Posts Tagged ‘Authentic Business’

Does your practice have the summertime blues?

August 25th, 2010

ist2_492773-woman-stressed-I truly delight in summertime, all the play and frivolity of a slower pace that often comes with this time of year. However, I remember when I first began my art therapy business with children, it would be a wildly crazy spring, filled with back to back clients, then summer would hit, and my practice stalled.

At first I tried to reframe the experience as an opportunity to have time off and relax, since the school year was so faced paced. However, this reframe wasn’t going to help me pay my bills, and around mid August I’d become fearful.
I tracked the cycles of the number of clients I saw, and what months peaked, and what months were slow. In my second year in business I noticed the trends and I was able to put aside some extra savings for the slower summer months, with the hopes that during the fall things would pick back up.
I watched this cycle play out for several years and became so uncomfortable with the “feast and famine” cycles in my business. I began exploring other options to help me no longer ride the rollercoaster of fluctuating client appointments.
I knew in my heart there must be a better way, and that’s when I learned the most amazing and magical thing! I learned that clients were willing to invest (a substantial amount of time and money) and commit to a several month program. Here’s how I did it.
So if you are ready to move from a practice that has ebbs and flows, to one that is consistent and supports you, then you’ll want to rethink how you currently offer your sessions.
If you see clients on weekly basis, what happens to their therapeutic goals during holidays, summertime, or busy weeks, when they may cancel at the last minute? If your client is not fully committed you may suddenly hear that they need to take time off  (especially during a difficult time during treatment).
However, you can develop programs to support your clients and help them to commit to sustainable changes, AND you can create ways to support your business (and yourself) all in alignment of being in service.
The gifts of creating programs for your clients are truly magical. You provide a greater level of support and commitment, and together you set clear goals you are working towards, and with that alchemy you’ll be amazed at how your clients will transform.
I remember the first time I offered a program, it was actually with a family that I adored working with, and they had been achieving some remarkable results in helping their children manage their meltdowns. However, I knew there was a missing piece. So I created a 3-month comprehensive program.  I actually saw the family less, but provided more structure and tools, and as a result this family changed their whole system and both the parents and the children dramatically made changes in a VERY short period of time. Why? Because they had committed at a level financially, physically, and emotionally, more than they had done so in the past!
Here are the steps you can take to introduce a program into your practice as well:
Identify the core problems your clients are encountering
Be clear on the benefits they will get working with you
Create a unique “signature system” that you can take your clients through during the program to help them move towards their desired outcomes
Set the program timeframe (3 months, 6 months)
Let all your current clients know this is a new program you are sharing and be clear how it’s different from current therapy (more support/ specific strategies) and why it would benefit them.
When you create programs you focus on the outcomes you and your clients are working towards, AND you will create consistency in your practice. Not only will you empower your clients and offer new opportunities to support them, you’ll create a business that supports you year round!
If you are in need on more specific ways you can create a business that honors you, as well as your clients you’ll want to join me for the upcoming Create A Business I Love Blueprint Secrets link ** where I’ll share with you the steps you can take to create thriving therapy business that supports you, as well as your clients!  Click here to learn more- link platinum preview**

I truly delight in summertime, all the play and frivolity of a slower pace that often comes with this time of year. However, I remember when I first began my art therapy business with children, it would be a wildly crazy spring, filled with back to back clients, then summer would hit, and my practice stalled.

At first I tried to reframe the experience as an opportunity to have time off and relax, since the school year was so faced paced. However, this reframe wasn’t going to help me pay my bills, and around mid August I’d become fearful.

I tracked the cycles of the number of clients I saw, and what months peaked, and what months were slow. In my second year in business I noticed the trends and I was able to put aside some extra savings for the slower summer months, with the hopes that during the fall things would pick back up.

I watched this cycle play out for several years and became so uncomfortable with the “feast and famine” cycles in my business. I began exploring other options to help me no longer ride the rollercoaster of fluctuating client appointments.

I knew in my heart there must be a better way, and that’s when I learned the most amazing and magical thing! I learned that clients were willing to invest (a substantial amount of time and money) and commit to a several month program. Here’s how I did it.

investingSo if you are ready to move from a practice that has ebbs and flows to one that is consistent and supports you, then you’ll want to rethink how you currently offer your sessions.

If you see clients on a weekly basis, what happens to their therapeutic goals during holidays, summertime, or busy weeks, when they may cancel at the last minute? If your client is not fully committed you may suddenly hear that they need to take time off (especially during a difficult time during treatment).

However, you can develop programs to support your clients and help them to commit to sustainable changes, AND you can create ways to support your business (and yourself) all in alignment of being in service.

The gifts of creating programs for your clients are truly magical. You provide a greater level of support and commitment, and together you set clear goals you are working towards, and with that alchemy you’ll be amazed at how your clients will transform.

I remember the first time I offered a program, it was actually with a family that I adored working with, and they had been achieving some remarkable results in helping their children manage their meltdowns. However, I knew there was a missing piece. So I created a 3-month comprehensive program.  I actually saw the family less but provided more structure and tools, and as a result this family changed their whole system and both the parents and the children dramatically made changes in a VERY short period of time. Why? Because they had committed at a level financially, physically, and emotionally, more than they had done so in the past!

Here are the steps you can take to introduce a program into your practice as well:

  1. Identify the core problems your clients are encountering
  2. Be clear on the benefits they will get in working with you
  3. Create a unique “signature system” that you can take your clients through during the program to help them move towards their desired outcomes
  4. Set the program timeframe (3 months, 6 months)
  5. Let all your current clients know this is a new program you are sharing and be clear on how it differs from current therapy (more support/specific strategies) and why it would benefit them

When you create programs you focus on the outcomes you and your clients are working towards, AND you will create consistency in your practice. Not only will you empower your clients and offer new opportunities to support them, you’ll create a business that supports you year round!

If you are in need of more specific ways you can create a business that honors you, as well as your clients you’ll want to join me for the upcoming Create A Business I Love Blueprint Secrets where I’ll share with you the steps you can take to create a thriving therapy business that supports you, as well as your clients!

Click here to learn more

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Posted in Business Success | 2 Comments »

How to create the practice your heart desires!

June 16th, 2010
I spoke to two different therapists within 24-hours who were talking about feeling burned out. That’s a terrible feeling, and I know all of us who have worked with clients for any length of time have felt that way. It’s essential to nourish ourselves and re-charge our batteries, and I hope you are creating space in your life to do so.
I’m honoring my heart’s desire to travel, connect, and chill-out this summer. First with a trip to Washington DC, where I’m being flown out by SORE to be a part of a video they are creating (how cool is that), and then off to NY for 6 weeks “playcation”. I’ll be spending lots of time on the lake, taking some time to read, do art, hike, nap, be with family and friends, while working with select practice building clients, and my platinum group.
Sounds delicious, right? You may even want to eradicate me from your email box, angrily thinking, “Well that just works for you Laura”. Here’s the most joyous part of this, you can recreate what your practice looks like, so it honors you, and what you desire.
How?
Let’s break it down, so you too can start to see the possibilities. In the process you’ll get to engage both sides of your brain, working first with your creativity and intuition, then with your logical linear thinking.
First, get very clear on what you desire, exactly what it looks like and feels like for you to be living in alignment doing your heart’s work being of service to others, AND how you are being of service to yourself.
Secondly, you need a step-by-step plan. This is where the logical and linear mind shows up to support you, with a clear and concise plan of action to take. This is what will help you move from point A to point B, and reach the goal you desire.
When I did this in my own therapy business it became crystal clear on what I needed to focus on to help me move toward the goal I desired, it also helped me get clear on what I was doing that was a waste of time, energy, and money.
Here’s my question for you, do you have your ‘how’? Do you have a step-by-step plan in place with the clear actions you need to take to create the practice your truly desire?
Your Creative Practice Building Homework:
1. Create your ideal vision of your therapy business, what you are desiring to create. This is where you can invite your intuitive, creative, knowing side to come forward and play. Pull out the art supplies and collage materials, or write with your non-dominant hand, or wave you magic wand and wish, whatever gets your creative juices flowing…then allow space for you to witness what arises without judgment and censorship.
2.Create an action plan. Start by identifying what you desire to create, your outcome, then break it down into small steps to get there. First identify your clients, then develop your system on how you work with clients, then how you will connect with them, then how you will create a system to continue to follow-up with clients who are not quite ready, then create a plan on how to leverage your time, so more people will have access to the gifts you have and you’ll be of service to many more clients. When you break it down into smaller steps you’ll have a map for your business and you’ll see results quickly!
Ready to be handed all the information necessary to move into action quickly and create your step-by-step action plan? Then you are going to want to jump on this final opportunity to join the Fill My Practice NOW Bootcamp. This offer ENDS TONIGHT (after midnight poof, it’s gone), and you are not going to want to miss this value packed program!! …(link to bootcamp)

I spoke to two different therapists within 24-hours who were talking about feeling burned out. That’s a terrible feeling, and I know all of us who have worked with clients for any length of time have felt that way. It’s essential to nourish ourselves and re-charge our batteries, and I hope you are creating space in your life to do so.

heartsdesireI’m honoring my heart’s desire to travel, connect, and chill-out this summer. First, with a trip to Washington, DC where I’m being flown out by SCORE to be a part of a video they are creating (how cool is that), and then off to NY for 6 weeks “playcation”. I’ll be spending lots of time on the lake, taking some time to read, do art, hike, nap, be with family and friends while working with select practice building clients and my platinum group.

Sounds delicious, right? You may even want to eradicate me from your email box, angrily thinking, “Well that just works for you Laura”. Here’s the most joyous part of this, you can recreate what your practice looks like, so it honors you, and what you desire.

How?

Let’s break it down, so you too can start to see the possibilities. In the process you’ll get to engage both sides of your brain, working first with your creativity and intuition then with your logical linear thinking.

First, get very clear on what you desire, exactly what it looks like and feels like for you to be living in alignment doing your heart’s work being of service to others, AND how you are being of service to yourself.

Secondly, you need a step-by-step plan. This is where the logical and linear mind shows up to support you with a clear and concise plan of action to take. This is what will help you move from point A to point B and reach the goal you desire.

When I did this in my own therapy business it became crystal clear on what I needed to focus on to help me move toward the goal I desired. It also helped me get clear on what I was doing that was a waste of time, energy and money.

Here’s my question for you – Do you have your ‘how’?

Do you have a step-by-step plan in place with the clear actions you need to take to create the practice you truly desire?

Your Creative Practice Building Homework:

  1. Create your ideal vision of your therapy business, what you are desiring to create. This is where you can invite your intuitive, creative, knowing side to come forward and play. Pull out the art supplies and collage materials, or write with your non-dominant hand, or wave your magic wand and wish, whatever gets your creative juices flowing…then allow space for you to witness what arises without judgment and censorship.
  2. Create an action plan. Start by identifying what you desire to create, your outcome; then break it down into small steps to get there. First identify your clients; then develop your system on how you work with clients; then how you will connect with them; then how you will create a system to continue to follow-up with clients who are not quite ready; then create a plan on how to leverage your time, so more people will have access to the gifts you have and you’ll be of service to many more clients. When you break it down into smaller steps you’ll have a map for your business and you’ll see results quickly!

Ready to be handed all the information necessary to move into action quickly and create your step-by-step action plan? Then you are going to want to jump on this final opportunity to join the Fill My Practice NOW Bootcamp. This offer ENDS TONIGHT (after midnight poof, it’s gone), and you are not going to want to miss this value packed program!!

Sign up here! www.businesssuccessfortherapists.com/bootcamp

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Want a new client today? Here’s a tip how

June 10th, 2010

I’ve been getting a lot emails asking for some strategies to jumpstart your private practice and quickly help you see an increase of new clients.

So, I wanted to share with you 3 tips that I know will help you immediately start to see flow in your private practice NOW.

Today I’m sharing Tip #1 to help you get into action quickly.

Tip #1

Make a decision you are going to get a new client today, plain and simple. When you make a powerful decision and take action, you will see results. So take a few minutes to set aside what you are doing. Take a deep breath and visualize welcoming the new client to your practice. Feel their presence and see them coming into your office ready to make powerful changes in their lives. Allow this to resonate with you.  Open up a new folder for them with all the intake paperwork and set it on your desk, welcoming your new client.

Your creative practice building homework:

CONNECT!

I have a folder with the names and numbers of people who called for information about my services; these are folks who weren’t ready at the time, or we were unable to connect for some reason. If you have a similar folder (and you should) pull it out and, go through it. Give a call to each person, letting them know you wanted to follow-up and offer them an opportunity to come in to meet with you to discuss where they are at with resolving their problem.

If you don’t have a folder with names, then reach out to people you know (both family and friends) letting them know you’re taking new clients and who do they know who could benefit from what you do?

If you are nervous or fearful come from the mindset that you are there to be of service and your call may just be the thing that helps them to finally take action and resolve the problem they are struggling with. You are offering them a gift; show up with that energy when you connect and you will feel authentic and aligned as a healer and helper.

Filling your practice authentically from a place of service does not need to be so difficult. When you are given the tools, and show step-by-step how to do it, it can be very fulfilling and FUN too! If you are ready to take action and create a full practice then click here to learn about the upcoming Fill My Practice Bootcamp where you get specific strategies to quickly and authentically fill your practice!

Want more tips?  Check back next week for Tip #2, a strategy to help you create more income quickly.

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Posted in Client Attraction, Marketing Strategies | 1 Comment »

Change is Inevitable; Struggle is Optional

March 22nd, 2010

If you are in private practice, this is a good motto to adopt. You see the belief that as a therapist you need to struggle and get paid minimally for your services, is truly optional. There is a beautiful liberation when you discover that you have these transformative and empowering gifts you share with our clients, which can dramatically change their lives. When you value your time, freedom, and the work you do, you create a space to consider how you can easily and gracefully bring these gift to others.

So I ask you to take a look at any of the areas you are struggling in your business (from getting more clients, to connecting more with colleagues, being paid well and consistently, to creating your niche). Here’s where you get to work your magic. Look at these areas with gentleness and curiosity, as you would another. What is the struggle telling you? Are there areas you need to let go of, things you need to do less of, more support needed, clear direction, less confusion? What does the struggle what you to know?

I like to use my art and ask the question and see what is revealed. Often using the art allows me to get in touch with thoughts and feelings I was even unaware of.

When you become aware of the struggle, you can make changes.

So ask yourself after doing this exercise, “What’s next”?

Then allow yourself to truly listen.

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Client Connection Tip- What do your clients really want?

March 11th, 2010

I’m going to offer you tips to build your practice leading up to the Therapist Resource Telesummit March 12-14. Here’s a tip that will help you create programs that meet your client’s needs.

What Your Clients Want

You  may have an idea of what you believe your clients want, but that may not actually be what they want. Most therapists are given the gift of seeing clearly where others need support, however if your clients are looking for support in other areas you may be missing an opportunity to serve them. So how do you find out what they really want?

You can ask and listen.

Survey your clients, interview your clients, interview potential clients, have them fill out self-reports, talk with referral resources, use community  talks as an opportunity to learn more about your client’s problems and what support they are seeking.

Simple strategies, however, you may be surprised at what you find, and you’ll also learn new ways you can create programs to support their needs!

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Client Connection Tip- what’s your expertise?

March 9th, 2010

I’m going to offer you tips to build your practice leading up to the Therapist Resource Telesummit March 12-14. Here’s a tip that will help you establish yourself as the ‘go to person” when a problem arises-

Specialization-

It is necessary not only to help strengthen your clinical skills, but to help your clients recognize how you can help them. If you are a generalist, you do a disservice to those clients who are seeking someone with specialized skills.  Most therapist do not specialize because they are fearful that they will not be able to fill their practice. the truth is just the opposite!

To fill your practice it is essential to clearly and concisely state who you work with and the benefits they get from working with you. When you become a specialist you establish yourself as an expert, and your clients will seek you out and happily pay you for your expertise.

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Client Connection Tip- to fill your practice effortlessly

March 3rd, 2010

I’m going to offer you tips to build your practice leading up to the Therapist Resource Telesummit March 12-14. Here’s a tip that will help you make instant connection and create an opening to invite others to work with you-

Speaking

Speaking is a great way for people to get to know you, even if you are an introvert. Here are a few tips to get you started:

  1. Speak to groups that your ideal clients attend. You will want to ensure that the audience you are speaking to will benefit from your message, so identify groups that attract your ideal clients.
  2. Use your signature system as your talk outline. When you create a signature system potential clients understand what you do and the benefits they will receive from working with you.
  3. Don’t worry if you are introverted, set up speaking engagements to as an opportunity to connect with your audience and understand their biggest fears, worries, and pains. You can use the speaking opportunity as a forum discussion to learn from the group and share a few insights and tips.
  4. Have a way to stay in contact with those people after they leave, beyond a brochure and business card. Because if they are not ready to work with you now, they may be ready in the future, so ensure you have a way to maintain connection.

Want support in how to connect with speaking groups,  build a signature system clients love, and  maintain connection after the speaking program? Fill My practice NOW system teaches you step-by-step how you can use speaking to authentically grow your business. To learn more click here.

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Posted in Client Attraction, Help many more people, Marketing Strategies | 1 Comment »

Why Fear is stopping your success

January 28th, 2010

As much as we are enlightened by the years of training we have done as therapists, there are still hidden beliefs and fears that pop up when we are called to step out of our comfort zone and move into something bigger.

It shows up in so many ways, from passing up on an opportuntiy that someone presents, making excuses, and down playing your abilities (among other things). At the core are many beliefs that keep you from moving forward. This is true for you, because if you did not have these beliefs you would have exactly what it is you desire in your life and in your business. There are so many resources out there that you could read, learn, and access on the internet, and even if you didn’t know exactly what to do first in you business, you could get that inforamtion and implement it and that would be it. You would have the number of clients you desire, you’d have the money you desire, and you’d have the ease you desire.

Instead your beliefs have dominated your decisions. You do not effortlessly say yes to what is presented and create what you desire. Fear keeps you in a holding patterning and your beliefs pop up to affirm why you can’t do those things you are so longing for.

What can you do?

First off become aware of your beliefs. What is it that you believe in that keeps you stuck? Read below to see which ones resonate with you (without judgement):

I don’t have what it takes

I don’t know enough

Who am I

I’m not an expert

It will be too much work

No one will pay

I’m not enough

I don’t really need to help more people

I’ ll get overwhelmed

I’m not a good speaker

I’m too disorganized and unfocused

I should change for this

I’m not good enough

Others will be upset

I’ll have to discount

Who am I to do this

I wont be able to do it

People don’t want what I provide

The economy is bad

I’m not as good as they are

This will not work for my business

I don’t have time

I don’t have money

I don’t have support

I don’t like to sell

I’ll be embarrassed

I’ll be vulnerable

They’ll see I’m a fake

They’ll laugh

I’ll have to work to hard

Others will get upset

I don’t want others to uncomfortable

My partner/spouse may leave

Others may reject me

Awareness if the first step. Releasing these beliefs is the next step. There are many ways to heal and let go of old beliefs. I’ll be offering very specific tools and strategies in the upcoming tele-class How to Change What You Are Worth, and Get It!

We will peel back the layers of false beliefs around money-because how you do anything, is how you do everything. We’ll explore how you mirror your beliefs by the way you relate to money. You’ll have money breakthroughs so you finally charge, and make, what you desire! Click here to say yes to money breakthroughs! http://businesssuccessfortherapists.com/4-week-class

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What is your heart telling you to do in your business?

January 21st, 2010


Amazing opportunities are unfolding in our lives right now and all of us who are healers and helpers are being called forward into helping more people. If you are reading this newsletter then you are being called, because you would not have this yearning for something more if you are not meant to be stepping forward into the bigger version of your self.

But this is not about you. It’s not about you achieving a certain amount of prestige or money in your business; it’s more than you. It’s about stepping out into what you are called to do with your life and not hiding out in some office or agency, playing small because you are fearful. Yes, you can be of great service to your clients in these settings and I’m sure you offer those you work with your unique gifts; however, in your heart you know you are called to step into something bigger.

So the fear kicks in when you are in a place of moving from your comfort zone. The fear shows up as limiting thoughts, not knowing the “how”, making excuses of not having the time or the money. We all know that feeling of longing, which is your intuition guiding you in the direction of you soul’s purpose. It’s signaling to you what to do next and asking you to follow your heart’s path.

However, most people get stuck in the longing. They allow the fears to keep them from moving forward and when we don’t move forward the longing and the discontent become stronger. What happens in this place of longing is that you stifle your gifts and become stuck. You are holding back the reigns on your life and in your work because of fear and you become stalled in anxiety, control, worry, and other repetitive patterns keeping you in place.

What happens is that eventually we have breakdowns. Work enviornments become so toxic we are force to change, you get laid off, programs change and you find you cannot tolerate it anymore, or your bank account is empty and no clients are coming. Then you are forced to look at what you’ve been holding back and ignoring. As they say, “the breakdown before the breakthrough”.

I know this cycle all too well, and I’ve seen in myself, with friends, family, clients, and therapist colleagues. What I am learning through this process is to become more connected to my intuition to help guide me. For it is in the resistance of the next step, and growth forward (because of fear) that we stay stuck. When you surrender to the fear, trust your intuition, and follow your heart’s path, that is when the opportunities arise.

So listen to your heart. Truly it knows what is the right next step for you. Then the energy is not mis-spent on staying stuck, but is invested on moving forward. This is a gift, and again it’s not just for you. When you move forward through fear you share your journey with others and inspire them on their path. Every step outside of your comfort zone and aligned with your heart allows you to ignite the spark for others. This is why we are here; this is our life’s purpose. Not to hide and dim your brilliant light, but to shine it brightly so others can boldly say yes to their own divine spark!

If you are longing to make the big changes in your life, helping others, and in your business then I invite you to be a part of the Professional Creative Solutions Certification Program. This program teaches you creative solution methods to use in your own life to make powerful transformations, and will give you tools to deepen the work with your clients, and how to structure these methods to enhance your business (or create one if you don’t have one). Join out program before MIDNIGHT Thursday 1/21/10 to save over $400.00.

So easy- REGISTER NOW for the Professional Creative Solutions Certification Program- Click Here!

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