"Kerry offers the highest quality clinical skills in her consultation work. She has the tremendously rare combination of a razor-sharp clinical mind paired with a deep empathy and caring She is a wizard with practice development consultation and has deeply impacted my ability to conceptualize and realize my own possibilities as a clinician."

  • -LMFT, Private Practice in Northampton

Services for Therapists

Private Practice Coaching | Professional Consultation

Private Practice Coaching

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I offer private practice coaching for psychotherapists seeking to start a private practice or improve the productivity of their existing practice.

Being a private practitioner can be a daunting experience. If you are just starting out, it is not uncommon to wonder how your skills and talents as a clinician will fit into a community that seems to be brimming over with talented practitioners. If you already have a foothold, the challenge is to conceive of how you can expand to your full potential. We are not taught, as part of our Master’s or Doctorate level training, how to be successful entrepreneurs and business people. Having support and guidance to help you as you embark on these exciting and challenging adventures can be critical.

One thing I find helpful to remember is there is always a need for good psychotherapists in every community, regardless of the demographics and level of saturation.

According to the National Institute for Mental Health:
  • 22.1% of Americans have a diagnosable mental disorder (1 in 5)
  • 15% of the adult population uses mental health services in any given year
  • Only 1/3 of diagnosable Americans receive treatment in 1 year and another 20% of diagnosable individuals receive no treatment.

This means that in a city the size of Northampton, Massachusetts (population 29,287 [2003]), 4393 individuals will seek counseling in any given year, and another 5857 individuals in our community who need therapy will receive no treatment!

"Kerry had great ideas for networking and organization, was very supportive and informative, and seemed to sense just when I needed encouragement. She's a true entrepreneur and I recommend her highly."

-LMHC, Private Practice in Northampton

How I approach customizing and creating the perfect practice with you:

We start with the end goal(s) you would like to attain. For example ...

  • What will your ideal practice look like?
  • What types of clients will you be meeting with and how often will you be seeing people?
  • Where would you like your practice to be in 1, 3 and 5 years?

From there we work our way backwards and create a "map" to help you navigate your way to achieving a thriving private practice. This map is a step-by-step plan designed to help you:

  • Market your services effectively and ethically
  • Accentuate and develop your untapped skills and talents as a business person
  • Increase your confidence as you venture into new and unfamiliar territory professionally
  • Build a steady client referral base
  • Develop and enhance your professional reputation in the community
  • Create a diverse practice that is not solely dependent on third party reimbursement and contracting with HMOs
  • Create HIPAA-compliant and organized practice management systems
FAQ
I hate public speaking and putting myself "out there". Are there other ways to market my practice?
The answer is yes and no. While I don’t believe that you have to engage in public speaking as a community service to generate referrals (but it is a great marketing tool if you like it), I do believe it is important that you make personal face-to-face contact with referral sources. There are many ways to do this, and we can customize a plan that plays to your strengths and preferences. I can also help you create a marketing plan that relies on additional approaches.
What, if any, insurance panels should I apply to?
There are no easy answers to this. The world of health insurance is constantly changing and seems to grow more and more confusing by the day. A healthy practice is a diverse practice. It is not dependent on any one insurance panel for its income but instead draws from a variety of reimbursement sources. Together, we can create a plan that works for you. As your business grows, and the healthcare industry continues to change, your plan can be modified and enhanced to grow with it.
How do I get started?
First, decide on the meeting format that makes the best sense for you. We can work in one of two ways-in person or by phone.
  • In Person: Schedule a regular consultation session. Prior to our initial meeting we will briefly correspond via email so I can gather some initial information regarding your practice and the goals we will be working towards.
  • Phone: Contact me at a time we pre-determine. Prior to the call, I will have you email me basic information regarding your practice and I will ask you to identify the goals you would like to work towards.
  • * Email Support: All private practice coaching clients will receive an additional 30 minutes of email support as a complementary benefit to their consultation services with me.

"When I was setting up my psychotherapy practice, Kerry really helped me with practical business and marketing advice and tips on handling insurance panels, as well as giving me some structure and immediate goals to work toward. Maybe most important, she helped support my belief in myself and to trust that this scary journey into private practice was possible and worth the effort. And it’s already really paying off personally and professionally."

-LICSW, Private Practice in Northampton

Professional Consultation

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I currently offer consultation to psychotherapists working with couples and adults. The strengths that I bring to my work with fellow clinicians include:

  • 17 years of experience in the field of mental health.
  • Extensive experience treating challenging and complex treatment issues, including: mood and thought disorders, self-injurious behavior, adolescents, anxiety/panic disorders, and couples in high distress.
  • A dedication to pursuing and maintaining the highest standards of quality in my work as a therapist and consultant through continued studies, consultation, and attendance at trainings with some of the leading clinicians in the mental health field today.
  • A passion for the art of psychotherapy and a deep respect for all individuals engaged in the process.
  • An eclectic, interactive style, drawing from a range of treatment modalities, characterized by collaborative and down-to-earth dialogue, attentive listening, and thoughtful feedback.

"Kerry has a true passion for learning and a remarkable dedication to excellence in treatment.  She is constantly working to increase and broaden her clinical knowledge. Her mind is always open to new ideas, and she is that rare person who can achieve the delicate balance of both intuitive and critical thinking.  She has the ability to listen both empathically and objectively, which is a rare gift that really benefits her clients."

-Elizabeth M. Petegorsky, LICSW, CEAP, Clinical Administrator and Psychotherapist

Fees
My fee for private practice coaching is $95 for a 50-minute session. For in-person sessions, payment can be made in cash or by check at the time of service. For phone consultations, payment can be mailed directly to me five days prior to our scheduled meeting:
  • Kerry Lusignan, MA, LMHC
  • 94 King Steet, Suite 2D
  • Northampton, MA 01060