So it has been 4 weeks or so since I became active with the
online therapy company.
Here’s the breakdown: The first two asked to be transferred within
2 weeks. One transferred and I think the other ended up cancelling. Not a good
fit. The first one gave me a “bad” review however, when I talked to the quality
assurance therapist, she saw how engaging this client would have been difficult
no matter what (and she was demanding that I respond 7 days a week) and gave me
some good hints about her process. The second one, I think got offended because
I didn’t receive her message after a week and I was sending her notes about
getting her engaged in treatment. She didn’t respond to asking about working
with me despite my error. This month, one client decided she really didn’t like
texting, and because it’s a slower process than traditional therapy. So... a rough start.
But even in traditional therapy, a therapist has to take
time to get to know people otherwise how can we really be helpful? One of the
hints is that after 2 more weeks, you ask about how the client likes the
platform? Then you ask about your work together. You propose this structure
during the introductory 10 minute free video chat. Seems to help set a pace for
clients. Will do.
So now I have about 5-6 clients, most of whom are new but
engaged in the process. I can pick up a max of 4 new clients per week. I have
done some brief video chats with them, which I offer in the second week. Some
like that, some don’t. But they all say they like seeing my face so they know
who they’re texting – they see my photo on the profile page but I don’t see
theirs. I more easily match stories to faces so it helps me keep track a lot. I
have a client in the UK, which is really interesting, and the others are in
Colorado, near and far. Picking up clients is a bit like bidding on a cow at
the State Fair – you have to be scanning the “online office” when they post new
clients to be matched. You have to check for your state and then reply quickly
if it’s someone you want to work with. I have found that Fridays are good days
but it means connecting over the weekend a bit so they don’t get discouraged. For
just one person here and there I can manage that. It feels a little trollish to
be doing that, vs going out with the kids or friends…
I tell people I respond at noon(ish) and 8:30(ish). We have
to check twice a day. Some people write more than others, obviously. One person
asked me to write even if she didn’t, just to let her know I was there and
thinking of her. Sometimes I find myself still out running errands or at lunch
at noon so there’s a little issue with time management here and there. And my
younger daughter is staying up a little later so I switched from 9 to 8:30 to
get a jump on tucking in time. She’s ten but she still likes me to stay with
her until she falls asleep. I both love and loathe it… On Fridays I respond
around 5PM while I am at Taekwondo with my aforementioned child. That way
everyone’s weekend can begin…
So this has been a private practice supplement and also a
JOB as a practitioner. Very interesting as an experiment in a new treatment
modality and a social movement. I honestly wish I had heard of it 2-3 years
ago, I could have used the side income, the experience. But here I am… Jumping
in with both feet. In October I begin a “Business School Bootcamp for
Therapists” program to help me revv up my practice and give me some skills to
be successful. I can’t afford not to be, and I really like being my own boss. I will likely write about my
upcoming experience and new insights into this whole thing.
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