OM DENNE EPISODE
Starting a Canadian private practice can be such an exciting time in your life, but also very overwhelming!
This means that sometimes things can get missed, or too much time can be spent on one task, running the risk of other important steps falling through the cracks. In private practice, anything missing could have serious consequences! It is important to be thorough.
So, I thought it would be helpful to share a couple of common mistakes and how to avoid them!
In this episode:
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Waiting for perfect clarity before launching
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Using US advice without adapting to Canada
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Underestimating privacy/security needs for a Canadian practice
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Setting policies too late
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Not blocking out consistent admin time
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Growing before your foundations are stable
Waiting for perfect clarity before launching
The cost of waiting for perfect clarity can be months of delay in launching your practice, which can lead to lost revenue and delays in building up your clientele base.
That's why I love using WordPress. It gives you everything you need to start your website. With its built-in optimization and responsive, mobile-ready themes, there's no limit to who you can reach with your new website. No matter the size of your budget, WordPress has a plan that's right for you!
Using US advice without adapting to Canada
'Sometimes, [US-based advice] does not apply in Canada or in your province, so you want to make sure you are listening to Canadian content like this podcast! Or other Canadian podcasts, or Canadian websites talking about private practice in Canada.' - Jules Smith
For example, many provinces require all healthcare data to be stored on Canadian servers. So, if you have been only listening to US-based advice, you may have accidentally purchased a subscription to a US-based private practice management system, which could place you in some hot water!
I highly recommend using JaneApp for a Canadian practice management system. Jane offers online booking, charting, scheduling, secure video, and invoicing on one secure, beautifully designed system. It makes admin a breeze and maintains an effective workflow.
Underestimating privacy/security needs for a Canadian practice
To send secure emails and keep my communication safe, I use and recommend Hushmail.
Hushmail protects your clients by adding encryption to your emails, web forms, and e-signatures. It's secure, PIPEDA-compliant, and trusted by healthcare professionals worldwide. Plus, all of their servers are in Canada!
Additionally, consider Nord VPN. It helps protect your internet connection and privacy online when working. VPN stands for "virtual private network," and it creates an encrypted tunnel for your data, protects your online identity by hiding your IP address, and allows you to use public Wi-Fi hotspots safely.
Setting policies too late
While it is true that you don't need everything to be perfect before launching your private practice, setting up your policies before you launch is essential.
I know this can be a lot to research, think about, and write. So, you can always purchase my Fearless Practice Scripts that go over all of those policies. You can edit and discuss them with your attorney before publishing them for your practice's launch.
Not blocking out consistent admin time
I highly recommend reserving admin time and completing it between sessions. If you don't stay on top of your admin, it can lead to chronic stress, not being present with clients, and feeling overwhelmed.
Growing before your foundations are stable
Sometimes you want a group private practice right away, so you start hiring therapists within the first couple of months of starting your private practice.
While some therapists may pull it off, for most therapists, this rapid growth pace may lead to burnout and overwhelm, and even risk associate or client dissatisfaction.
Connect with me:
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Katie McLean: Combining Two Master's Degrees into One Practice | EP 202
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free)
Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free!
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