As 2019 comes to a close, we reflect on the past decade and look forward to the next. We invite all mental health professionals to do the same and ask: What are some of your greatest professional accomplishments for the year and the decade? Whether it was becoming licensed, opening your own private practice, or any other form of growth, we hope you set aside some well-earned time to celebrate.
Once you’ve toasted yourself and your accomplishments, you might want to begin considering your goals for the next year and decade. In what ways do you aspire to grow professionally? If you’re looking for ideas, you’re in the right place: Reflect with us on some of our most popular articles for professionals this year and discover new strategies for learning and growing as a mental health professional in 2020 and beyond.
GoodTherapy’s Top 5 Articles for Therapists in 2019
5. For Therapists: How to Write a Professional Bio
If you’re a private practice therapist or counselor, chances are you’ll need to engage in some level of self-promotion online. Are you prepared? If you never know where to start when writing about yourself, this article is a good place to begin. Learn how to craft the perfect professional bio to attract the right clients with writing tips from GoodTherapy’s editorial team. In this article, you’ll find a short checklist for aspects of a good bio as well as an extensive writing exercise with prompts to get you started if you’re at a loss for words. Apply strategies taken directly from some of the most successful online therapist profiles and maximize the potential of your professional therapist bio. Read more
4. How to Navigate the Termination of Therapy with a Client
What do you do when a client is ready to move on from therapy? The answer may depend on the circumstances of therapy termination. This article covers not only general guidelines mental health professionals can apply when wrapping up therapy with a client, but tips to consider in specific situations involving client termination. Learn how to navigate the end of therapy when a client is unhappy, when you and the client aren’t a good fit, when your client repeatedly no-shows, and when your client is a child. Emotions that accompany the end of therapy can be celebratory, complicated, bittersweet, or painful. Having a plan for navigating a variety of termination circumstances can help even the most experienced clinicians feel more prepared. Read more
3. How to Set Sliding Scale Fees for Your Practice
Have you ever wished you could help a potential client despite the fact that they don’t have the financial means to afford your therapy? If you’re a mental health professional, you’ve likely heard of the sliding scale fee model, if you haven’t already implemented something similar in your own practice. If you haven’t but are interested in the idea, this article is for you. Get ideas for calculating the right fee to charge and tips for negotiating and settling on a fair fee with potential clients. And if you decide sliding scale fees aren’t for you and your private practice, you can learn about creative and ethical alternatives to the sliding scale structure that help people in need access therapy. Read more
2. Time Off in the Helping Profession: Vacation Tips for Therapists
Emotional overwhelm, stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue are not uncommon among mental health professionals, and time off should not be considered to be a luxury—in many cases, it can play a key role in the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of those in the helping professions. When the time comes for some well-deserved rest and relaxation, whether in the form of a “staycation” or an international sabbatical, minding these pointers may help ensure that therapists have a true chance to unplug. Learn strategies to mitigate stress caused by routine office procedures and tips for handling client emergencies while you’re out of the office. Read more
1. Your Checklist for Starting a Private Practice in Counseling
Whether you are a newly licensed mental health professional looking for referrals or a seasoned professional looking for a change, private practice may be a viable option. This article, the most popular published by GoodTherapy for professionals in 2019, helps mental health professionals become oriented with some of the challenges and legal requirements of opening a private therapy practice and provides tips for creating a business plan that works for you. If you’ve been thinking of starting your own private therapy practice, run through this checklist to help ensure you stay well-organized and aware of potential pitfalls throughout the process. Read more
GoodTherapy’s Top Tip for Success
Like what you read? There’s more where this came from! Learn how a GoodTherapy Membership can supply you with great referrals and an extensive network of tools and resources to support your growth and success as a mental health professional.
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