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March 31, 2023
The growing awareness regarding mental health in the US spells great opportunities for practitioners and therapists. According to a 2021 survey, clinics and hospitals were stretched to 144% capacity to address the needs of mental health patients.
There couldn’t be a better time to set up a therapy clinic because the demand for behavioural healthcare is high. As of 2023, there are 15,163 mental health clinics in the US, a significant increase of 5.2% from 2022. With such rapid growth in the number of providers, the market competition will likely get stiffer in the coming years.
Standing apart and gaining more clients will get more challenging. The best piece of advice for practitioners is to pursue growth initiatives sooner rather than later. This way, you can onboard more patients before new competitors arrive in the market. At the same time, you can optimise your operations for accommodating new patients.
A growth initiative for your therapeutic practice requires a strategic approach. Here are a few proven strategies to get started and gain momentum:
The adoption of technology is ubiquitous in the American healthcare sector. Did you know that nearly 4 in 5 office-based physicians already used electronic health records as of 2021? Almost 76% of hospitals connect remotely with patients through video tools and other technology. Likewise, technology can be a game-changer for mental health professionals seeking growth.
Therapists can leverage mental health apps and telehealth video conferencing solutions to reach more clients. With these tools, clinics can manage their care loads and offer quality care to patients, regardless of location and distance. If you are licensed to practise in multiple states, you can grow your practice without setting up clinics in different locations.
Adopting practice management software is another significant step to boost your practice’s growth. With this solution, you can automate billing and administrative tasks, track patient records, schedule appointments, and process insurance claims faster. It can help you simplify day-to-day operations and enhance communication between staff members.
Owl Practice notes that improving your daily operations with a practice management solution can help you focus on your patients. You can provide a better quality of care instead of worrying about administrative tasks. Better care translates into stronger relationships and long-term growth for a therapy clinic.
The internet is the primary source for patients to research and locate healthcare facilities in their areas. Did you know that a staggering 82.8% of Americans rely on search engines to find a healthcare provider? Social media groups and review sites also play a key role in patient journeys as they verify provider expertise from these sources.
Expanding your online footprint is essential to drive growth for your therapy practice. The first step is to develop an impressive website to showcase your skills and services. Optimising it for search engine rankings is the next step because most people do not go beyond the first page while searching for businesses. Also, have a robust local SEO plan to ensure visibility to nearby patients.
Social media marketing, paid advertising, and email promotions are other steps to grow your online presence. You should also leverage patient reviews to build trust and credibility for your therapy practice. A holistic digital marketing plan helps you foster a clinical brand and create relationships with your patients.
Educational content is another factor to extend your reach and win over more patients. Since many people are apprehensive about seeking therapy, educational content can help them overcome fear and reach out for help. Blogs, social media posts, explainer videos, and how-to guides can empower your content strategy for better visibility, outreach, and trust.
Standing out from your competition is also about investing in continued education and training. Healthcare professionals, including therapists and psychologists, should upgrade their skills to stay relevant and provide quality patient care. It is also essential for professional development and licence renewals.
If you visualise growth for your therapy practice, set aside time and budget for ongoing education and training. Your team members should be a part of the initiative because they are a significant element of the patient care equation. Also, investing in your team’s professional development is a valuable retention strategy, another critical aspect of practice growth.
Continuing education can help you expand your areas of specialisation, increase your patient base, and add further certifications. The best part is that extending your educational credentials is easy because you can access courses and programs online. It means you can continue learning without compromising your work.
As a therapist, you should pursue business growth while helping patients gain mental health benefits and improve their quality of life. These strategies provide a good starting point to get the best of both worlds.
By implementing them, you can offer better patient care, expand your outreach, and run your clinic smoothly. Covering all these fronts sets you up for growth, regardless of the growing competition in the industry.
