Bulletin: October 2023
Experienced Practitioners Sought for Referrals
Ursula James, ex Visiting Professor of Clinical Hypnosis, author of the Clinical Hypnosis Textbook and a past Vice President of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis (BSCH) has recently retired from 30 years of private practice to concentrate on research.
As a result, she is looking for highly experienced individuals to whom she can pass on referrals.
Ideally, you will have a specialism in one of the following areas:
Smoking cessation
Weight loss
Stress and Anxiety
Phobias
Feminine issues
Addiction
If you are interested, please email hypnotherapy@ursulajames.com with a little information about yourself and a link to your website.
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The UK Hypnosis Convention
The UK Hypnosis Convention returns to the Renaissance Hotel Heathrow this coming November (10-12) and will see academics from all over the world lecture (US based Prof Steven Jay Lynn and Australian Prof Amanda Barnier, for example) together with prominent trainers, psychologists, and hypnotherapists along with the world famous, Derren Brown, who will be discussing his understanding of and experiences with hypnosis.
Further details can be found at the convention website https://ukhypnosisconvention.co.uk
GHR members can use the code ghrmember at the checkout for a 10% discount.
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Attracting More Clients: Some Ideas to Consider
Whereas established Practitioners may have no particular need to add to their client base we are fully aware of the difficulties that the more recently qualified often face. We consequently offer the below for their consideration:
You need to create clients rather than just respond to them
Although Directories are an excellent way to publicise your name, credentials and practice, when you’re expecting clients to search for you in an online directory, or to find you via an Internet search, you’re simply waiting for those who are already aware that they want a hypnotherapist.
People who want help but don’t necessarily know that hypnotherapy can benefit them
People sometimes think: I need to have a serious mental health problem before I can see a therapist/counsellor or the only way to see a therapist is via a doctor and the health service or my problem is something that hypnotherapists don’t deal with and I need to find another type of therapist to help me etc.
How to generate more clients
The most vital and essential point is that you need to be visible to potential clients.
How do I go about this?
Well, some things are fairly straightforward whereas others require a little more effort. However, you need to be prepared to work at securing more business; very little comes free in this life
It is probably fair to say that many practitioners have a moral dilemma about marketing themselves within a field that is essentially about helping people in need. Indeed, the very concept of ‘marketing’ their services appears alien to them. However, such marketing needn’t be about aggressive sales techniques and advertising. It is about letting people know what issues you can help with, who you are and how they can contact you.
This is simply about educating people about what you do and how you may assist them. Below are some suggestions:
Informal networking: Initiate conversations with staff at such places as the gym or any sports or social clubs where you are a member; politely advise your dentist; chat to other parents at the school gate (if relevant to you); look for opportunities to mention it to local shop staff etc..
Advise your family, friends and work colleagues about your practice and ask them to consider referring people to you who they feel may benefit from your services
Joining relevant groups such as mental health organisations can help to strengthen your referral network and connect with others
Become part of an established online therapy network where potential clients can easily find you based on their needs and preferences.
Set up and advertise groups or workshops on a particular topic (e.g. weight loss or smoking cessation etc.) either online or in person
Offer a visiting service to local groups to talk on a specific topic of interest to them
Attending local business networking events or health fairs and participating within professional conferences is a good way to meet other professionals in your field and can lead to referrals or collaborations, ultimately bringing new clients into your practice
Maintain an interest in your local newspaper and consider contacting a journalist if you see an issue that you could comment on
Include remote therapy within your practice by offering video sessions through secure platforms. This will allow you to reach those clients who might prefer this, those who may have difficulty in attending personally or those who live outside your immediate area
Consider offering free initial consultations, either by phone, video or in person. This will allow prospective clients to decide whether they feel comfortable working with you before committing financially
Consider offering sliding-scale fees. This will create a fee structure that takes account of an individual client’s financial position and will render your services more accessible to those who may have difficulty in meeting your standard fee
Maintain an online presence; a professional website is essential in today’s IT world. Ensure that it is user-friendly and optimised for search engines. A well-designed website is essential for attracting new clients online
N.B. Some clients prefer to consult a therapist specialising in a specific issue. Consider selecting your top 2 or 3 preferred topics and list that information on your website or social media page
Write articles (and possibly create videos) that demonstrate your approach to therapy to publish on your website and to share on social media
Accumulating positive feedback from satisfied clients can be a most useful marketing exercise for attracting new business. Always with the client’s permission, share reviews and testimonials on your website and social media profiles. N.B. Ensuring that it meets Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) rules
Engage in relevant continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities by attending workshops, gaining certifications, and staying up-to-date with the latest research on mental health issues and treatments. This will assist you in being able to add specialisms to your profile
Whereas social media can be a double-edged sword you nonetheless need to consider establishing a strong presence. Consider the following:
Facebook: Produce a professional page for your practice in order to share relevant information about services offered and helpful resources for potential clients
Twitter: Share short snippets of advice or interesting research findings on mental health topics using appropriate hashtags
LinkedIn: Produce an informative profile highlighting your experience and training, participate in groups related to mental health care, and participate in discussions
Instagram: Share visually appealing content like inspirational quotes, infographics etc
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The Trouble with Zoom?
Many Zoom users may already be familiar with the well-publicised privacy risks that have previously been cited but for those who may be unaware we would direct you to the below link:
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The Administration Team
Views expressed within the above material and any conclusions reached are those of the author/s
and not necessarily shared by the GHR or the GHSC
©General Hypnotherapy Register
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