Unlocking Potential: How to Add Interns to Your Practice
If you’re like me, there are a million items on your practice’s to-do list everyday. As a therapist, you may find yourself juggling multiple responsibilities while striving to provide the best care to your clients. One effective solution to ease your workload and enhance your practice is to consider adding an intern to your team. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of having an intern in your therapy practice and provide practical tips on how to integrate them successfully.
Perks of an Intern
Increased productivity
Hiring an intern allows you to delegate certain tasks, enabling you to focus more on providing quality therapy services to your clients. Interns can assist with administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, managing paperwork, and organizing client files, thus freeing up your time for therapeutic interventions.
Lower Rates for Clients
If you have an intern you can offer anyone that would otherwise be unable to afford your services a lower rate. This lower rate can be a part of the sliding scale your advertise on Psychology Today. This is a game changer for clients that are uninsured and ambivalent about paying out of pocket.
Enhanced client support
With an intern on board, you can offer clients additional support and resources. Interns can assist in conducting research, gathering educational materials, and developing psychoeducational workshops or support groups. This expanded range of services can help improve client outcomes and satisfaction.
In the End It’s a Win-Win Situation
At the end of their internship you may have yourself a fantastic new addition to your practice. Getting to “test drive” a potential new hire before they enter your practice is invaluable. Interns also benefit by not only completing much needed school credits but also gaining real world experience.
How to find your Intern
Realizing the Potential AND the Risk
There is increased risk when bringing on an intern. Man hours are spent going through applicants. There are also hours spent training that intern by yourself or your administrator. Before bringing an intern on board, clearly define the goals and objectives of the internship. Determine the specific tasks and responsibilities the intern will undertake and how they align with your practice's needs. Establishing clear expectations from the outset will set the foundation for a successful internship experience. Also be prepared to use resources to not only find the right one but also train them for the role they will fulfill at your practice.
Know Your Needs, Know Their Needs
The criteria for internship programs is different from school to school. When you offer to take on an intern you need to make sure that you are comfortable taking on the criteria they need to meet their school goals. Many students will need a certain number of clinical hours and time with administration. Therefore you will need to be prepared to meet those requirements. Developing a structured internship program that includes a well-defined orientation process, ongoing supervision, and regular evaluations is a great way to get started. However, this is not enough to get your intern to the finish line. You must understand what the intern needs by way of school credits and what the role is of your practice in obtaining those credits.
Give Yourself Space Before You Screen
Sure it’s important to screen your intern’s educational background, clinical experience, and make sure they align with your practice's values and therapeutic approach. However, if you don’t have the physical space in your practice for this intern, what’s the point? Conduct thorough interviews and requesting references is all good and well but if it’s going to cost you more to house their clinical work than rent the space to another therapist hold off.
Provide adequate supervision and feedback
Interns benefit greatly from regular supervision and feedback sessions. Remember this will take man hours and if you are not able to offer those at this time wait until you are comfortable enough in your growth. Schedule regular meetings to discuss their progress, provide guidance, and address any questions or concerns they may have. Be open to their input and encourage them to share their experiences and insights.
What’s the Rate for Interns?
What should your intern charge clients? Every practice is different depending upon the experience of the intern and location of the business. We ran the numbers and determined that if the intern charges $60/session and sees 10 clients a week, then we are good to go (and grow!). I’m a big fan of running my numbers. Run your numbers, friends, run them now :).
Maintain professionalism and ethical standards
Remind interns of the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality. Emphasize the adherence to ethical guidelines and codes of conduct within your therapy practice. Encourage open communication and ensure interns feel comfortable seeking guidance when faced with ethical dilemmas.
Adding an intern to your therapy practice can bring numerous benefits, including increased productivity, fresh perspectives, enhanced client support, and the opportunity for skill development and mentoring. By following the tips outlined in this blog, you can successfully integrate an intern into your practice and create a mutually beneficial experience. As you embrace the support of an intern, you not only lighten your workload but also contribute to the growth and development of the next generation of therapists.
Interested in Making Sure You Are on Track?
Implementing ways to track your calls coming into your practice can support your insight into what is going on and why. It allows you to see if your practice's marketing efforts are reaching clients or if some adjustments need to be made.
At Whitney Owens Consulting, I offer guidance and support when it comes to setting up new tracking methods for your practice. I will also support you in creating an environment where you can grow your practice and know what the data says is going on. Reach out today to get started on the path to a successful practice! Ready to grow?
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Implementing new methods into your practice can be overwhelming, especially if you are unsure of what is the best route to take. This is why I offer a range of personalized business coaching services to help you make a plan, execute it and track the results. I offer 3-month and 6-month business consulting packages, Enneagram Training, and a Wise Practice Community Membership. Implement tracking methods for your practice today and reach out to Whitney Owens Consulting if you need help getting started! Get in touch today to learn more.
