ABSTRACT

Most therapists would not identify themselves as business people, yet running a successful practice is a complex business. For a population accustomed to empathizing with clients, financial planning is not intuitive. This volume, written by two therapists with extensive business experience, offers sound advice for mental health professionals in private practice.

Mastering the Financial Dimension of Your Practice is organized into four sections, each addressing the unique concerns of the therapist in private practice. The authors first offer a basic course in financial planning, including an investigation into "Five Common Financial Mistakes Therapists Make" and various "solutions" to each situation. The second section explores the lifecycle of the modern therapy practice, offering best business and investing practices for each phase. The third section considers the emotional dimension involved in the development of a private practice and the financial planning of a private practitioner, written in the thoughtful language of psychotherapy. Providing a self-guided financial planning seminar, the fourth section is designed to offer a road map of action to take in establishing a financial plan. Concluding, the book is an inspirational discussion of how the therapist in private practice can create a career with meaning, fulfillment, personal satisfaction and solid financial rewards. Also included is a useful primer on Quickbooks software.

chapter 1|4 pages

Moving Through the Seasons

chapter 2|10 pages

Launching Phase

chapter 3|10 pages

Establishing Phase

chapter 4|10 pages

Prime Phase

chapter 5|20 pages

Elder Phase

chapter 7|4 pages

The Psychological Dimension

chapter |4 pages

What Is Financial Well-Being?

chapter |8 pages

The Couple’s Money Dance

chapter 12|2 pages

Money as Transference Object in Therapy

chapter |2 pages

A Therapist’s Money Guide

chapter 13|6 pages

Filling in the Knowledge Gap

chapter 17|12 pages

Common Investments for Therapists

chapter 18|2 pages

Socially Responsible Investing

chapter 19|12 pages

Debt and Credit Issues

chapter 20|12 pages

An Insurance Primer

chapter 23|38 pages

Financial Worksheets and Process Pages

chapter 24|4 pages

Looking Forward

chapter |6 pages

Further Resources

chapter |22 pages

Addendum IV: Glossary of Financial Terms