Evolution Of A Private Practice

This year marks my 10th year in private practice and I've spent a lot of time reflecting on and blogging about what's contributed to the growth and longevity of my practice. As I started creating a timeline chronicling the evolution of my practice, it became clear that the growth of my private practice coincides with my online presence building efforts. I don't think it's an accident that when I began actively seeking media interviews, blogging, and building my social networks that my practice experienced tremendous growth.

• 2002 Started solo private practice Wasatch Family Therapy, LLC
• 2002 Applied to participate on health insurance panels
• 2002 Started speaking regularly in the community and throughout the state of UT
• 2004 Created one page website with photo, practice summary, and contact information
• 2004 Identified that my ideal clients were likely internet users
• 2006 Resigned from all health insurance panels
• 2006 Hired another therapist
• 2008 Hosted a local TV show for several months
• 2008 Joined Facebook initially as a way to connect with TV viewers
• 2008 Practice grew to 4 therapists
• 2008 Started publishing regular e-newsletter
• 2009 Joined Twitter
• 2009 Became a regular local TV Contributor on KSL TV's Studio 5 , a top women's lifestyle program
• 2009 Started blogging weekly on practice website and JulieHanks.com
• 2010 Started actively seeking local & national media interviews on mental health and relationship topics
• 2010 Practice grew to 8 therapists
• 2010 Started YouTube Channel
• 2011 Started blogging for Psych Central's Private Practice Toolbox
• 2011 Began writing for Psych Central's "Ask The Therapist"
• 2011 Started consulting with other private practice therapists on building a practice
• 2011 First National TV appearance on Discovery Health's Secretly Pregnant
• 2011 Interviewed on National Fox News Channel
• 2011 Named #1 online Influencer making a difference for depression by Dr. Oz’s Sharecare site
• 2011 Nominated for NASW Media Award for website
• 2011 Joined Pinterest and Instagram
• 2012 Guest blogger for Dr. Oz's Sharecare and PsychCentral World Of Psychology
• 2012 15 therapists in 2 clinic locations
• 2012 Over 25,000 social media followers
• 2013 Opening 3rd office location

I challenge you to outline the evolution of your practice. What patterns do you notice about your practice growth? What wisdom can you share with colleagues about what has worked for you?

(c) Can Stock Photo

Why Conventional Media Still Matters

I spill my practice building media tips in new issue of TILT Magazine

One of my favorite therapists to follow on Twitter is DeeAnna Nagel, co-founder of the Online Therapy Institute. She and co-founder Kate Anthony are well-known online therapy innovators and experts. A few months ago I was delighted when DeAnna invited to submit a feature article for their November Issue of TILT Magazine (Therapeutic Innovations In Light Of Technology) on the benefits of conventional media for practice building. Regular media interviews fave been a big factor in the continued growth of my practice Wasatch Family Therapy during an economic downturn. Here's a snippet from the article...

Several weeks ago, as I was walking out of my therapy office, my receptionist motioned for me not to leave. She was on a phone call and whispered to me, “It’s the Dr. Phil Show asking for you.” Thinking she was joking, I rolled my eyes and turned to walk toward the door. She replied, “I’m not kidding!” I told her I’d take the call. After a few days of phone and email exchanges with Dr. Phil staff, I ended up not being selected to appear as an expert on that particular episode, but the show booker said they would keep me in mind for future shows. Whether you’re a fan or Dr. Phil or not, it’s still amazing to me that a private therapist in Salt Lake City, Utah is on the radar of a national TV show.

Upon becoming a licensed therapist, my initial plans for starting and growing my practice did not include appearing on local or national television in the USA (Discovery Health, TLC, Fox News Channel), or being regularly quoted in national publications like The Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan, Parenting, or Women’s Health as an “expert”. However, I made a few key decisions in that first month of practice that helped me get to the point where I felt that conventional media would make a significant difference in growing a thriving practice that is reputable, effective, and trustworthy.

For therapists or any business owners who want tips on how to landing conventional media interviews and maximize your media exposure to build your practice read the entire article"Why Conventional Media Still Matters: Insights For Growing Your Practice" on pg. 22.

Why Conventional Media Still Matters

Open publication - Free publishing - More coaching

Why I Happily Woke Up At 3am Last Sunday...National Interview

I love sleep. I need sleep. Very few things can get me to happily wake up at 3:00am, especially on a Sunday morning. The only one I can think of right now is going to the hospital to have a baby. But last week, I added another reason I'd sacrifice my precious sleep---the invitation to interview live on the national Fox News Channel.

Last Wednesday I received an email from Fox and Friends Weekend inviting me to interview live on Sunday morning at 7:20am to give tips on how to stop whining. They'd seen my interview in The Wall Street Journal a week ago in the article "A Nation of Whining: Therapists Try Tough Love." I called the show booker to discuss the interview details and confirm my availability.

I quickly realized that the 7:20am interview was Eastern Time, and would be 5:20am Mountain Time, and that I would need to arrive at 4:50am. That meant I'd need to leave my home at 4:15. So, I set my clock for 3:00am to give me plenty of time to get ready. Unfortunately, I didn't get to fly to New York City for the interview, but I they did send a car to transport me to and from my house to a local studio in Salt Lake City.

After working out the logistics, I talked with the show producer about the content. I offered a few talking points and followed up with an email listing four practical tips to help viewers stop whining.

While I've done many news interviews locally, they've all been done sitting next to the interviewer. This was the first remote interview I've done. Basically, it's like a conference call while looking into a camera and responding...on live national television. It was odd to not be able to see the faces and body language of the anchors who are interviewing me. While it was out of my comfort zone, it was definitely an opportunity I didn't want to pass up!

I watched the segment when I got home on the DVR and I didn't totally cringe. It went pretty well...and I napped all afternoon.