Now that you have the foundation, In case you missed here is part I —> Part I Private Practice: Foundation, Services, and Fixes, it’s time to look at how you can offer certain services in your private practice. When it comes to offering services in private practice, the question I am asked the most is “how do you offer groups?” In the past, I ran groups in my practice. There is definitely some thought and preparation that goes into it.
What Is Your Neighbor Doing?
First, you want to take note of the groups being run in and around your community. Let’s say you have a great passion for developing a depression support group. After you research other services being offered in your area, by other therapists and health organizations, you discover there are three different active depression support groups already running. These findings tell you that you may want to come up with a different group focus. Unless you just enjoy tasks labeled “Mission Impossible.”
Who Will Your Group Members Be?
You need to be aware of the clients that will occupy your group. If you happen to be conducting a group where most of the participants will know each other, you may find people are reluctant to share. This could be true in a school group or group where people work for the same organization. You will have to weigh the costs vs. benefits.
Get Your Information Together
You need to have a structure, in the form of a curriculum. You need to have a goal for the group and how you want it to move along from week to week. If you decide you want to include deliverable information in the form of handouts, movies, workbooks, etc you need to get those materials together. What type of group will it be? For example, psychoeducation group, process group, or a combination. Will your group run for a specific number of weeks or will it be ongoing? Will it be an open or closed group?
Fees
Unless you are a running a free group, you need to set a price. Alas, there is not always a simple answer to the question “What should I charge for my group?” For example, if you are an associate counselor or intern trying to get hours toward licensure, you may be more flexible with your pricing as your need to get members in the door, so that you can have hours to count toward licensure, takes priority. However that will not mean that you want to offer such a valuable service for pennies. Take a look at the options below:
1. What is the going rate in your area? You can price yourself according to the price norm that was set already by therapists running groups in your area. If you do not have a rate norm or if there really aren’t any rate norms to follow, go to #2.
2. Price groups based on community need and the economic climate of the community where you will be running the group. Know that you can price yourself too low and people may be concerned that “you get what you pay for” and question the quality of your service. You can also price yourself too high. In this case, people may need, want, and value your group offering but realistically cannot afford to get the help. Knowing your economic climate is important.
3. Decide on whether you will accept insurance for your group or not. Some insurance plans will reimburse at the same rate that you are changing.
What You Must Do Before People Can Sign Up
PROMOTE! PROMOTE! PROMOTE YOUR GROUP! Promoting a group takes time. The amount of time you give yourself should be 6-8 weeks, at least. However, this will totally depend on your networks and how well you connect to clients and referral sources that could fill the group.
Again, In case you missed Part I – Part I Private Practice: Foundation, Services, and Fixes