A few therapists have asked me lately if they should take a day job. Their funds are running low as they try and build their practice.

First of all, it bears repeating that one cannot expect to build a full practice in a few weeks or even a few months . Sure, some people do but most people take a few years to build their private practice. So please don’t use your last six weeks of savings (or even six months) to start a practice.

Second, when you are running out of money, it is easy to make some bad choices in your practice. Sheldon Kopp once wrote, "When you are starting out and a gorilla walks into your office with a $10 bill, take it and tell him to lie down on the couch."

That may make us smile but please don’t do it. You must be smart about whom you choose as your client. If you are desperate for money, you may not choose well.

Also, trying to market a practice when you are desperate simply doesn’t work. Clients pick up on it.

Some clinicians have asked me, "Is it a sign of failure if I have to go back and get a job? After all, I left my agency with big dreams for a private practice."

Of course it isn’t a failure. In fact, for some it is a very good and responsible idea . I took (and subsequently left) many psych hospital jobs as I built my practice. I even took a job with the city working with seniors in nursing homes. I taught "dexterity and object orientation." But if you watched the class, you’d call it Bingo.

I’d work for a while, save up some money, and quit. I’d see a couple of clients for a while. Then I’d run out of money and repeat the cycle.

Finally, a colleague told me that I needed to accumulate some money and then get serious about marketing my practice. I did and that was the last time I worked for someone else.

I t is very important that you have the money to fund your marketing efforts . Here are five ways to fund your living and business expenses in the beginning or when your caseload hits a really big lull.

1) If you have a healthy savings account already which will cover your expenses for at least a year, good for you! But when your savings dips below the amount you need for six months of living and business expenses, consider augmenting your savings with one of the other strategies here.

2) You could apply for a loan from a bank or the Small Business Administration . For some this is a very good strategy. For me, it meant more debt and I wasn’t up to it.

3) You could accept money from family and friends . One coach I worked with suggested I borrow $1,000 from 10 friends or family members and go all-out on marketing. Then she suggested I pay them back in one year. There are two things that struck me with this approach (which is why I ignored it.) I have discovered that friends and family often have agendas for you - especially if they give or lend you money. And at that time, I had no idea how to effectively use $10,000. So, I stayed away from this strategy.

4) Perhaps you have additional income and aren’t the sole supporter of your family . Perhaps your spouse makes enough money to support your living expenses and can help with the early funding of your business.

5) You can keep the day job while plugging away at building your private practice until you have at least three consecutive months where your private practice income covers your business and personal expenses. Then say goodbye to the day job!

If you do take a "day job," it doesn’t really have to be during the day. I am referring to a job that pays the bills while you are working on building your private practice.

And try to be creative with those daytime hours. Can you work part time - 2, 3 or 4 days a week - which leaves time for private practice clients and marketing? Can you adjust the time of your work hours? I used to work 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a hospital and then saw clients from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in my practice. It was a lot of work for a while but I loved it. As your practice builds, see if you can cut back your day job hours.

So, if you are running out of money, consider a taking a temporary job. You will be honoring yourself and your practice.

And me? I really loved the jobs I had. But if I had to take a part time job today, I’d work at Nordstroms so I could get the employee discount. (You think I am kidding?)

Happy practice building!

Love and blessings,
Casey