We’re stoked to kick off a new series focused on the foundations of developing a thriving private practice in Phoenix, Arizona.
We’re stoked to kick off a new series focused on the foundations of developing a thriving private practice in Phoenix, Arizona. Over the past few months, we’ve had the pleasure of interacting with a diverse range of therapists—from seasoned veterans to those fresh out of school, spanning various professional domains such as counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, and psychology. Whether they just launched their practice this summer or have been operating one for many years, these therapists have shared valuable insights that provide a window into the state of private practice in the Phoenix area.
The Changing Landscape of Private Practice in Phoenix
If you’ve been in the therapy game for a while, you’ve probably noticed that things have shifted quite a bit over the last fifteen years. Therapists who’ve been around, many of whom are now in supervisory roles, have observed significant changes in how private practices are started, developed, and sustained. Here are a few of the major trends we’ve heard through our discussions.
- A large number of therapists, particularly those who’ve entered into private practice since the COVID-era, are primarily virtual. From more than a few of the therapists we spoke with, there is a general sentiment that at least some therapists are shifting to a hybrid model and are looking to increase in-person offerings. Shifting from a primarily virtual to in-person caseload presents challenges for practice owners.
- There seems to be a healthy number of therapists who are moving more quickly toward private practice than historically has been the case. This is due to a mix of reasons. One, effective January 2021, Arizona approved A.A.C. R4-6-211, allowing supervised private practice and making it possible to enter into private practice upon graduation with adequate supervision. It is also likely that the emergence of easy to use tech platforms (think: EHRs) have simplified some of the administrative processes associated with running a practice, and at least by some standards they’re reducing the cost of administrative work.
- There is a general need for more resources and support for therapists entering into private practice. Though there are certainly stories of finding great support and community, private practice seems to be a pretty solitary undertaking. Most therapists we spoke with agreed that resources for starting a practice are sparse. They did, however, collectively note a few well-known people and programs around the valley:
- Neurodiverse Counseling Services’ Consultation Services (David Meer)
- Arizona Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy Training’s Braving Private Practice course (Ryan Sheade and Erica Tatum-Sheade)
- Thrive Therapy’s Private Practice Launcher (Colter Bloxom)
- Freedom to Heal Counseling’s Professional Consultation Services (Cordell Pearson)
- Bespoken Talk Therapy’s Support for Therapists (Dana Bowerbank)
- There is a general sense that the Phoenix market is becoming saturated with therapists. Nobody suggested that there are too many therapists and not enough clients. Just that there are many more therapists on the scene and gone are the days when filling up your caseload was effortless. Basically, this point leads to two related conversations you’ve likely heard: 1) Establishing a niche is important, and 2) Marketing is playing a more critical role in private practice success.
What to Expect in This Series
This last point is particularly important to the upcoming series of posts. Essentially, therapists need to be more strategic (long-term) and tactical (short-term) about how they’re representing themselves and making themselves visible to potential clients so that the right clients can find the right therapists at the right time. This is another reason why the skills and perspectives of a smart healthcare administrator can be advantageous for modern private practice development.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll dive into a series of topics designed to help you navigate the complexities of building a successful private practice in Phoenix. Our series will focus on what we believe is at the heart of running a successful practice:
- A clear and compelling reason for existence
- A clear and compelling vision for the future
- A clear and compelling mission
- Clear and compelling values
These components, we would argue, form the basis of a strong marketing strategy because when you make them known you provide clients with an inspiring point of connection.
Stay tuned as we share big ideas, strategies, and tips to help you build a practice that not only survives but thrives in the Phoenix community.
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