what is the best way to market my private psychotherapy practice?

Question

I specialize in children, couples and family

Answer 1

Got a license? Never heard a real psycotherapy person ask this question. It is usually by referrals from their peers or through organizations that you belong to. Sure you have a license?

Answer 2

Hi Charles. Interesting 'advice' you get here. Hopefully, mine will have some utility! My suggestions will involve two different tactics: 1) referrals from other professionals and 2) direct marketing to the public.

I am a retired Chiropractor and I often recommended therapy for patients. My list of professionals for such referrals was very small. I never saw therapists 'marketing' their services to my profession, so there may be a huge opportunity for you. Obviously, you can also market your services to other healthcare professionals: medical doctors, dentists, podiatrists, physical therapists, naturopathic physicians, etc.

Your marketing can be as simple or complex as you want to make it. Sending letters introducing yourself with a few business cards and maybe a small brochure about your services would be the easiest (most passive). Follow-up phone calls and 'lunch meetings' can personalize these contacts.

Offering to give a short presentation (20 minutes) on a major topic (e.g. "recognizing clinical depression", or "keys to stress management", "family conflicts - health implications" etc.) to local professional societies would be a powerful tool for building your professional image. A monthly 'newsbrief' newsletter that you mail to other healthcare professionals will also build your reputation as an expert and keep your name in front of these referral sources.

The second approach is direct marketing to the public. The cheapest and most powerful approach would be to offer public 'seminars' on 'hot topics'. These can be done through the local library, junior colleges, local mental health organizations (maybe as a fundraiser for them), etc. You also can do the 'rubber chicken circuit' of 20 minute presentations to local community service organizations (Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, etc.) You can get a list of these groups from your chamber of commerce.

These public programs need to be 'catchy' but packed with real, useable information. Some topics might include: "Five secrets for minimizing stress", "Three tips for beating insomnia", "Depression - family coping tips", etc. Pick topics with a wide appeal and that you are personally interested in and/or treat.

If you get into the public/professional assn. speaking routine, pic topics that 'piggyback'. That is, do a professional program on the topic for doctors and a laymen's program on the same topic for the public. This way you build your reputation on a specific area of expertise with both groups.

Hope you find something helpful in all of this. Best wishes and good luck.

Answer 3

The best ways are to advertise in your local yellow pages. If you have cable tv, and your provider as one of those "What's on when" TV guide channels, look into that. If you attend church you can post something up in the church bulletin.

Answer 4

I would say internet advertising. Sign up for google or somthing of that nature

Answer 5

Network with those that can refer patients to you. You need to let them know that you exist to help.