay clients through the door. In general, if you want to get clients, you’ve got to get noticed. People need to know why you are the best option for them. All of your marketing must answer the BIG question – “Why, given all of my choices (including doing nothing at all), should I do business with YOU?” The message you send in your marketing will be much more efficient and effective when you are “rock solid” about 3 critical things. Who you are, and what you do. When people ask what you do, don’t answer with your job title or description. Be prepared to give them the information they need, to know if you are for them. Tell them whom you serve and what BIG result people get when they work with you. Here is an example: “I help people with panic disorder take their lives back from their anxiety so they can live their best lives”. People who hear this from you immediately know if you are what they need Why you do it. You can reinforce and clarify your message by letting people know what you stand for, and why you get up in...
by ashley.marzullo | Aug 29, 2016 | Front Page, Uncategorized
If you want to own a successful private practice, you must learn to sell. Learning to sell doesn’t mean getting people to buy used cars or encyclopedias. Learning to sell means that you get good at helping your customer (referrer) understand and overcome fear. Many therapists are very uncomfortable with the whole idea of selling. Somehow it doesn’t quite feel ethical or professional to them. I think the word “sell” seems like just another 4-letter word – something we should avoid. It’s just a word. Think about it this way – if you believe that you are truly meant to help others, you have a responsibility to let them know that you are there for them. You might be the best therapist in the world, but if those who need you don’t know whom you are, where to find you, or how to do business with you, you can’t help them. So, from a business perspective (acknowledging that your desire to help others is very important to you), consider the following lessons when it comes to getting more clients for your private practice. Most people have a fear of buying: people like to buy, but they hate to be sold! Your conversations and stories should help people to understand that you have benefits they want and need so they will want to BUY from you When you hear “no” from your prospective clients or prospective referrers, it is very rarely a “no” because they don’t want to do business with you. It shouldn’t end there. For both of your sakes, you need to better understand their true objections, and then help them...
by ashley.marzullo | Jul 28, 2016 | Front Page, Uncategorized
Are you still “on the fence” when it comes to integrating Online Therapy into your private practice? Although the topic itself can be somewhat controversial (from a theoretical perspective), just the idea of doing it might be compelling and yet somewhat overwhelming at the same time. Here are just a few of the advantages associated with providing Online Therapy as one service you provide within your private practice: You can provide services for those who could not otherwise have access to you You can expand your market to your entire state of licensure, instead of your local area You will have an option for clients who may call at the last minute to cancel because of childcare issues, car problems, or work commitments You don’t have to lose a day to inclement weather or when you are not able to get into the office for whatever reason You can work from home or when you are away, if you like First, you’ll need to find out the laws and ethics of Online Therapy (or tele mental health) for your state and your discipline. These parameters are ever changing, so keep up with any new rules as they are set forth. Know when and where you are able to provide online services. Find out the definition of Online Therapy in your state — Can you just use the phone or do you need to be face-to-face, online? Does the initial assessment have to be face–to-face in the office, or can you do that online as well? Can you provide Online Therapy for someone who is a resident of the state...
