 |
Building and maintaining a viable private practice requires attention to both obtaining referrals and keeping clients. A recent survey conducted by the Harvard Medical School found that 46% of the population will suffer from a diagnosable emotional disorder, and that anxiety disorders are the most frequent problems followed by mood disorders. Potential clients are out in the community. In addition, a substantial clinical encounter is possible. A Consumers Report article found that client satisfaction with psychotherapy increased with length of treatment 6 months or longer. A Professional Notes Workshop can help you develop a plan for seeking referrals, and clinical strategies for developing alliances with your clients.
Setting up an office for a private practice entails developing forms for required disclosures and a secure record keeping system. A Professional Notes Workshop on Ethical Practice in Colorado: Records & Confidentiality will help you get started.
Beginning in January 2011 Continuing Competence and Professional Development will be required for Colorado Mental Health Licensees. Seven "competency dimensions" have been identified for clinical social workers to reflect on and use as a basis for their individualized "Learning Plan". The 7 competency dimensions are presented in a "rubric" format to help in each person's self-assessment and identification of areas for continuing or new professional development. A required Learning Plan must include 40 "professional development hours (PDH)spread over 2 or more "Professional Development Activities (PDA)". Seven types of professional development activities will be acceptable as long as they are directly relevant to practice competency. Workshops, Seminars, and Case Consultations offered through Professional Notes will qualify in 3 or 4 areas of professional development activities. Acceptable documentation will be supplied.
|
|
|
|
