Category: launch

  • Getting Your NPI

    Going into private practice? You’re going to need a National Provider Indentifier (NPI)–or so they tell me. Here’s a handy how-to. Short version: Know your social and basic info; get your taxonomy number (that’s if you’re doing the paper app–the online version includes a look-up feature); apply. The government version of the walk-through and the…

  • BizSavvy Therapist

    Nice blog on these very topics by Susan Giurleo, PhD at BizSavvyTherapist.com. Now added to the “gurus” list. Worth a read.

  • Inbox: "A Marathon, Not a Sprint"

    From my inbox, an email, from reader/social worker Coleen, chock full of practice start-up advice. Great to get just as the blog is starting. Printed with permission. Thanks, Coleen! I am an avid reader of your earlier blog (SW Test Prep Blog), and want to give you well-earned congratulations on your LCSW. I am (re)taking…

  • Private Practice Insurance

    Pre-launch next step: malpractice insurance. For social workers, a liability deal through the NASW here. The AAMFT links to CPH and Associates. For psychologists, Google likes the American Psychological Association Insurance Trust. Doesn’t matter where you go for insurance, just go. Things happen.

  • Office People

    Another way to chase down office space in which to do therapy: Contact everyone you know who has an office. Former classmates, teachers, therapists. They’re working, but they’re not working all the time. Weekend office space? Lots of it.

  • Private Practice Office Space

    First things first–actually, there are a lot of first things: get a credential of some sort, get licensed (or find a supervisor), get insured. But eventually, if you’re going into private practice, you’re going to need an office–a therapy office. Ideally, that means some soundproofing, maybe a waiting room, a table for some magazines. Maybe…