Succeeding as a Therapist: How to Create a Thriving Practice in a Changing World

This user-friendly, practical guide summarizes everything therapists need to know about setting up, growing, and protecting their independent therapy practice.

In this book, a team of experienced psychologists with diverse experiences and perspectives guides readers through the common and not-so-common challenges inherent in managing an independent practice. Given that the COVID pandemic has changed therapy from a service typically delivered in person to one often conducted via teleconference, therapists need to ensure that their practice meets the changing needs of their clients as well as themselves. The chapters flow from initial preparation for successful independent practice and creating a business plan, to closing or selling a practice, and everything in between, including:

• Helping clients find you
• Preparing for emergencies
• Self and community care
• Legal, insurance, and financial issues

The authors also provide key resources including professional guidelines relevant to therapists, recommendations for responding to subpoenas and submitting records testimony, providing information to professional will executors, and semi-structured interviews and assessments with different types of clients.

Hector Y. Adames, PsyD, received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Wright State University in Ohio and completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Boston University School of Medicine's Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology (CMTP). Currently, he is a licensed psychologist and a Professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago Campus and the Co-Director of the IC-RACE Lab (Immigration Critical Race and Cultural Equity Lab). He has earned several awards including the 2018 Distinguished Emerging Professional Research Award from The Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race, a Division of the American Psychological Association. Follow Dr. Adames on Twitter, Instagram, or visit the IC-RACE Lab.

Nayeli Y. Chavez-Dueñas, PhD, received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She is a Professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) where she serves as the faculty coordinator for the concentration in Latinx Mental Health in the Counseling Psychology Department. She is the Co-Director of the IC-RACE Lab (Immigration Critical Race and Cultural Equity Lab). Her research focuses on colorism, skin-color differences, parenting styles, immigration, unaccompanied minors, multiculturalism, and race relations. She has earned a number of awards including the 2018 American Psychological Association (APA) Distinguished Citizen Psychologist Award. Follow Dr. Chavez-Dueñas on Twitter, Instagram, or visit the IC-RACE Lab.

Melba J.T. Vasquez, PhD, ABPP, is in independent practice in Austin, Texas. She served as President of the American Psychological Association in 2011 and is the first Latina and Woman of Color of 120 presidencies of APA to serve in that role. Dr. Vasquez also served a term on the APA Board of Directors. She obtained her doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1978. She is a coauthor of a book, Multicultural Therapy: A Practice Imperative, and is coauthor of six editions of Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide. Dr. Vasquez has also published about 100 book chapters and journal articles in the areas of professional ethics, ethnic minority psychology, psychology of women, counseling and psychotherapy, and leadership. She has served on numerous editorial boards. 

Kenneth S. Pope, PhD, ABPP, is a licensed psychologist. A Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science (APS), he served as chair of the Ethics Committees of the American Board of Professional Psychology and the American Psychological Association (APA). He received the APA Award for Distinguished Contributions to Public Service, the APA Division 12 Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Clinical Psychology, the Canadian Psychological Association's John C. Service Member of the Year Award, and the Ontario Psychological Association's Barbara Wand Award for significant contribution to excellence in professional ethics and standards. To learn more about Dr. Pope's work, visit https://kspope.com/.