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Next Event:
28 January 2012 – Selling Ourselves:
Building and maintaining a practice in the
21st century: relational implications
2 – 5pm Maya Jacobs-Wallfisch
As therapists we are faced with a multitude of clinical, ethical and professional dilemmas. The professional dilemma which is not much taught on trainings and remains discreetly problematic is ‘How do we sell ourselves?’ - how do we build our private practice? A minimum requirement for success in any business is making sure the world knows you exist and what it is that you are selling. Surviving this economic downturn is a key task for every business; how can we acknowledge we are affected by this external reality and how can we best meet its challenge?
The clinical requirement to offer ourselves as a container to our patients makes stating our own needs in the therapy relationship problematic. I wonder whether with the exception of agreeing a fee and invoicing we find ourselves so preoccupied with the clinical demands of our work that we may neglect the reality of needing to remember we are running a business. Unlike other businesses, the questions of how we as therapists sell ourselves bring complications from surface issues of business strategy to issues at depth surrounding the clinical implications of these strategies.
I will consider how running a private clinical practice has changed, most dramatically for those of us who trained years before cyberspace and websites; when a business card was considered a powerful marketing tool and an advertisement in the yellow pages an aggressive marketing strategy.
I will reflect on the difference in professional self-regard held by those from the ‘old school’ and those arriving recently who are more at ease with embracing the real politic of running a business in 2011. What is it that the ‘old school’ may be inhibited or reluctant to learn? What is it that the newly arrived may be overlooking? What does it mean for us as colleagues in regard to our feelings of envy, admiration, competition and rivalry? What does it mean for our patients or clients who may be unused to the vagueness with which we outline what it is we offer: no ‘satisfaction guaranteed or money back’ strap lines from us.
I intend my paper to provide a launch pad for reflective and lively group discussion. I will describe some personal challenges and learning with vignettes from my practice. I will also consider some of the ‘new world’ implications of cyber therapy and other virtual world contact between therapists and patient.
Maya Jacobs-Wallfisch: Prior to training as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist with the Arbours Association (qualifying in 2003) Maya worked therapeutically for over ten years in hospitals and clinics dealing with addiction, compulsivity and its accompanying symptoms of food issues, depression and anxiety.
Maya has been a member of the Relational School since its inception and has a particular interest in women’s psychology and the mother-daughter relationship. She currently works as a therapist and supervisor in private practice in West London with individuals and couples and is also a ratified training therapist. In 2012 Maya plans to start a new Supervision group and to establish a women’s therapy group.
£30 members £40 for non members
Cheques payable to: The Relational School
Send to: The Relational School c/o Jane Nairne, 35 Manor Road, Potters Bar, Herts. EN6 1DQ email: jane@nairne.com
(PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WITH YOUR CHEQUE)
Venue: South Hampstead High School (Oakwood Entrance)
3 Maresfield Gardens, London NW3 5SS
Seminar Series Policy: each seminar will run with a minimum of 6 participants and a 20 participant maximum. Please be aware that spaces are limited and reserve in advance to secure your place.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received up to 2 weeks prior to the workshop date: a £10 admin fee will be charged and the balance refunded. After that there will be no refunds.