Tips for developing a thriving health psychology practice

While many clinical health psychologists work in health care settings, there is a need for outpatient clinicians in the private sector. The demand for ongoing outpatient psychotherapy services for people with medical problems far exceeds the supply. Despite this, therapists who are interested in developing a health psychology practice can find it challenging to navigate the challenges specific to this type of practice.

Clinical health psychology is its own specialty with increasingly specialized subdivisions. For example, psycho-oncology is a specialty area within clinical health psychology, and it is common for practitioners to further specialize or limit their practice to a single type of cancer (for example, women with breast cancer).

The advantage of such specialization is that the practitioner may develop a deeper understanding of the health condition more quickly than would be possible if the practice included people with any type of cancer or even more broadly, people coping with health problems. One disadvantage is that undue limitations in scope of practice do not allow learning that can generalize across health conditions.

Building connections with healthcare providers

Before settling on an area of practice, it is beneficial to reach out to health care providers who work in the field of interest. Community therapists are often urged to look for a “physician champion.” While it is true that a relationship with physicians can be immensely helpful, there is often a medical social worker or psychologist already connected to the patient population. Such individuals often seek therapists in the community as referral resources. A brief conversation with healthcare providers already immersed in the setting can be immensely helpful in understanding the outpatient needs of the target population.

Communication

Therapists guard patient privacy and with good reason. But if the client has provided consent, communication between the mental health provider and the healthcare professional is important. It can be difficult for the medical provider to know whether a patient has followed up on a referral or to coordinate care if the therapist does not reach out to the referring provider. Often, health psychologists find that a select few psychologically-minded medical providers are responsible for most clients referred to mental health treatment. A quick note or follow-up call goes a long way toward providing coordinated care for the patient.

Health insurance

Many therapists do not accept health insurance but the same is not true of most medical providers in hospital or other healthcare settings. From the perspective of the person already coping with medical problems, it may be unreasonable or not feasible to pay out of pocket for psychotherapy. It is more difficult to develop a practice in clinical health psychology for therapists who do not participate in any insurance panels, compared to those who do accept insurance. It is possible, since health problems affect people at every socioeconomic level. But people with medical problems are uniquely vulnerable. Consideration of the patient’s long-term needs and resources is warranted before embarking on a course of treatment.

Flexibility

Unsurprisingly, people with serious health problems may reschedule or cancel appointments if they are sick or experience last-minute changes in their medical treatment. Therapists who work with clients coping with advanced cancers or other late-stage health problems need to stay flexible in this regard. Clients may not be able to maintain a standing appointment or provide sufficient advance notice of the need to reschedule. Therapists have their own needs for predictability and consistent income stream. It is advisable to speak openly about this prior to the commencement of treatment.

Training and education

More training is better! But this type of education and training can be difficult to obtain for established practitioners. Mentorship or supervision from an established clinical health psychologist is one way to practice within one’s scope of competence. Continuing education courses and books can be invaluable. Most importantly, listening to the patient underscores that no two people experience the same health problem in the same way.

Balance

Though it is rewarding to provide therapy for people who have advanced diseases or who are at end of life, the intensity can take a toll on the therapist. Mental health providers who maintain balance in both load and self-care are best able to sustain a practice in clinical health psychology.

New Year

The advent of the new year is a time to reflect on practice opportunities! There is an unmet need in the private practice sector for clinicians who practice in this exciting field.