Setting Up and Running a Therapy Business: Frequently Asked Questions

Description

Cover Half Title Title Copyright Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR Starting up 1 Why should I consider private practice? Benefits for counsellors Benefits for clients A word of caution 2 What qualifications, experience, and qualities do I need to start a private practice? Professional qualifications and experience Personal qualities 3 What things must I do if I go self-employed? Register with HMRC Keep financial records 4 What should I consider if planning to work from home? Interruptions Disruption to others Safety Waiting rooms and bathrooms Legal and financial considerations Disability discrimination act Non-verbal messages Miscellany 5 What should I consider if planning to hire a room? Costs? Other questions relating to cost Location? Accessibility? Dual usage? 6 What insurance do I need as a private practitioner? Professional liability insurance Working from home Home contents insurance (business usage) Home building insurance (business usage) Working from a hired room Motor vehicle insurance (business usage) Legitimate business expenditure Money issues 7 How much should I charge? 8 How much can I expect to earn? 9 How can I accept payment? Cash Cheque Bank transfer Mobile phone payment (PayM) Credit/debit card 10 Should I give the first session for free? Reasons for doing so Reasons for not doing so You decide 11 Should I charge for sessions when a client doesn't turn up or cancels with short notice? Reasons for non-attendance or insufficient cancellation To charge or not to charge Advance payment Working for EAPs and other companies 12 What are business expenses, and why do I need to bother about them? What are business expenses? Communication and running an office expenses Professional fees and personal development expenses An example business Two continuing professional development (CPD) events The network meeting The day conference Paying less tax Marketing 13 What are your tips for marketing my business? (1) Why? What? 14 What are your tips for marketing my business? (2) Where? Be particularly cautious about ... Other options 15 What else can I do to help my business grow? Specialisation Increased income streams Increased access Putting it together Other practical issues 16 What can I do to increase my personal safety when working alone? Initial screening Avoiding misunderstanding Further possible practical steps 17 Do I need to give clients a written contract? Private practitioners are isolated Working ethically 18 If I issue a written contract, what might it include? An example contract Counselling Agreement Agreement between XXX and XXX Appointments The sessions Fees Additional work Health Cancellation Confidentiality Record-keeping Other responsibilities as a client Review Jurisdiction 19 How could I introduce a written contract? 20 How can I store my notes? Physical notes Electronic notes Computer storage Cloud storage 21 Do I need to register with the Information Commissioner's Office? The self-assessment The misconceptions Hand-written material The European Economic Area 22 What about working for agencies? Employee assistance providers Rehabilitation agencies and solicitors Other companies Number of sessions (short-term work) The messy but important details How can I get such work? 23 Can I work with clients in their own homes? Insurance Costs Safety Conditions Access Alternatives 24 Will I have to work evenings and weekends? 25 What should I do if I bump into my clients in my locality? A professional relationship Empower the client The awkward two 26 How can I increase the chances of an enquiry becoming a client? Helping secure a first appointment Review the telephone contact options Possible booking solutions Speed and redundancy Listening to need Miscellany 27 How can I get a website? Website designers Online website builders Search engine optimisation 28 What are outcome measures and should I use them? What measures could I use? PHQ-9 GAD-7 CORE-10 Satisfaction with life scale WEMWBS QIDS-SR16 NovoPsych 29 What is a professional will and do I need one? 30 How can I increase access to my services? Sally's story Maryanne and Tom's story Increasing access 31 What is the difference between a sole trader and a limited company? Liability Flexibility Registration and paperwork Expense Seek advice