Mastering the Financial Dimension of Your Psychotherapy Practice

Written by two therapists with extensive business experience, Mastering the Financial Dimension of Your Psychotherapy Practice addresses the clinical and financial challenges of establishing and maintaining a successful private practice. This book contains updated content on investing strategies, changes in the insurance marketplace, and trends in the marketing of a psychotherapy practice. The first of five sections explores the life cycle of the modern therapy practice, offering best business and investing practices for each phase. In the second and third sections, the authors consider the emotional dimension in the development of a private practice. The fourth section offers a basic course in financial planning, including an investigation into five common financial mistakes therapists make and various solutions to each situation. The fifth section is designed to offer a road map of actions 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.

Peter H. Cole, LCSW, and Daisy Reese, LCSW, have been teaching and practicing psychotherapy for more than 25 years. Peter is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine and a chartered financial consultant (ChFC®), specializing in work with mental health professionals. Daisy owns a private practice. They are also founders and co-directors of the Sierra Institute for Contemporary Gestalt Therapy, where they continue to train and mentor therapists in Northern California.

Introduction. Why a Financial Planning Book for Therapists? Section I. The Lifecycle of a Psychotherapy Practice 1. Moving Through the Seasons 2. The Internship Phase: Having a Good Experience While Preparing for Licensure 3. The Launching Phase 4. The Establishing Phase 5. The Prime Phase 6. The Elder Phase Section II. Psychological and Therapeutic Considerations. 7. Raising Your Money Consciousness: An Important Journey of Individuation 8. The Psychological Dimension 9. Characterological Defenses Around Money Wounds 10. What is Financial Well-Being? 11. The Couple's Money Dance 12. Complementary Work: Referring to and Working With a Financial Planner 13. Money as a Transference Object in Therapy Section III. Current Practice Considerations 14. Sustaining Your Prosperous Practice Through Changing Economic Times 15. The Affordable Care Act and Beyond: Making Managed Care Work for You 16. Your Online Presence 17. Utilizing Practice Management Software Systems for Your Office Section IV. A Therapist's Money Guide 18. Filling in the Financial Knowledge Gap 19. Five Common Financial Mistakes of Private Practitioners 20. Tax-Advantaged Investing Plans for Self-Employed Psychotherapists 21. A Therapist's Guide to Fundamental Investing Concepts 22. Securities That Therapists Commonly Invest In 23. Socially Responsible Investing 24. Debt and Credit Issues 25. An Insurance Primer 26. Estate Planning: Financial Planning for After a Death Section V. Your Money Pages 27. Introduction to a Lifetime Plan for Your Financial Well-Being 28. Financial Worksheets and Process Pages 29. Looking Forward Addenda Addendum I. Further Resources Addendum II. Using QuickBooks® for Your Bookkeeping Addendum III. Glossary of Financial Terms