Abundant Practice Podcast: Episode #593 - "Getting Started While Pregnant"

Host: Allison Puryear
Release Date: November 13, 2024
Program: Abundance Practice Building
Membership Program: Abundance Party (www.abundanceparty.com)
Free Resources: www.abundancepracticebuilding.com
Contact: help@abundancepracticebuilding.com

Introduction

In Episode #593 of the Abundant Practice Podcast, host Allison Puryear delves into the unique challenges and strategies for therapists who are starting or growing their private practice while navigating pregnancy. This episode offers invaluable insights for therapists aiming to balance personal life changes with professional growth, ensuring both their practice and personal well-being thrive.

Identifying and Understanding Your Ideal Client

Allison begins the discussion by emphasizing the importance of clearly defining one's ideal client. She introduces a guest (referred to as "Unknown" in the transcript), who shares her experience in pinpointing her target audience—namely, individuals who are "scatterbrained" and may be overcommitted, potentially dealing with undiagnosed ADHD or neurodivergence.

Key Points:

• Niche Definition: Understanding the specific challenges your clients face is crucial. For example, the guest identifies her ideal clients as those struggling with overcommitment and executive functioning issues rather than purely anxiety or panic disorders.
• Impact of Scatterbrainedness: The guest describes how being scatterbrained leads to self-deprecation and feelings of inadequacy in various aspects of life, including work and relationships (03:48).
• Client Demographics: Focusing on adults in their late 20s to 30s who are navigating increased responsibilities like marriage and parenthood.

Notable Quote:

"Many people aren't interested in going to a big clinic. They would much rather go to a small private office or virtual office." — Guest (03:04)

Effective Marketing Strategies for Private Practice

Allison and her guest explore practical marketing strategies tailored for therapists starting out, especially those balancing pregnancy and practice growth.

SEO and Content Marketing:

• SEO Importance: Optimizing your online presence to appear in search results when potential clients are seeking help with related issues (13:37).
• Blogging: Writing blog posts to address common client concerns can enhance visibility. The guest admits to enjoying writing and considers it her "easiest option" for content creation (15:48).
• Repurposing Content: Transforming blog content into various formats like social media reels to maximize reach without overwhelming oneself (15:55, 15:59).

Social Media Engagement:

• Time Investment: While social media can be powerful for client engagement and education, it requires consistent effort and interaction (14:48).
• Content Sharing: Sharing therapeutic techniques in an accessible manner helps potential clients see the value offered without it feeling like a therapy session (15:32).

Networking and Referrals:

• Building Relationships: Connecting with testing psychologists, ARNPs, and other therapists who can refer clients is essential. The guest suggests focusing on professionals who are not entrenched in large group practices (05:54).
• Public Speaking: Offering talks at schools and community events can position therapists as experts and generate referrals. Providing clear calls-to-action at the end of these talks encourages potential clients to reach out (10:54, 12:49).

Notable Quote:

"You don't want to bring in so many people who have, you know, you don't want to bring anybody probably within six weeks of when you're supposed to give birth." — Guest (20:22)

Managing Maternity Leave in Private Practice

A significant portion of the episode addresses the logistics and emotional considerations of taking maternity leave while maintaining a private practice.

Communication Strategies:

• Early Disclosure: Informing clients about pregnancy once it becomes visibly apparent ensures transparency and allows clients to find interim support (16:41).
• Setting Expectations: Clearly outlining the duration of leave and providing referrals helps maintain client trust and minimizes disruptions (17:22, 21:35).

Operational Adjustments:

• Session Planning: Adjusting the number of ongoing sessions based on the expected duration of maternity leave. For instance, shorter-term therapies like Solution-Focused Brief Therapy can accommodate the fluctuation in availability (20:50).
• Backup Plans: Establishing protocols for emergencies or extended leave periods, such as providing referrals or interim contact points, ensures continuity of care (22:34).

Financial Considerations:

• Budgeting for Leave: Planning financially to cover periods without income is crucial to reduce stress and focus on personal well-being during maternity (19:48).

Notable Quote:

"You have to be clear with the people who call at. I'd say about six months pregnant, I'd probably let the people calling know." — Guest (21:11)

Balancing Personal Life and Professional Growth

Allison and her guest discuss the delicate balance between managing a growing practice and the demands of an expanding family.

Time Management:

• Prioritizing Tasks: Focusing on high-impact activities like SEO and content creation can optimize time spent on marketing efforts.
• Delegation: Outsourcing tasks such as SEO or blog writing can alleviate the burden and allow therapists to concentrate on client care and personal responsibilities (14:11).

Emotional Well-being:

• Self-Regulation: Incorporating self-regulation tools, like empathy, helps manage the stress associated with both personal and professional life (10:08).
• Support Systems: Leveraging community support, such as the Abundance Party membership and Facebook communities, provides additional resources and encouragement (22:47).

Tools and Resources Mentioned

• Abundance Party Membership: A step-by-step program offering individual consultations, group calls, courses, and trainings to help therapists build their practices efficiently.
• TherapyNotes EHR System: Recommended for streamlining billing, scheduling, note-taking, and telehealth services. Promo code "Abundant" offers two months free trial.
• Free Resources: Private practice checklists, worksheets, and additional support available at www.abundancepracticebuilding.com.
• Scripts and Consents: Provided within the Abundance Party to assist with client communications during maternity leave (22:34).

Notable Quotes

1. On Marketing:

   "SEO might be a really effective tool for you." — Guest (04:47)

2. On Content Creation:

   "The blog posts don't have to be like Pulitzer Prize winning material." — Guest (14:11)

3. On Managing Leave:

   "I just had a conversation with somebody the other day about this. She had gone on maternity leave and basically had to rebuild her entire practice after." — Allison (17:23)

4. On Self-Regulation:

   "I'm planning on three months that could be extended. But that's the plan." — Guest (17:24)

Conclusion

Episode #593 of the Abundant Practice Podcast provides a comprehensive guide for therapists who are pregnant and seeking to establish or grow their private practices concurrently. Allison Puryear, along with her guest, offers actionable strategies spanning client identification, effective marketing, and managing maternity leave without compromising the quality of care or personal well-being. By leveraging resources like SEO, blogging, networking, and the supportive framework of the Abundance Party membership, therapists can navigate the challenges of pregnancy while building a thriving, sustainable practice.

Final Thoughts: Allison encourages listeners to utilize the free resources available and consider joining the Abundance Party for more in-depth support. She also reminds therapists of the importance of sharing knowledge and supporting fellow professionals in the journey toward a more balanced and fulfilling private practice.

Call to Action:

• Try TherapyNotes: Visit therapynotes.com and use promo code "Abundant" for two months free.
• Join Abundance Party: Learn more at www.abundanceparty.com.
• Access Free Resources: Download checklists and worksheets at www.abundancepracticebuilding.com.

This summary captures the essence of Episode #593, focusing on actionable insights and strategies for therapists managing private practice growth alongside pregnancy. For further details and personalized support, listeners are encouraged to engage with the resources and community offered by Allison Puryear.