.png)
So you're qualified or are approaching finishing your training and have the skills, knowledge and experience (having completed so many client hours) to take the leap into private practice. You may dream of the freedom that comes with working for yourself; finding your own therapeutic style and finally making a sustainable income that will make the years of costly training totally worth it…
But, you have no idea where to start and realise that your training didn't equip you with the tools and skills needed to run a business...
If that sounds, familiar, maybe this will resonate too…
-
You can’t wait to get started but feel overwhelmed and confused with all the ethics and practical elements.
-
You've worked for an agency or placement and are familiar with their processes, but setting up on your own feels daunting.
-
You have a sense of what you need to set up for private practice, but are unsure of how to go about it.
-
You look at other therapists' social media and websites and end up down a ‘compare and despair’ rabbit hole.
-
You feel comfortable in the therapy room, but imposter syndrome creeps in when you think about running your own business.
-
You want to earn a sustainable income from your private practice but feel awkward and uncomfortable thinking fees and financial abundance.
-
You worry that you will have to spend thousands of pounds for someone to create a fancy website, have to get 10,000 social media follows and list yourself on a hundred directory websites in order to get clients (total myth).
-
You have a vision of the private practice you want to create, and the clients you want to help but it feels too much to manifest on your own.
-
You feel inspired by other therapists who have taken the leap and want to ask them how they did it?!
We've both been there, too!
And we're here not only to reassure you that your dream private practice is totally within reach, but to share our learnings, mistakes and years of experience, so you don't have to do it alone.
"Planning for private practice was the perfect push I needed as I approached the end of my first year of training. Both Charlotte and Elsie held the space with such a wonderful balance of experience, insights, honesty, wisdom and opportunities to welcome questions and discussion that had such a sense of authenticity through it all. It was through their genuine want to support the group that it meant that week by week I looked forward to the connection not only with them but with the other group members too. In between sessions they offered their continued support via a private Facebook group and again seemed so invested in offering all they could to support. I would highly recommend this course due to the quality, time and effort that you can see, feel and experience has gone into it.Thank you both Charlotte and Elsie for the opportunity - I now feel so inspired to continue the journey into private practice."
Chloe | May 2022 cohort
Introducing: Planning for Private Practice
A 6-week guided group course designed to empower therapists with practical information, resources and shared personal learnings from our own experience, so that you can set up in private practice with clarity and confidence!
This course will give you:
-
A clear understanding of the legal and ethical requirements for private practice (in the UK).
-
Insightful information into keeping yourself (and your clients) safe through appropriate insurance, safeguarding and data storage measures.
-
A comprehensive contracting framework that covers you from confidentiality and cancellations, to methods of communication and client context.
-
Practical prompts to help you define the day-to-day running of your ideal private practice set up including space, session delivery and clinical caseload.
-
Invaluable behind-the-scenes business ‘wisdom’ on financial planning, system support and fee management.
-
Clarity on the importance of client profiling and how this can nurture your own unique niche.
-
Mindful mentoring on marketing and mindset so you can find clients and they can find you.
-
Comfort, confidence and community with fellow therapists wanting to make a difference in the world!
Hi there - we're Charlotte & Elsie
-
We're both UK-based therapists and coaches.
-
We both run successful private practices as our primary income.
-
And we both have a mutual love for coffee, cake and plants!
Having met each other in 2020 through the NYCP (Network for Younger Counsellors and Psychotherapists), we quickly found a friendship, bonding over zoom and one very wet socially distanced walk!
Over the next 18 months, not only did we get to know each other personally, but soon realised we shared similar professional histories (both former marketeers!) and aspirations.
In many-a-conversation over a cuppa, we confided about the challenges of managing client caseloads, the anxieties of fee increases and shared behind-the-scenes tools we had discovered along the way. Most of our conversations ended with one of us saying something along the lines of…
“It would have been so helpful to have known about this when I first started in private practice!”
The more we talked, the more we illuminated a clear void between our clinical training and the actual practicalities of running a private practice as a business. Following further validation from fellow therapists, we felt called to create a guide that would help bridge the gap for therapists wanting to take the leap into private practice. And so this group course was born!
We ran the first cohort earlier this year in May 2022, and to our delight, supported 10 ambitious therapists, all at different stages of their training through the then 4-week course. With the course being such a success, it became even more evident that what we could offer and support with, really was valuable and appreciated.
After taking on everyone’s feedback, not only did we decide that we absolutely needed to open the doors again, but have added even more value by spreading the course content out over 2 more weeks to allow for greater insight and space for you to ask questions and connect with others in the course community.
The next group begins on Monday 16th May
Trang | May 2022 cohort
"Thank you again Elsie and Charlotte for the invaluable amount of useful tips and wisdom shared, I feel I learnt so much from you both which I am so grateful for! I really appreciated how 'real' and authentic you both were, especially hearing more about your exploration journey in private practice till you got to where you are today. I wish that every trainee could have access to such course with you 2 as it helps to feel more empowerment and less daunting ! It was also super lovely to be in this community. Thank you!"
Disclaimer:
We don’t claim to ‘know it all’, but we do know what has worked well for us. As therapists we give so much to our clients, but you too are worthy and deserving of the abundance that private practice can create. Feeling encouraged? We'd love to welcome you onto the course!
What we'll guide you through
Contained within 3 modules, we'll take you through an alchemy of practical prompts, personal wisdom and recommended resources that we WISH we had had when we first planned for private practice.
Here’s what we'll cover over our 6 weeks together:
Week 1 (module 1)
Fulfilling Ethical Expectations
Having all your ethical ducks in a row is what keeps YOU feeling safe in private practice.
From ensuring you have the right qualifications, appropriate insurance, a comprehensive contract and understanding your governing body guidelines (not forgetting GDPR *yawn*)...we want to make the ‘serious stuff’ as simple as possible!
Week 2 (module 2a)
PP Business Practicalities - Designed by you, for you
You are at the centre of your Private Practice; it has to work for you, not just your clients.
Beginning with the practical elements of designing your private practice (PP) including the space set up, defining your client caseload, hours and availability.
Week 3 (module 2b)
PP Business Practicalities - Your business backstage
n the room you are the therapist, behind-the-scenes you run a business.
Diving into systems that support your business backstage: from diary management to payment methods, note taking and financial calculators.
Week 4 (module 3a)
Mindful Marketing - Client profiling
You don't have to take on every client to be successful; you do have to get clear on who you want to work with.
We feel our most fulfilled when working with therapeutic themes we find satisfying. The liberating factor of PP is that you get to choose the clients you work with. Creating a client profile will help you to clarify your niche, define your clinical boundaries, and inform your marketing.
Week 5 (module 3b)
Mindful Marketing - Mindset & mediums
Marketing isn’t about ‘selling yourself’, it is a platform for relationship building.
Our course finale concludes with an exploration with unconscious mindsets and your relationship to marketing. As two former marketeers (we recognise our advantage), we will share our ‘mindful’ approach to websites, directories and social media so that you can begin to build relationships with potential clients.
Week 6: Live Q&A
The floor is yours...ask us anything
In our final week we will come together to process and reflect on all that we have shared together; with space for you to bring queries, questions or concerns to the group and to us for guidance and wisdom!
Anon | May 2022 cohort
"The course is a gold mine of practical wisdom, empowering discussion and testimony from people who have done it before. It was just everything I could have needed for private practice. The course has helped me to work out exactly what is needed to hit the ground running and ensure I am practicing ethically. I’m leaving with much more clarity on how I’m going to set up."
Here's how Planning for Private Practice works:
This is a guided group course designed for qualified therapists or therapists in training based in the UK, delivered through honest conversation, online presentations and community support.
Group Workshops
Each week we'll invite you to witness an open discussion about our experience, supported by presented prompts (we promise no death by powerpoint!)
All sessions will be delivered live via Zoom, across 6 Mondays at 6pm - 7:30pm on the following dates:
Monday 26th September 2022
Monday 3rd October 2022
Monday 10th October 2022
Monday 17th October 2022
Monday 24th October 2022
Monday 31st October 2022
Each session will be 90 minutes long, with open discussion between the two of us and space for questions and dialogue within the group.
These Zoom sessions will be recorded for those who aren’t available to attend in person, and will be accessible via a shared link so you never have to miss out.
Personal PP Workbook
Prior to each group call, a personal workbook will be shared that mirrors the content discussed. This includes super helpful links, recommended resources and space to reflect on what resonated with you.
Private Facebook Community
This is where we’ll come together as a group and share our journey with each other. You'll be able to ask questions, share challenges, talk with one another and run ideas past the us and the rest of the group.
Ready to book your space?
-
6 x 1.5 hour guided group calls.
-
6 x Private Practice Workbooks for your personal keeping.
-
8 weeks access to Facebook community peer support.
-
8 weeks access to all recorded lives (shared within Facebook group)
-
A safe space to learn, reflect and connect with fellow therapists.
-
Lifetime access to course materials.
Total investment: £499
Here's what you'll get:
Choose how you'd like to pay from the options below and we'll see you on 19th September!
Payments are non-refundable, please purchase mindfully. Click here to view the terms of your purchase. By purchasing the course, you agree to the terms.
Hayleigh | May 2022 cohort
"Elsie and Charlotte created a safe and nurturing environment for us to learn and ask questions. By the end of the course I felt empowered to be able to run my own private practice, and I felt my impostor syndrome around launching my own business had been put at ease. The course and the group were so supportive and I would recommend it to anyone looking to launch or refresh their own practice."
This course is for you if...
-
You are a therapist nearly/newly qualified or already qualified (Diploma level).
-
You want to build a sustainable private practice as your primary income.
-
You are ready to go but don’t know where to start; or you have an idea but would love a framework and community support.
-
You are willing to invest in yourself and your PP business and ready to receive the rewards of that investment.
This course isn't for you if...
-
You are not a qualified therapist or are the start of your qualification (Certificate level); or are already set up in an established private practice.
-
You want to work in an agency or NHS and are not interested in private practice.
-
You are looking for someone to do it all for you or aren’t ready to take action.
-
You aren’t willing to invest in your private practice business but still expect results.
Common questions about the course:
Can I join if I am a therapist in training or do I have to be fully qualified?
Whether you are in your training and want to prepare for private practice in the future, or are already qualified and ready to take the leap, you are welcome! As we are not a formal organisation, we are not here to police ethical standards, only to offer our support and wisdom.
Can I join if I am a psychologist or other mental health professional?
Yes, you are also welcome if you are a psychologist or other mental health professional looking to set up in private practice. The course and our support is based on our experience as Counsellors/Psychotherapists - there will be differences (for example with regard to the requirements of professional organisations) and many similarities - do get in touch if you'd like to chat over whether the course is suited to you.
How will I get access?
Once you've decided on the course option that benefits you best and have signed up, you'll receive a welcome email including everything you'll need. Throughout the course, we'll share Zoom links and workbooks in the Facebook group.
Will the group group calls be recorded?
Yes, the full recordings of each session will be published within the Facebook group so that you can watch them back at any time.
How long will I have access?
Is the course taught live?
The course modules will be delivered live on Zoom each week. The workbooks will be shared via the Facebook group for you to complete in your own time and we'll be available in the group daily (Mon-Fri) for everything else.
Do I have to be in the UK to join?
Can I pay in another currency to GBP?
Yes - when you make payment, the payment processor will convert the amount into your currency, in line with exchange rates at the time of your purchase. Drop us an email below if you have any issues with this!
We can't wait to welcome you in - we hope the course will also serve as a really supportive community.
If you have any questions that you would like personally clarified, then drop us an email here and we'll be in touch.