Starting, Building And Maintaining Your Practice:
Everything You Did Not Learn In Graduate School

Edward A. Dreyfus, Ph.D.*

"Buy a Cadillac so people will think you're successful," was the sum total of all practical advice for starting a practice that I received while in graduate school. Most graduate students do not receive even that much. Fortunately, I received my bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in industrial psychology. Not only did I take classes in advertising, marketing, economics, accounting, and business administration, but I also had teachers who where independent practitioners and ran their practices as a business. They were excellent role models. Through a combination of my academic training, my mentors, and my own experiences, I have been able to sustain a solid six figure clinical practice, working four days a week, without participating in any managed care programs.

In this workshop I will share some of my strategies and practical considerations with you. My intent is to work with you to develop the practice of your dreams. We will move step by step through all of the issues that are relevant for starting, building, and maintaining a full time clinical practice. I have designed the workshop such that it addresses both clinical and practical issues. Unlike other businesses, the mental health practitioner must look at both the practical issues and how to present the issues in a clinical setting. Setting of fees, for example, is often difficult for both the practitioner and the client; raising fees is even more difficult for many practitioners.

The following are some of the topics that will be covered during the workshop.

Clinical Issues

• Fee setting
• Setting office hours
• Telephone contact
• Ethics & Responsibilities
• Risk management
• Closing your practice

Practical Issues

• Setting up your office
• Telephone and Electronic Devices
• Stationary, Cards, Brochures
• Office Forms
• Dealing with Emergencies
• Insurance
• Managed Care

Marketing and Building Your Practice

• Entrepreneurial attitude
• Advertising
• Marketing
• Networking
• Alternatives to Managed Care

The workshop meets by telephone via a telephone bridge conference call and is limited to 15 people so that we can all participate and learn from one another through sharing of experiences and discussion. The workshop is equally suited for new practitioners as well as seasoned clinicians. Both are welcome.

For further information or consultation regarding psychological issues, or life coaching, you may contact Dr. Dreyfus by letter, phone, email, or fax.

You can e-mail him or call (310) 208-5700.