2006 ACSW CONFERENCE PRACTICAL APPROACHES FOR STARTING A PRIVATE PRACTICE Presented by: Thomas Baker, MSW, RSW Bill Cunes, MA, RSW

THOMAS BAKER, MSW, RSW Background in Clinical Social Work, Program Management & Teaching Background in Clinical Social Work, Program Management & Teaching Operating Private Practice since 1998 Operating Private Practice since 1998 Personal & Relational Counselling Personal & Relational Counselling Contracts with Child & Family Services, EAP Companies, MSB/Native Affairs and Private Referrals Contracts with Child & Family Services, EAP Companies, MSB/Native Affairs and Private Referrals Mount Royal College Instructor Mount Royal College Instructor

BILL CUNES, MA, RSW Background in Clinical Social Work, Program Management & Teaching Background in Clinical Social Work, Program Management & Teaching Part-time Private Practice since 1981 & full-time since 2002 Part-time Private Practice since 1981 & full-time since 2002 Focused on Individual, Family and Couples Counselling Focused on Individual, Family and Couples Counselling Contracts with Juvenile Probation, EAP Companies, and Private Referrals Contracts with Juvenile Probation, EAP Companies, and Private Referrals Part-time University of Calgary Instructor Part-time University of Calgary Instructor

AGENDA Myths of Private Practice Myths of Private Practice Formulating a Business Plan Formulating a Business Plan Establishing a Financial Plan Establishing a Financial Plan Developing a Marketing Plan Developing a Marketing Plan Professional Development Professional Development Self Care Self Care Panel Discussion Panel Discussion

STARTING A PRIVATE PRACTICE Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Starting a Private Practice Complete the Self-Assessment Questionnaire during the Presentation

MYTHS AND REALITIES OF PRIVATE PRACTICE Independence Independence Lifestyle Lifestyle Work Schedule Work Schedule Income Income Security Security Personal Growth Personal Growth

IDENTIFICATION OF SERVICES Professional Qualifications Professional Qualifications Professional Interests Professional Interests Professional Reputation Professional Reputation Market Assessment Market Assessment Scope of Practice Scope of Practice

LEGAL STATUS OF BUSINESS Name of Organization Name of Organization Sole Proprietorship Sole Proprietorship Limited Corporation Limited Corporation Corporate Registry Corporate Registry Tax Status Tax Status

OFFICE SPACE Location Location Size Size Accessibility & Parking Accessibility & Parking Soundproofing Soundproofing Costs Costs Sharing Space Sharing Space

OFFICE SET-UP Office Furniture Office Furniture Office Equipment Office Equipment Office Supplies Office Supplies Telephone Service Telephone Service Promotional Items Promotional Items

CLIENT FILES Client Information Client Information Client Involvement Client Involvement Client Billing Client Billing

FILING SYSTEM Organization Organization Security Security Retention of Files Retention of Files Access to File Information Access to File Information

FINANCIAL PLAN Start Up Costs Start Up Costs Operating Costs Operating Costs Realistic Income Expectations Realistic Income Expectations

OPERATING COSTS Office Operation Office Operation Office Upkeep Office Upkeep Personnel Personnel Vehicle Vehicle Insurance Insurance Business Promotion Business Promotion Taxes Taxes Professional Professional

BOOKKEEPING Bookkeeping System Bookkeeping System Accounts PayableAccounts Payable Accounts ReceivableAccounts Receivable Systematic Record KeepingSystematic Record Keeping Computer Software Packages Computer Software Packages Business Accountant Business Accountant

MARKETING PLAN Recruiting and Maintaining Referral Sources Recruiting and Maintaining Referral Sources Networking Networking Contracting Contracting Business Promotion Business Promotion Developing a Client Base Developing a Client Base Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SELF CARE Professional Training Professional Training Peer Consultation and Support Peer Consultation and Support Professional Supervision Professional Supervision Networking Networking Personal Time Out Personal Time Out Personal Supports and Relationships Personal Supports and Relationships

COFFEE BREAK Introduction to the Panel Discussion