3 things that made the biggest difference early on
Tips & Tricks foR Therapists
Working as a coach for other therapists I am often asked what I did that has helped me the most. So here it is, the most requested tips and tricks that I make sure all of my coaching clients know.
Money mindset is huge in running your own business. And the odd thing is most of us have some hang-ups with money regardless of our background. I’ve worked with people who grew up in wealthy families and feel guilty about making money. People healing the wounds of their ancestors’ experience of slavery through earning a living for their work. People who grew up in poverty and are grappling with a sense of survivors’ guilt and identity shift. My point is that regardless of where you came from, it’s normal to have some hang-ups around money. It’s also important to start dealing with money on multiple levels include the real, tangible one. Here is what I recommend:
1. Look at your bank account every day
This gets you used to interacting with your money. It’s kind of like exposure therapy. Money can be really intimidating. Many of us don’t feel particularly competent and so we avoid interacting with it. Looking at your bank account every day helps reduce fear over time. It also helps you track what’s actually happening with your money. You’re less likely to overspend or have bills catch you off guard. You’ll learn things that I can’t even think of because it’s you and your money. You’ve got your own unique relationship. You’ll see your habits. You’ll notice things you’ve never noticed before. You’ll learn about yourself. You’ll see all the thoughts and fears that come up when you do this. And most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to work through them. This takes time. So the sooner you get started the better. Don’t rush. But don’t stop.
Therapists have got tons of training on how to sit with people, provide excellent care, and do really deep work. A lot of us wish that this was all we had to do. But it’s not. Running your own business includes pricing your services appropriately, managing finances, marketing, customer relations, and sometimes managing a team of people (your accountant, assistant, and/or intern). All businesses have to navigate these factors, including non-therapy businesses. So get cozy with other entrepreneurs and talk shop.
2. Spend time with other entrepreneurs who aren’t therapists
When we spend time with other therapists we often end up in a mini consultation. We love our work and that’s great. It’s also important to have time to nurture your business, the non-clinical parts. Meeting with non-therapist business owners is a great way to do this. Their perspective is invaluable. They’ll share about their own experiences and you’ll learn things you never would have thought of on your own or in a conversation with another therapist.
When you’re starting from scratch, fresh out of school with a teensy-weensy caseload, and a big pile of student debt, it’s normal to want to bootstrap it. I am the queen of bootstrapping and being “scrappy.” By far, the edgiest things I’ve done in my business is investing in my team, which is another way of saying, investing in myself.
3. Invest $$$$ in yourself, your team, your business
My first big investment was hiring my coach. It was more money than I was comfortable with and that was a good thing. It forced me to grow on a personal level (I had to do some work around abundance) and it helped my business to grow (charging more for my services didn’t seem so crazy). Next, I hired an accountant (whom I LOVE). This was also edgy but after months of attempting to do my own books and doing is poorly, I decided that one master’s degree was enough. Sure, I could do it myself. I could even figure out how to do it well. But I wasn’t interested in devoting the time and energy it would require to know as much as my accountant does. Rather than attempting to make myself into a person who cares about accounting, I decided to hire someone who does. The amount of relief I felt was immense. Now I have someone on my side who makes sure he stays abreast of what’s important. I can trust him to make sure I know what I need to know, can go to him with my questions. I know the financials of my business are in capable hands. As time has gone on, I’ve hired more support staff and it has made a world of difference. It helps me remember that what I do is real and valuable. I don’t have to be an expert in everything. It’s okay to ask for and get help. It also helps to keep money flowing. Stagnant money in business is no good. My supervisor for many years would remind me that money is energy. We’ve got to keep it flowing. Invest it wisely in yourself and in others whom you believe in and watch it come back.
