Looking for a partner? I think I can help. Actually, the way I see it, we already are partners for the coming year since I was elected to serve as Division 42 President. I’m hopeful we will profit from working together. In fact, I’m hoping we will profit from working together with other professionals and agencies to enhance the public’s understanding of psychology and their pursuit of psychological services from independent practitioners. That’s why my theme for this year is “Profiting from Partnerships.”
So let me tell you a little bit about your new partner. I’ll spare you all of the details about my education, honors, and leadership positions which I shared during my campaign and, instead, focus on my work as a successful sole practitioner for whom networking, community work and public education have been key. Although I had an earlier part-time stint in private practice, I have been a full time independent practitioner for 17 years in Long Beach, CA, after working in inpatient and outpatient public facilities and teaching undergraduate and graduate school classes. My clinical identity is mostly as a child psychologist, but I also work individually and in a family context with teens and adults as well. Although I have served on managed care panels before, I currently only belong to Medicare in order to continue to provide services to a chronic, long-term client. I also offer a sliding scale under certain circumstances. I have been a consultant to a non-profit nursery school for over 19 years; have served on a court child custody panel; provide both paid and volunteer workshops for schools, hospitals, community groups, and other agencies; and serve as an expert in legal cases. I enjoy mutually beneficial collaborative partnerships with attorneys, physicians, volunteer service groups, some media contacts, and public and private agencies which result in numerous viable referrals every month.
For me, being visible in my community, making connections with various groups, and using public education, have kept me going as a person and as a practitioner. One of the most valuable strategies for me is to remember that all contacts even casual ones can be potential marketing opportunities. Invariably, for almost every volunteer presentation I have done for a PTA, a civic group, or a business, I gain referrals either of clients or for future paid workshops/presentations. I’m hopeful also that I’ve made seeking and participating in psychological services less stigmatizing and choosing independent practitioners more desirable. I realize that not every psychologist is comfortable with some of the approaches which “fit” for me, but the benefit of a division like ours should be that we share enough approaches that everyone can find something which fits for that person. After all, we should profit from our partnerships with each other too. Our committees such as Membership, Student and Early Career Psychologist, Marketing and Public Education, and our task forces will be focusing on how we can create and provide resources which benefit our members.
Throughout the year I will be highlighting via the list, our website, broadcast e-mails, and this column some of the action we will be taking this year, including looking at building a practice agenda for use in advocacy efforts and beyond; branding our division and independent practice; and using our assets, both financial and otherwise, in ways which work for practice and practitioners. Because I believe that forming partnerships is one vital way to enhance independent practice, I have been working for much of the last year on developing relationships with agencies and other professionals which will profit Division 42 members, practice, the profession, and the public. Since I am waiting for legal consultation and final approval, I can’t unveil specifics at this writing, but please keep on the lookout for more information and some great opportunities to market your practice and be seen as a resource in your communities!
Thank you for this opportunity to partner with you this year. Keep checking in to see what we’re doing for you, and let us hear from you about your ideas, successes, concerns, and questions so we can do more with you too. Division 42 is where you belong, especially if you’re looking for support, want resources, enjoy networking, and are interested in profiting from partnerships. After all, we’ve got practice.
