First Published in 1999. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Marketing, office planning, networking, managed care, legal liability. These are probably not the words that encouraged your decision to pursue a career in the field of mental health. Before practicing the clinical aspects of therapy, most mental health professionals must first deal with the business of therapy. Independent Practice for the Mental Health Professional, co-written by a veteran therapist and a therapist just beginning in her practice, offers the information needed to balance the demands of running a business along with being a therapist. Based on Joan Beigel and Ralph Earle's previous work, Successful Private Practice in the 1990s, this book offers specific tools for building a successful private practice for the next century. Independent Practice for the Mental Health Professional provides the reader with the experience and time-tested lessons of one author who has been in practice since 1971. At the same time, the co-author, who began her practice in May 1998, addresses the thoughts and concerns of those therapists soon to enter, or thinking about entering, private practice. In this book, readers will learn · the pros and cons of going solo or joining a group practice · the legal issues connected to running a private practice · how to market themselves as well as their practice · how to arrange physically their office, manage personnel, and collect fees · how to maintain a thriving practice in the age of managed care The authors provide worksheets and examples of successful planning for the growth of a practice. When combined with hard work and a business-minded attitude, these techniques can be a recipe for success. As a result, this book is a valuable resource for therapists thinking about entering private practice, and beginning and experienced therapists hoping to improve their own practice.

Handbook of Private Practice is the premier resource for mental health clinicians, covering all aspects of developing and maintaining a successful private practice. Written for graduate students considering the career path of private practice, professionals wanting to transition into private practice, and current private practitioners who want to improve their practice, this book combines the overarching concepts needed to take a mental health practice (whether solo or in a group) from inception, through its lifespan. From envisioning your practice, to accounting and bookkeeping, hiring staff, managing the practice, and running the business of the practice, a diverse group of expert authors describe the practical considerations and steps to take to enhance your success. Chapters cover marketing, dealing with insurance and managed care, and how to choose your advisors. Ethics and risk management are integrated throughout the text with a special section also devoted to these issues and strategies. The last section features 26 niche practices in which expert practitioners describe their special area of practice and discuss important issues and aspects of their specialty practice. These areas include assessment and evaluation, specialized psychotherapy services, working with unique populations of clients, and more. Whether read cover-to-cover or used as a reference to repeatedly come back to when a question or challenge arises, this book is full of practical guidance directly geared to psychologists, counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists in independent practice.

In this book, the IOM makes recommendations for permitting independent practice for mental health counselors treating patients within TRICARE-the DOD's health care benefits program. This would change current policy, which requires all counselors to practice under a physician's supervision without regard to their education, training, licensure or experience.

Successful practices outside of managed care result from developing personal passions, creating opportunities. . . and reading this book! Walfish connects the reader not only to real psychologists who have found a variety of niches but also to ready-touse strategies and practical references. You're sure to find several ideas to expand your practice.ùJana N. Martin, PhD, independent practice and Chief Operating Officer of the American Psychological insurance Trust --

Running your own private practice takes more than an advanced degree, memberships in professional psychology organizations, and the ability to be a good therapist. And while your continuing education and training may be useful, setting up and managing a successful practice is a matter of business and organizational know-how as much as professional proficiency. If you're opening your own private practice or want to run your existing practice more efficiently, Private Practice Made Simple is your detailed guide. This book offers tips on everything from getting client referrals and creating a positive and comfortable office atmosphere to building a strong and thriving therapy practice that can serve both you and your clients. You'll learn how to attract clients as a new therapist and how to manage your practice as it grows. This complete tool kit will help you: Find an office and set up a treatment room Establish headache-free routines for organizing client information and forms Decide on a fee and manage your finances Prevent burnout by maintaining a healthy work-life balance

The Ethics of Private Practice helps mental health professionals understand the essential ethical issues related to the many challenges of being in independent practice. Seasoned clinicians Barnett, Zimmerman, and Walfish offer readers astute insight into building a practice that is designed to minimize unintended ethics violations and reduce associated risks. Each chapter focuses on a major aspect of the business of practice and incorporates relevant standards from the ethics codes of four mental health professions. Topics addressed include planning and successfully managing a practice, documentation and record keeping, dealing with third parties and protecting confidentiality, managing practice finances, staff training and office policies, advertising and marketing a practice, continuing professional development activities, and the closing of a private practice. Full of practical tips that can be readily implemented, this handy guide will be the go-to resource for all mental health clinicians in private practice.