Several weeks ago, as I was walking out of my therapy office, my receptionist motioned for me not to leave. She was on a phone call and whispered to me, “It’s the Dr. Phil Show asking for you.” Thinking she was joking, I rolled my eyes and turned to walk toward the door. She replied, “I’m not kidding!” I told her I’d take the call. After a few days of phone and email exchanges with Dr. Phil staff, I ended up not being selected to appear as an expert on that particular episode, but the show booker said they would keep me in mind for future shows. Whether you’re a fan or Dr. Phil or not, it’s still amazing to me that a private therapist in Salt Lake City, Utah is on the radar of a national TV show.
Upon becoming a licensed therapist, my initial plans for starting and growing my practice did not include appearing on local or national television in the USA (Discovery Health, TLC, Fox News Channel), or being regularly quoted in national publications like The Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan, Parenting, or Women’s Health as an “expert”. However, I made a few key decisions in that first month of practice that helped me get to the point where I felt that conventional media would make a significant difference in growing a thriving practice that is reputable, effective, and trustworthy.
This article first appeared in the Summer 2012 issue of TILT Magazine ~ Therapeutic Innovations in Light of Technology.
Click here to read the entire PDF version of the Why Conventional Media Still Matters: Insights for Growing your Practice article.
Julie Hanks, LCSW has over 20 years in the mental health field & 10 years in private practice as owner of Wasatch Family Therapy. She consults with therapists on how to build a fulfilling and profitable therapy business and attract clients through technology and social media. Follow Julie on Twitter & Facebook. She also writes for PsychCentral.com’s Ask the Therapist and Private Practice Toolbox.
Have you been interviewed on local or national TV? I’d love to hear about your experience. How did it go? What do you wish you’d known beforehand? If you have any questions for me feel free to ask me on Twitter @Julie_Hanks or contact me directly here.
Access TILT Magazine archives: http://issuu.com/onlinetherapyinstitute/docs
