For those of you who don't know me directly, I'm American. (No comments!) With this brings some of the stereotypical American traits, such as I laugh loudly, I'm confident, and I'm keen for change. I find, while living here in Australia, that not only are there distinct culture differences, but also very different policies on how things are run.
For example, in the States, before you become a psychologist, one of the courses you have to do is therapy. Yep. You have to experience what it is like sitting in the other chair. In Australia you don't. So, lets get to marketing your private practice.
Go to therapy, and take notes.
1. Pick yourself a presenting issue.
2. Check out some websites of psychologists to see who can help with that presenting issue. Understand what you like, don't like, and why you've chosen your specific psychologist.
3. Call and book an appointment. Did you like how you had to leave a message and wait for a call back? Did you get a receptionist? Were they kind? Was the psychologist able to accommodate the times you needed for an appointment?
4. Attend the session. Go to the appointment. What did you like about the process? Was it easy to get there? What did the therapist do that you liked, didn't like? Observe.
5. Pay your session fee. Did you feel the pain in your pocketbook? Were you happy, as a fellow psychologist, to fork over the APS rate of $246? (just kidding, I know most psychologists don't charge that!!)
5. Attend MORE Sessions. Don't stop at the first session. Attend multiple sessions. Immerse yourself into the client experience. Take yourself on your client's journey.
What you should find, when you remove your clinical hat, is what it's like to be someone who is nervous (or excited) to walk into a room with a stranger and bare something personal. If you haven't done this in life, then you can't truely understand where the client is coming from. If its all theory, and no practical, then we really haven't done due diligence have we?
Take notes, understand what you liked and what you didn't like. Understand, from the client's eyes, what you might need or want. If you can understand this, then you have a better idea on what to do in your own practice. Change what you need to on your website, apply the experience when talking with your clients, drive a better quality of service. It will allow you to reach out to the most appropriate client group and allow them the best experience possible. Now, you've just marketed to a client without even realising it!
Apply knowledge liberally #outsidetheboxthinking
