You have your area of expertise but you are still not in private practice. Perhaps you are working in a clinical setting and pursuing your license or perhaps you are devoted to some other kind of clinical, research or academic endeavor.  How do you prime the pump for referrals?

One method is to begin to offer workshops in your area of expertise.  You've been attending workshops and coursework in your interest area. Now, put on your own workshop for clinicians interested in this specialty area. If you feel you are too new and inexperienced to do this, there are several approaches you might take.  You might partner with a more experienced clinician. You can agree to do a lot of the spadework in exchange for being mentored by a more experienced professional. Another possibility is that you can set up continuous workshops on the topic - and bring in other (more senior) experts to speak. In this way, you can serve in a leadership capacity while connecting with local (or even national) experts in your area. You could even do this on a fee-for-service basis.  Alternatively, you can join a local mental health association and volunteer to serve on the programming committee.  These are all wonderful ways to learn and to establish collegial relationships. If you are interested in more of my thoughts on this topic, you might check out this article that I've written. www.drlynnfriedman.com/passporttonetworking.html

Best to all, LVF

Confidentiality Policy: Please note for reasons of confidentiality and copyright all letters to the blogger will be summarized and edited. Also, I will not write about real patients. Instead, I will create fictionalized vignettes. When you pose a clinical question, please ask it in a general way. DO NOT write about real patients. Thank you.
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Lynn Friedman, Ph.D. Psychologist, psychoanalyst, work-life consultant 
Faculty Associate, Johns Hopkins University 
5480 Wisconsin Avenue Chevy Chase, MD 20815 
301.656.9650 
www.drlynnfriedman.com 
www.corporationsonthecouch.com 
www.drlynnfriedman.typepad.com 
www.twitter.com/drlynnfriedman 
For those seeking, evaluation for psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, supervision or consultation, I welcome your call. 
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