How To Launch A Successful Counseling Practice!

You will note that I have my telephone number prominently displayed on my website because - in my experience - people who call to make a first appointment are more likely to show up.  Again, this is just my experience and I do know many psychotherapists who schedule appointments primarily through email; however, I've found that many clients who make appointments via email eventually flake (flake out) on the appointments whereas once I've spoken to a person on the phone, scheduled an appointment and then given then all of the details on where to park, etc., that they are less likely to cancel or no-show.

In addition, 80% of all Internet searches are conducted via Google so getting your Google Business Listing up and running is of paramount importance.  You will need to have a business office and Google sends you a postcard with a code to verify that you actually work there.  Once you have set up your Google Business Listing then set up an addition (free) Google business website and try to get some reviews. 

For example, here is my Google Business Listing: https://g.page/IraIsraelCounseling

Here's a close up of the street that my office is on in Google Maps. I Googled "Psychotherapist 90025."

It is not imperative to do these three things today, but if you plan on taking insurance then you will want to obtain an EIN which you can do easily and for free at https://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Apply-for-an-Employer-Identification-Number-(EIN)-Online. Then you'll want to get a National Provider ID (NPI) which you can do at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/Welcome.do. And you'll also want to be in the CAQH database and get a CAQH # which must be renewed every six months: http://www.caqh.org/solutions/caqh-proview-faqs

Again, there is no imminent threat if you do not have those three numbers today, but if you plan on applying to insurance panels then I suggest you get them; also, if you are a counselor and a client employs you as an independent counselor and gives you a w-9 to fill out and then a 1099, you will want to use you EIN instead of your Social Security number.

In addition, here in California we must have our psychotherapy licenses and city business licenses displayed so if you are subleasing an office I recommend putting you psychotherapy license and city business license together in one 8'10" frame (Bed Bath & Beyond" has them for $20) so that you can carry them with you and stand up on whatever desk or table is in the office that you are subleasing when you are there.

1. Informed Consent

2. Informed Consent for minors

3. HIPAA

4. Suicide Agreement

5. Professional psychotherapy never includes sex pamphlet

Here's a copy of my 2020 Informed Consent form.  You need to write a form that protects you legally yet is easy to read.  I always take out two copies and hand them to a new patient so that they do not feel pressured into signing something. 

www.SimplePractice.com is the software I use for note-keeping.

1. Income

2. Expenses

Office Rent

Office expenses (phone, paper, computer, signs, etc.)

Insurance(s)

Marketing (website, Psychology Today, business cards)

Networking (restaurants, cafes)

Personal Development (classes, books, events, workshops, etc.)

Professional memberships (CAMFT), license renewal, etc.

3. Your gross income minus your expenses will be your Adjusted Gross Income

As mentioned in this clip, www.IraIsrael.com is my main website and then all of the ancillarly websites lead directly to www.IraIsrael.com.

For example, here is my LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/ira-israel-449364/

and my Facebook account https://www.facebook.com/ira.israel.5 as well as my Yelp page http://www.yelp.com/biz/ira-israel-los-angeles-2?osq=ira+israel+psychotherapist and my Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/ira_israel/

Here is a random sampling of Disciplinary Actions from CAMFT's magazine "The Therapist" http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/154a6222#/154a6222/86

You may think that I may have overstated how psychotherapists are held to a higher standard than our clients but if you read the Disciplinary Actions every month I think you will be inspired to err on the side of caution.