Michelle Kent: Offering Ecotherapy in Your Canadian Private Practice | Ep 90
Episode description
Do you love being in nature for your mental health? Have your clients expressed interest in nature walks to clear the mind and process their difficult emotions? Could you combine these two aspects into a service in your private practice?
Ecotherapy is a great modality for therapy, and some practices are warming up to it! Of course, with it being outdoors and in an environment that is not easily controlled, it does call for sensitivity around the admin and ethics.
In this podcast episode, Michelle and I discuss her approach to ecotherapy and how she offers it to her clients as well as her experience as a new private practice owner.
MEET MICHELLE
Michelle is a registered social worker and psychotherapist running her own private practice in Toronto, Ontario. She loves supporting caregivers, millennials and first responders as they develop self-compassion and grow into their most authentic selves. Michelle tends to use a person-centred, trauma-focused and feminist lens.
Learn more about Michelle on her practice website, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles.
In this episode:
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Michelle's entry into private practice
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Handling the finances
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Julia's tips for getting started
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Offering ecotherapy
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Michelle's advice to listeners
Michelle's entry into private practice
Michelle began her journey as a counsellor working in agencies in Toronto. Even though she enjoyed the work, the amount of work that is required when working in an agency was becoming overwhelming.
From the encouragement of her loved ones to the good results and transformation that she was seeing in her clients, Michelle decided to take the leap to launch her private practice and become her own boss.
Handling the finances
Michelle had some money set aside. Even though there are savings, Michelle is getting married this year as well! So launching a business as well as planning a wedding would make any launch year an expensive one.
It can take a while to get the numbers balanced in a private practice, especially in the beginning, since you might still be building up a reliable client caseload and paying off the initial expenses.
Julia's tips for getting started
These three keys are helpful for any Canadian private practice owner as they launch their business:
1 - Networking
2 - Blogging
3 - Building dynamic content
If you are starting a Canadian private practice, listen to my podcast episode on Canada's Digital Adoption Program grant and how you can apply!
Offering ecotherapy
Michelle's private practice offers walk-and-talk therapy otherwise known as ecotherapy. She herself enjoys being outside and appreciates how it helps her mental health, and wanted to extend the same in conjunction with therapy sessions to clients.
Because Michelle's home is located close to Ontario's beaches and walkways, she became certified in offering ecotherapy and decided to add it as a service to her practice.
There is extra admin, but it is doable. You need to make sure that you are on the right side of the law with your insurance, college, and clients for this to work well for you and everyone involved.
Michelle's advice to listeners
Working with a coach in the beginning can be a great confidence booster! Investing in a business coach that gets you and your business is an investment in the success of your new private practice.
When you feel ready to ask for help with your Canadian private practice, I offer one-on-one coaching to help you lay the strongest foundation possible for your future! Click here to learn more about what I offer and how it can benefit you.
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Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 89: Now is the Time to Start Your Canadian Private Practice | EP 89
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Learn more about Michelle on her practice website, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles.
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