Making referrals when you don't have a practice
How do you make referrals when you don't yet have a practice? That is, how do you generate referrals? There are several methods for doing this and the ones that you select will depend on your personal style and your temperament. This week we will cover a myriad of possibilities.
First and foremost, when people ask you what you are doing or what you want to do, tell them that you are a clinician in private practice (or who will be starting a private practice). Be prepared to answer the question, what kinds of people do you see or do you want to see in a few, clear short sentences. And, this is key, in English NOT jargon. For example, don't say, "I like to work with patients with thus and such a diagnosis". Say, "I work with patients who have trouble in relationships", or "who have conflict with authority" or "who are chronically worried" or "who are single and who can not seem to find the right significant other" or "who have trouble concentrating in school".
The key here is to describe situations that are familiar to anyone living on the planet. Every parent knows a child who is having difficulty concentrating in school, even if their child is doing fine. And, every person knows someone who can't seem to get themselves hitched (if this is what they desire) with a loving partner. www.drlynnfriedman.com/committedrelation.html
There's much more to be said on the topic of generating referral and I'll be back tomorrow with more to say on this important topic.
Best to all, LVF
(c) January 14, 2010, Dr. Lynn Friedman, All rights reserved.
P.S. The waiting list to take this class has grown. Therefore, Johns Hopkins has added a second session to be taught the last weekend in April. Already practicing professionals and graduate students from elsewhere may enroll as special students. The course will run from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. Information about registration may be obtained through the university.
P.P.S. A list of all blog posts can be found at: Dr. Lynn Friedman's, developing a private psychotherapy practice
Confidentiality Policy: Please note for reasons of confidentiality and copyright all letters to the blogger will be summarized and edited. Also, I will not write about real patients. Instead, I will create fictionalized vignettes. When you pose a clinical question, please ask it in a general way. DO NOT write about real patients. Thank you.
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Lynn Friedman, Ph.D.
Psychologist, psychoanalyst, work-life consultant
Faculty Associate, Johns Hopkins University
5480 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301.656.9650
Follow the private practice blog
http://www.corporationsonthecouch.com
Dr. Lynn Friedman welcomes referrals for supervision or consultation, feel free to call her.
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