Self-employed counsellor

josephine82

It should be fairly straightforward to set up a website and a summary of what you intend to do, and how you intend to work. If you don’t have those skills you could try a local adult education centre where you could learn the basics. 

From my experience with private counselling is that it is all about identifying the relationship and if it works both for the client and the counsellor. So being open about an introductory session, maybe free or discounted would make people want to come and see you and see if you are right for what they need. 

As someone said, your clients are probably a one off business but anyone with complex issues wanting assistance is probably going to be looking for at least medium term bookings which does at least represent some level of continued income. 

I’ve seen people who didn’t impose any sort of commitment, and someone who made it clear that the commitment was for an initial say, 4 sessions and I found that better- more focused and had to consider that the person was running a business as well as providing help. It might be worth looking round at other counsellors websites to see what they do to give you an idea of how you want to run yours. 

Wish you all the luck. Private counselling changed my life after I found the right person; so I hope you are successful and help someone :-) 

jacobevans

Hey, I have a few ideas I think might help?

Make sure you’re in compliance with your state regulations on licensing, appropriate education and training, etc.

Get approved by as many insurers as you can, so that you can accept potential clients insurance coverage.

Join professional organizations associated with your title or degree, and make lots of connections with your peers. Go to the regularly scheduled meetings of these organizations so you can meet other professionals. I’m not sure how effective they are, but some media such as Psychology Today, have listings of professionals offering treatment.

Pass the word through friends and family that you’ve set up a practice. Also do a bit of SEO or work with an SEO agency and make it specific. on your website to improve visibility

There are many things you can do but I guess the basic would be get registered, make connection, do SEO and word-of-the-mouth - it should work!