Therapist Blog
Worksheets for Abusive Men’s Groups
August 6, 2010
Worksheets improve your interventions and make your counseling easier.
The question of structure vs. spontaneity in running groups is one of the most common issues that therapists face. On the one hand, we want to give batterers opportunities to talk because we know they learn best from one another. On the other hand, time is precious ... continue reading »
A Brief History of Batterer Intervention
July 22, 2010
Domestic violence is probably as old as the human race. For much of human history, male violence against their partners was not only tolerated but sometimes even encouraged.
In the 1960s and 70s the women's movement focused attention on the lack of resources available to battered women. They also identified the lack of sanctions against men ... continue reading »
Get More Clients as the Courts Choose Less Jail and More Counseling
June 14, 2010
There's a revolution in the criminal justice system: less jail and more counseling. The result of innovative programs such as Drug Court is a substantial increase of court-referred clients available to therapists and counselors. For many counselors who have struggled with creating successful counseling practices in this economic crisis, the increase in new clients is ... continue reading »
Advertising for Counselors and Therapists: Keep your money in your pocket!
April 2, 2010
Despite their years of education, counselors, social workers, and psychologists often make one mistake: they pay big bucks to advertise their services. Unfortunately, one-shot advertising is seldom successful and long-term advertising is not worth the expense.
When I started my practice, I contacted the local newspaper, and they gave me what appeared to be a great ... continue reading »
Learning the Lessons of Domestic Violence Treatment for Men
March 31, 2010
Things had changed quickly at the community mental health agency where I worked, and I suddenly found myself counseling fewer self-referred clients and spending more time as a treatment provider for men who’d been convicted of domestic violence.
I'd worked with men who’d been arrested for domestic violence on an individual basis here and there. I’d ... continue reading »
Marketing for Counselors, Therapists, Social Workers: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
March 12, 2010
Twenty years ago when the Soviet Union had recently disintegrated, I heard a discussion between some young Russians on capitalism and marketing strategy. Only a couple years out of the cold, these men had virtually no sense of business. What’s disturbing to me is that many counselors, social workers, and psychologists in private practice have ... continue reading »
Ten Things Not to Do when Building Your Therapy Business
January 27, 2010
Don’t advertise. One shot advertising is seldom successful and long-term advertising is always expensive.
Don’t spend big bucks on business cards and letterhead. People do not decide on getting therapy at your shop on the basis of your printed materials.
Don’t buy expensive furniture.
Don’t buy cheap furniture.
Don’t promote long-term therapy.
Don’t take sides in couples therapy.
Don’t be ... continue reading »
Counseling in Troubled Times
December 7, 2009
In this time when people have lost money in their 401Ks and worry about losing their jobs, they get picky about how to spend their money. Counseling is less important than a redo of their spare bedroom for their unemployed son or even a trip to visit their cousins. As a therapist, you see your ... continue reading »
The Successful Entrepeunerial Therapist
May 23, 2009
These days, it isn’t enough to be a great therapist. Especially in difficult economic times when people have less money, there are too many therapists and too few clients. To make a good living, you need to be an entrepreneurial therapist, part-businessman, part-therapist. The successful entrepreneurial therapist is smart, observant, decisive. Whether you’re in private ... continue reading »
Build Your Own Successful Practice Helping Court-Referred Clients
February 16, 2009
Twenty years ago, Janet Reno sparked a revolution when she initiated the first Drug Court in Dade County, Florida. Her revolutionary action was born out of frustration with recidivism and overcrowding in prison facilities. Since then, the revolution has spread, leading to a transformation in how the courts handle certain types of offenders. The concept ... continue reading »
