"No one puts Baby in a corner." Most recently, I've had a few conversations with clinicians about the reason(s) they don't feel like they should niche. Most of the concerns are around if you put yourself out there to take specific referrals, then you'll box yourself in for only getting those types of referrals.
I'll be honest, I've seen this happen all too many times. That concern is 100% valid. Today's post is going to help you navigate the tricky waters of networking.
Know you're more than your title
Depending on who asks me, my job title changes. For example, for clinicians, I tell them I'm a translator. I translate the business world into the clinical world. That works for you. As a clinician, you understand that when you're looking at your numbers the easiest path to increase those numbers doesn't always coincide with the clinical world. You don't want to over service your client just for the sake of a billable hour. If I'm speaking to a non clinician, I tell them that I work with practitioners in private practice to help them find stability. When that sentence is processed, the person I'm speaking to understands clearly what I do for a living. What I don't say is I'm a business coach. (Which is the most generalised way I could tell people what I do).
The same goes for you. You can tell your community that you're a psychologist, but then you get replies like oh, so you can read my mind. Or can you write prescriptions? Instead, try this, I educate parents on how to work with the development of their child. I assist people with finding the most satisfying sleep they have ever had. I empower humans to find their journey in life.
Change your narrative
When you're visiting with referral sources, you don't have to brain dump all of the clients you have every worked with in your whole career. Try instead, sticking to one presenting issue per referral source. For example, if you work with evidence based treatments for clients who have Axis II (I know I know, the DSM V took the Axis away....) personality disorders, you also see couples, and you have a special interest in integrative health then try this.
Doctor A) Hello, I work with personality disorders using DBT.
Doctor B) Hello, I work with couples.
Doctor C) Hello, I have a special interested in integrative health and am seeking supportive GP's who work in this model.
Please be honest with yourself, even if you went to all of the GPs and told them everything, the likelihood of them sending all their referrals to you is SLIM. Until you (long game!) build a strong relationship with the referrals you are just another clinician begging for referrals. If you make it easy, so the GP doesn't have to think, Couples Therapy = YOU, then you'll get those referrals. Borderline Clients = YOU, you get those clients.
Change the rules
Have you ever had a networking meeting that you felt went really well and then you never heard from that person again? Did you give them your contact details and you've been ghosted (nee never heard from them again)? What I'd like you to do is change the game. Instead of you giving them information, go in with the idea that your networks will give you something. "Hey, 'I'm on LinkedIn, care to connect?" "What's your mobile number? I can text you the details." "I have an article on this topic somewhere in my bookmarks, what's your email so I can send it to you?"
What corners are you working in? Has society put you in there? Did you put yourself in them? How are you going to get out?
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