Episode #618: Doctors' Offices, Workshops, & Naysayers

Summary

Abundant Practice Podcast: Episode #618 - Doctors' Offices, Workshops, & Naysayers

Release Date: February 5, 2025
Host: Allison Puryear

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Introduction

In Episode #618 of the Abundant Practice Podcast, host Allison Puryear engages in a comprehensive discussion with her guest, Holly, focusing on effective strategies for networking with doctors, marketing specialized workshops, and managing negative perceptions around private pay rates in therapy practices. This episode offers valuable insights for therapists aiming to build sustainable and fulfilling private practices.

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Navigating HIPAA Compliance with Email Communications

Allison kicks off the episode by addressing a common challenge therapists face: maintaining HIPAA-compliant email communications. She introduces Palbox as a solution, emphasizing its seamless integration with existing email platforms like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.

"Even if you're paying for a business Google Workspace account and have a signed BAA, your emails still aren't 100% compliant. That's where Palbox comes in."
(00:00)

Palbox ensures that all outgoing emails meet HIPAA standards without requiring users to navigate separate portals, offering peace of mind for therapists concerned about compliance.

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Deep Dive into TherapyNotes Platform

Continuing the discussion on essential tools for private practices, Allison highlights the features and commitment of the TherapyNotes platform. She praises their customer-centric approach and the platform's robust functionalities that support therapists in managing their practices effectively.

"They also take member suggestions and implement those that there's client demand for, like Therapy Search, an included listing service that helps clients find you."
(02:30)

Allison underscores that TherapyNotes remains independently owned, ensuring that the focus stays on enhancing user experience rather than succumbing to investor-driven priorities. She encourages listeners to take advantage of the platform’s two-month free trial using the promo code provided.

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Guest Segment: Holly’s Challenges and Goals

Holly joins the conversation seeking guidance on two primary areas:

1. Networking with Doctors: Holly aims to establish connections with medical professionals to expand her referral network.
2. Marketing a Specialized Workshop: She is preparing to launch a workshop focused on using CBD sex oil to address pelvic floor pain in women and seeks effective marketing strategies.

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Effective Strategies for Networking with Doctors

Allison provides Holly with actionable steps to initiate and build relationships with doctors' offices:

• Identify the Right Contact: Target referral coordinators rather than trying to meet directly with primary care physicians or specialists.

  "You're unlikely to sit down for coffee with a primary care physician... what you're going to want to do is call and ask to talk to the referral coordinator."
  (03:32)

• Craft a Concise Script: Prepare a brief and clear introduction that highlights specialization and the mutual benefits of collaboration.

  "I'm a therapist who specializes in sexual dysfunction... I'd love to find out how to get on your referral list."
  (04:32)

• Offer Value-Added Services: Suggest conducting educational talks or workshops to support the medical office and demonstrate expertise.

  "I could do a lunch and learn, if that would be good... the nurses are the ones with the power in all of the healthcare anyway."
  (05:18)

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Marketing Specialized Workshops and Utilizing Social Media

Holly discusses her upcoming workshop centered on CBD sex oil for women experiencing pelvic floor pain. Allison advises on positioning and marketing strategies:

• Workshop Naming: Choose a name that is both discreet and descriptive to make attendees comfortable discussing vulnerable topics.

  "Since this is about vaginal health or vaginal pain, I would target pelvic PTs... functional medicine docs who are struggling."
  (09:28)

• Leveraging Facebook Ads: Given the platform's evolving policies on sensitive topics, Allison recommends starting with boosted posts to gauge engagement before investing in complex ad campaigns.

  "I might try boosting a post first because it's gonna be less expensive and you're gonna be able to..."
  (07:55)

• Targeted Networking: Broadening the outreach beyond medical doctors to include acupuncturists, functional medicine practitioners, and other allied health professionals can enhance workshop visibility.

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Addressing Negative Feedback on Private Pay Rates

A significant portion of the episode delves into how therapists like Holly can handle criticism regarding high private pay rates:

• Understanding Criticism: Allison explains that negative remarks about pricing often stem from others' unresolved issues or differing business models.

  "The shaming piece is an indication that work hasn't been done."
  (14:55)

• Maintaining Confidence: Holly is encouraged to reaffirm her value and the quality of her services, emphasizing the reinvestment of her earnings back into her practice and client care.

  "I work hard. A lot of the money and effort that I make, I put back into the populations that I treat."
  (13:12)

• Selective Networking: Allison advises focusing on building relationships with like-minded professionals who respect and understand the value of private pay models, thereby minimizing exposure to negativity.

  "Look at how did you find these people and how do you stop finding them."
  (14:08)

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Harnessing Community Support

Allison highlights the importance of community and peer support in overcoming challenges associated with private practice. Engaging with supportive networks, such as Facebook groups or professional communities, can provide the necessary encouragement and validation.

"Calling your buddies who are also private pay can help. Community can make us sick or it can make us."
(16:07)

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Conclusion and Key Takeaways

In this episode, Allison Puryear effectively guides Holly through the intricacies of expanding her private practice by:

• Ensuring HIPAA compliance through reliable tools like Palbox.
• Leveraging platforms like TherapyNotes for efficient practice management.
• Strategically networking with medical professionals to build a robust referral system.
• Marketing specialized workshops with sensitivity and precision.
• Handling negative perceptions around private pay rates with confidence and selective networking.
• Emphasizing the importance of community support to sustain motivation and resilience.

Therapists listening to this episode will gain practical strategies and moral support to navigate the challenges of building a successful and fulfilling private practice.

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Resources Mentioned:

• Palbox: paubox.com | Use code ABUNDANT for $250 off the first year.
• TherapyNotes: therapynotes.com | Use promo code ABUNDANT for two months free.
• Abundance Practice Building: abundancepracticebuilding.com | Free checklist and worksheets available.

For further assistance, contact the Abundance Practice Building team at [e-mail].

Transcript

[A]

Foreign hi, welcome to the Abundant Practice Podcast. I'm Alison from Abundance Practice Building. I have a nearly diagnosable obsession with helping therapists build sustainable, joy filled private practices, just like I've done for tens of thousands of therapists across the world. I'm excited to help you too. If you want to fill your practice with ideal clients, we have loads of free resources and paid support. Go to abundance practice building.com Links all right, onto the show. Some of y'all aren't sending HIPAA compliant email and it's a problem. Even if you're paying for a business Google Workspace account and have a signed BAA, your emails still aren't 100% compliant. That's where Palbox comes in. You can connect Palbox to your Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 email one time and you're completely covered. No one has to sign into portals. It sends and it shows up like any other email behind the scenes. Powbox software checks the security settings of the recipient and ensures that the email is sent properly so you're not violating HIPAA in the ways you may accidentally be. Now, I know HIPAA isn't sexy, but we don't avoid compliance in an Abundant practice. We check the boxes we need to check and this is the easiest way to do that with email. Check out my [e-mail] that's P A U B O X Use Code abundant to get $250 off your first year of Powell Box. That makes it less than $100 for your first year. Again, that's P A U B O X.com use code ABUNDANT so I've talked about TherapyNotes on here for years. I could talk about the features and the benefits in my sleep. But there are a couple things I want you to know about therapynotes that doesn't typically make it into an ad script. First is that they actually care if you like their platform. They don't only make themselves available on the phone to troubleshoot so you don't pull your hair out when you get stuck. They also take member suggestions and implement those that there's client demand for, like Therapy Search, an included listing service that helps clients find you internal and external secure messaging clinical outcome measures to keep an eye on how your clients are progressing. A super smooth super bill process, real time eligibility to check on your client's insurance. In my conversations with the employees there at all levels, they all really believe in their product and they want you to love it too. Second, they are proudly independently owned. Why should you care about that because as soon as venture capital becomes involved, the focus shifts from making customers happy to making investors happy. Prices go way up, innovation plateaus. Making more money with as little output as possible becomes the number one focus. With over 100,000 therapists using their platform, they've been able to stay incredibly successful. And they don't have to sacrifice your experience to stay there. You can try two months [e-mail] with the coupon code Abundant. Holly, how you doing?

[B]

I'm good. How are you?

[A]

Good, I'm good. What would be most helpful today?

[B]

Okay, so a couple things. Best way to network with doctors. And then I have a workshop that I've been preparing, but I'm like, ah, how do I market this? So I watched the Facebook ads, so I have a few questions about how to go about all of that as well.

[A]

Awesome. Very cool. Okay, well, let's start with. Start with doctors, because that one's actually a pretty quick ish answer.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You're unlikely to sit down for coffee with a primary care physician or a gynecologist or most of these kinds of docs. You may get that with a psychiatrist or psych NP or psych pa. But for somebody like a pcp, what you're going to want to do is call and ask to talk to the referral coordinator.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Most of the big offices have a referral coordinator. If they're not super big, then they might just be the front desk person.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

So I would have a little script in front of you so that you are brief because they really value brevity and just say like, I'm Holly. I work with some patients in your practice. If you do, or I have heard about you, even if it's through the Internet, you know, and I think we are likely to share some patients at some point. I'd love to find out how to get on your referral list.

[B]

Okay. So I don't even need to be like, I'm a licensed professional counselor. I work with sexual issues.

[A]

I think talking about especially sexual issues, because so few therapists do. I think it would benefit you to say, I'm a therapist who specializes in sexual dysfunction. If we're going to go like, if that's what you're specializing in, because we want to use the medical language. We want to use their language, even though we're like, you're not dysfunctional. So to just name it what they would name it. Meet them where they're at.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And yeah, just ask how to get on the referral list.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And with that kind of specialty. It might also benefit you to offer to do a talk if it would ask them if it would be beneficial. Like, if there's anything that I could do to support your office around, like, education of the psych side of it, I'm happy to. Just let me know.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And then if you do, like, a lunch and learn, like, you could say, like, I could do a lunch and learn, if that would be good. You're more likely to get nurses in the room than doctors, but the nurses are the ones with the power and all of the healthcare anyway, so.

[B]

Right. They interact with the patients more. Yeah, the time. Okay, cool.

[A]

So let's talk about your workshop. Tell me all about it.

[B]

So it's. I partnered with a company called Forea. They do CBD sex oil, and it's for women who have pelvic floor pain. So mainly for, like, heterosexual women that struggle with, like, penetrative sex. That. That's my focus. Got it.

[A]

And so are you talking, like, are you promoting this oil in your workshop? Is it just like, they're helping fund you doing it?

[B]

Yeah, it's kind of just like a free little gift to give away, but also, you know, a solution. So we're going to be talking about different solutions to resolve the pain that they're experiencing during intercourse. And so it's a solution. And so they get to go home with a little sample and, you know, have something immediately that they could test out if they wanted to.

[A]

Okay. And is this more. This is like, primarily more vaginismus presenting, More perimenopause menopause presenting. Like, does that. Does everything work for both.

[B]

All of the above. Yeah. Vod. All those things.

[A]

So awesome. So is this catered more towards referral partners or towards potential clients?

[B]

I would say, like, potential clients is what I'm hoping.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

How I hoping to cast than that.

[A]

Okay, so we're going to pair this with your conversation with these doctor's offices then.

[B]

Okay. Okay.

[A]

And maybe like, pelvic floor pts.

[B]

Mm.

[A]

I'm trying to think of the other places that people are going. Maybe acupuncturists, functional medicine folks. So I would. Yeah, yeah. So let's say you're going to a gynecology office or you're calling a gynecology office. You could say, like, I have a free workshop that you could refer clients to. I could do it on site if that would be more comfortable for them and that works for y'all. Or I could do it in this other place. But here are the primary points that we hit On.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I'm happy to talk to one of the doctors about it if they want to vet it and are curious.

[B]

Okay. Could you like a Facebook ad?

[A]

Well, I don't know, because, you know, Mark Zuckerberg just changed all the right rules in the past. The rules kind of sucked for you in some ways. If you were gonna try to talk about anything sexual in a Facebook ad, they wouldn't approve it.

[B]

Right.

[A]

So I guess, like, there is one plus to him allowing all the bigotry. I think it would be worth testing. I might try boosting a post first because it's gonna be less expensive and you're gonna be able. It's just less complicated than a Facebook ad. Hey, Facebook ads have changed so much over the years. They become like, you really need help. Like a doctor to understand them. Yes, but you need help.

[B]

That's what I figured. And I'm just like, I don't want that.

[A]

What I would do is I would create a post. I would create a few posts, see which does best, and then whichever one seems to get the most attention, I would run, like, a boost. I would boost that post.

[B]

Okay. All right.

[A]

And it's a lot cheaper to boost a post too.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Is this an online workshop or is it an in person workshop? I should ask that.

[B]

I'm gonna do it in person. Yeah. There's some, like, really fun coffee shops that I can rent out. A room, a space.

[A]

Amazing.

[B]

To make it. Yeah. Laid back and more comfortable since it's a, you know, vulnerable topic.

[A]

Right. So I'm thinking since it's gonna be in a public space, it needs to be called something that the person isn't afraid to go to the barista and be like, I'm here for the blank meeting.

[B]

Okay. Yeah.

[A]

My vagina hurts meeting is probably not the one they want to.

[B]

You sure? Okay. Maybe I'll call it the CBD.

[A]

I don't want. Because they're not coming for cbd. They're coming for solutions. And if we don't want it to look like it's just one big advertisement for this other company.

[B]

You're right.

[A]

So I would call it something colon, and then something specific to either the organ or sexual health or something like that.

[B]

I can chatgpt some stuff too.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

That is.

[A]

So have, like, the first part of it, something they'd say to the barista. And the second part, really specific. Let's let chatgpt do some of that. And if I think of anything while we're talking, we'll just say it. Yeah. So since this is about vaginal health or vaginal pain, I would target pelvic PTs. I would target PCPs, gynecologists and obstetricians, midwives. I'm sure that there's some people going to functional medicine docs who are struggling. I mean, the thing is, like, it's because it's going from what we think of as typical, like, sexual pain all the way through, like, perimenopause and menopause.

[B]

Right.

[A]

The just kind of natural thinning and drying. There's a broad expanse of places that you can market this in kind of the medical or allied fields.

[B]

Okay. Okay.

[A]

But I would also reach out to couples counselors and let them know about it. I would reach out to other sex therapists for sure.

[B]

Okay. Okay.

[A]

And I think. I really think the trickiest part is going to be the messaging because it is so vulnerable. So going to a public space and, like, looking to your left and looking to your right and being like, everybody else has the same experience as me and they know I have the same experience of them is both comforting and normalizing and also very vulnerable.

[B]

Totally.

[A]

So you might want to make some sort of rules. Like, this is for people with vaginas only. Don't bring your husband or partner.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

That kind of a thing.

[B]

Yeah, that's a good idea. I like that.

[A]

Cool.

[B]

Yeah, that feels good.

[A]

Good. Is there anything else I can help with?

[B]

Let's see. I don't know, maybe just like through networking. There's a lot of just like, negative, I don't know, people out there that when they find out that your cash pay and the rate that you're charging. So maybe I just need a little pick me up. I'm just tired of, like, there's been a lot of great people, but the negative ones, I don't know, I just kind of get you down a little bit more.

[A]

Yeah. So what are they saying, the negative ones?

[B]

Oh, just like anybody that charges more than $200 is, you know, I. I just don't understand how, like, a therapist could charge that much money. That just doesn't seem ethical or. Okay. Yeah. I would never refer to somebody that charged that amount because I just know my patients can afford it. Those types of things.

[A]

Yeah. Okay. Well, now you have something you can say to them of like, totally get that. I periodically do these free workshops that may be helpful for some of your clients. So you can be like, okay, because you're not going to. It's not going to work to argue with them, you know?

[B]

Right.

[A]

I love the arbitrary of, like, anybody who charges over this number, like, this is the dividing line, which is, like, total made up in their own head.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And so is it touching on something inside you that worries that you shouldn't be charging your fee?

[B]

No, because I feel like I've done a lot of work good. Around all of that stuff, and, like, life's getting more expensive. I work hard. A lot of the money and effort that I make, I put back into the populations that I treat.

[A]

So.

[B]

Yeah. I don't know. Hmm. That's. That's a good question, though. I think it's okay that I. What I'm charging is unethical. It just gets a little bit draining.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

You've met with, like, three people in a week, and they're all like.

[A]

Yeah. So I think maybe looking at it kind of like somebody who disagrees with you politically of like, oh, they don't get it. We're not going to be aligned in the way we see this.

[B]

Not a good.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. Just not a good fit. And I would also look at how did you find these people and how do you stop finding them, you know?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

What is it that drew you to them? And was it the same referral source? Was it like Psychology Today? So seeing how do you get more targeted with who you're networking with, with the people who, like, they don't have to be private pay, but they need to not be shaming.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Yeah, the shaming piece says enough about them. You probably wouldn't want to refer to them anyway.

[B]

Yeah, no, no. Absolutely not.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. Yeah. Because it's interesting because I've met with some providers that take insurance and they're really cool and then others that, you know, aren't, so.

[A]

Right. And I will say I worked with so many people who are like, there was a time when I was that shamey therapist. I just, like, I hadn't done my work around it. I didn't realize there was work to do around it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And that's not to say that anybody who takes insurance hasn't done the work or that all the people who are private pay have. It's just that the shaming piece is an indication that work hasn't been done.

[B]

Right, right.

[A]

Being offended by somebody's rate is an indication that work needs to be done or could be done. Nobody could do work.

[B]

But their stuff, not mine, don't refer to them.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. Because, like, I would love for them to at the very least consider, like, maybe they could have this too. And that's probably Some of the insurance therapists that you're talking to may be like, oh, wow, like, that would be really cool to be able to do that. Like, you might be an inspiration to them on some level, even if they're not ready to take action.

[B]

Right, Right. Yeah, I hope so. Because I think, you know, like, everybody in your community that you've created is, we deserve better and insurance is not going to give that to us. So.

[A]

Yeah. And some people are like, I really want to stay on insurance, but they're doing it out of. It's not out of fear that they can't do it otherwise. Exactly. And they're not judging other people for their decisions around their business because that's weird. Yeah, it is. Yeah.

[B]

I don't know what my. Why I have to charge the rate that I charge.

[A]

I get it though. Getting these messages, subtle or otherwise, that you're doing something wrong.

[B]

Right.

[A]

It doesn't feel good. And that's where like coming in the Facebook group and like being around the people who get it can help. Calling your buddies who are also private pay can help.

[B]

Right? Right.

[A]

Yeah. Community. It can make us sick or it can make us.

[B]

Well, totally 100. Okay. That's really helpful. And that's. That's all I have.

[A]

Amazing. Well, it's great talking with you.

[B]

Yeah, you too. Have a good rest of your week day. Thanks.

[A]

Take care.

[B]

Bye.

[A]

Bye. Make sure your email is actually HIPAA compliant with POW box. Use code ABUNDANT to get PAL box for less than $100 your first year at paubox.com if you're ready for a much easier practice, TherapyNotes is the way to go. Go to therapynotes.com and use the promo code ABUNDANT for two months.

[B]

Free.

[A]

If you're listening, you probably need some support building your practice. If you're a super newbie, grab our free checklist using the link in the show notes. I'd love for you to follow rate and review, but I really want you to share this episode with a therapist friend. Let's help all our colleagues build what they want.