Over the last century, one of the most significant changes in the way we view health and wellbeing is the gradual acceptance and acknowledgment of the importance of mental health, in addition to physical health.
The field of psychology — and by extension, psychiatry — was first pioneered by Sigmund Freud in the 19th and 20th centuries, largely attributed to being the father of the field of psychoanalysis.
Although many of Freud’s theories have since been superseded as the field of psychiatry has expanded, the notion of the mind playing an important role in the overall health of an individual persists to this day.
Through the course of the 21st century, both mainstream and medical thought has become increasingly aware of the importance of mental health, and today mental health is given a huge amount of attention in conversations about health and wellbeing.
Whether you’re a passionate mental health professional or a clever business investor looking for their next big project, there is no better time than the present to be opening a therapy clinic to treat mental health issues.
Here are five considerations that need to be thought about in order to open your very own therapy clinic.
Challenges Of Getting Started
As with starting any medical business, there are many significant barriers to entry when starting a private therapy clinic that must be addressed.
There are a large number of expenses associated with starting a therapy clinic: office space, supplies, internet fees, and phone service all require an upfront investment.
Additionally, you’ll have to pay in order to hire employees and offer benefits and a competitive salary.
There is also a significant amount of paperwork that needs to be filed in order to start a therapy business, such as obtaining zoning permits and licenses, incorporating your business, and purchasing malpractice and liability insurance.
Before you start dreaming about your own private therapy practice, it’s important that you know how and where you’re getting the money to get started, as well as ensuring a schedule to break even and turn a profit from your investment.
You should also do your research about the legal requirements for a therapy business in your jurisdiction, as requirements may vary by region.
Choosing A Focus
Once you’ve figured out the logistics of getting started, you’ll then need to decide on the scope of your therapy business. There are a lot of types of therapy for different mental health issues that you can specialize in.
These include psychodynamic therapy, an extension of traditional psychoanalysis, behavioral therapy, and person-centered therapy.
You can choose to offer a number of therapeutic services, or focus on and specialize in a single or a few services. Both approaches can serve to diversify your business, depending on the needs of the market around your business.
Putting Together A Business Plan
Next, you’ll have to start figuring out the nitty-gritty elements to actually starting your business. Writing a business plan can seem daunting, but it’s absolutely necessary in order to ensure your business launches successfully.
It may also be required by your bank in order to obtain a business loan.
A business plan will generally include a financial account of how much revenue you’ll need to make in order to break even and turn a profit, financial goals for expanding your business including goals for the first three months, first year, and first five years, and a loan repayment plan, if applicable.
By planning ahead on how your business will stay open, you’ll avoid huge headaches down the line.
Hiring
Once you have your business model settled and the logistics of launching your business in motion, it’s time to start thinking about hiring.
How many people you hire and what type of people you hire will depend on the kind of business you’ve decided to open.
A smaller, more focused practice will obviously involve fewer people, whereas a larger practice can require dozens of therapists and administrative staff.
Be sure to put your full effort into hiring the best staff for your new business. It’s important to consider not just an applicant’s qualifications, but their demeanor and how well you think they’ll interact with clients.
Your staff will be the face of your business to your clientele, and poor staff can cause your business to fail faster than you can even imagine.
Marketing
Finally, the most important part of opening a new business of any kind is making your business known to potential clients. Be sure to do your research about what kind of consumers live near your business.
For younger clients, you may want to pursue a social media marketing campaign, whereas older clients may prefer more traditional forms of advertising, such as delivering pamphlets in mailboxes.
Be sure to include why your business is different in your advertisements. You can even host seminars on mental health issues to reach out to potential customers and network with other therapists.
Starting your own therapy practice can be an incredibly rewarding venture. Not only can you practice your skills in a setting that also allows you to help others, but it can also be a financially lucrative business.
By focusing on these five essential considerations, you can help ensure your own private therapy practice is a resounding success — allowing you to be both a successful business owner (and a compassionate therapist) for many years to come.
