ABSTRACT
Close your eyes — yes, right this moment — and imagine this dream-come-true scenario. You decide to go into private practice. You are sitting in a nice office, perhaps some would even describe it as plush, with a large oak desk, comfortable chairs, and thick deep-pile carpeting. You have a client-friendly waiting room, stocked with the latest issues of the most popular magazines. Soft soothing background music is piped in to further relax and comfort your clients. But wait, it gets even better. You have a kind efficient receptionist who answers your phone calls, books your appointments, files your clients’ charts, keeps your office stocked with pens, stationery, business cards, and even does most of your insurance paperwork. Even more impressive is the fact that you have a steady stream of referrals provided for you day after day, week after week, year after year. And best of 2all, everything I’ve described is paid for by somebody else! And in many cases that somebody else is the local psychiatrist. In other words, you’re not risking a single solitary dime of your own money.
