Every summer I write about how scary it can be if you start to experience a slow down in your practice. If this is your first year letting go of insurance panels, you may be feeling even a little more scared.

There is a cyclical nature to private practice. Often we notice the phone rings less during the summer. Our new fee-for-service clients skip weeks or maybe decide to stop coming at all. It can be nerve-racking.

So what can you do?

1) Make this a time that you reconnect with past referral sources. Write a note. Bring them coffee. Schedule some lunches. But make sure you only do this with people you enjoy. It can be fun and profitable - and now you have the time to do it!

2) Learn about marketing your practice with technology. Technology will be the number one way we get clients in the next decade. Learn about Online Therapist Locators, websites and blogs. Ask your 15-year old nephew to teach you. I have rarely met a therapist, coach or healer who didn’t enjoy technology once it was explained to them in ways they could understand.

3) De-clutter your office and your home. We just remodeled and our home is very clean. I am working hard not to get it overflowing with papers I will not ever look at again!

4) Count your money. Do the revenue assignments we have discussed. Determine how much money you made each month last year and to-date this year. This can really help us prepare for the lulls. If you see that July is traditionally a slow month for you, it might not come as such a big surprise if it is slow again this year.

5)Spiff up your marketing plan. Go through your marketing study materials. What can you set in place now that will help you attract more clients in the months to come?

Every summer I also write about how my office-mate Janeen said to me once “You know you’ve made it when you enjoy the lulls.”

She is 100% right and you can eventually enjoy and even look forward to the lulls in your practice.

Have a great weekend!