Setting up in Private Practice

Fiona Firman PTSTA and Fiona Melvin-Farr, Marketing Consultant

Advanced trainees and qualified counsellors & psychotherapists setting up or recently having set up in private practice

This one-day workshop will provide you with an introduction to Private Practice as a Counsellor or Psychotherapist. With a focus on the practical, this workshop will provide you with a solid foundation to ensure your Private Practice is safe, ethical and successful.

We will focus on two main areas - the first area will focus on what needs to be in place before you begin working with clients, including the initial sessions and how to work ethically and safely. The second area will focus on how to market your Private Practice including understanding basic business and marketing principles, how to raise awareness of yourself as a counsellor and/or psychotherapist, and how to generate income. It will help you think about what you might need to consider and get started.

• To provide a space for you to reflect on whether Private Practice is the right choice for you
• To explore your narrative around professional development, considering what is motivating you and what ‘being seen’ and being successful mean for you
• To increase your understanding of what is required to set up a successful Private Practice
• How to raise awareness of yourself as a counsellor and attract clients
• To provide you with some of the tools and resources needed to launch a successful Private Practice, including how to prioritise your self-care

• You will develop an understanding of the key questions to consider before launching your Private Practice including your motivation for doing so, if Private Practice is the right choice for you, your narrative around ‘being seen’, success etc
• You will explore and critically assess what needs to be in place before you begin seeing clients
• You will develop a framework for how to structure your initial sessions, including your treatment and business contract and client assessment
• You will evaluate how to work ethically and safely in Private Practice
• You will develop an understanding of basic marketing and business principles
• You will be introduced to digital marketing and how to create an online presence including social media
• You will explore other business operational considerations such as registering as self-employed

• One day workshop will be interactive and experiential
• Opportunities to ask questions and share ideas in the group

£100 including VAT

Fiona Firman, BA (Hons), PG (TA Counselling), MSc (Psych). PTSTA, CPT (P) is a psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer based in Edinburgh, where she runs a private practice. Fiona is a Director at Physis Scotland and co-teaches on the Foundation Year programme.

Fiona has extensive experience in working with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse with the voluntary and statutory sectors, as well as in private practice. She has a special interest in working with clients who present with a Borderline process, and/or have a formal diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.

Chrysallis Counselling & Psychotherapy

Fiona Melvin-Farr, BA (Hons) Business Studies, CIM Chartered Marketer, CIM Diploma in Marketing

Fiona Melvin-Farr a marketing consultant and CIM-accredited Chartered Marketeer, has been working with Physis Scotland since launch, advising, developing and implementing the marketing strategy, branding and communications.

Fiona established her marketing consultancy in 2001 and works closely with clients to support their development, across a range of sectors. She has served as a Board Member for several organisations including a housing charity.

fiona melvin-farr consulting

photo by Sarnel Hasanoic - at unsplash.com

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Physis Scotland, 22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, United Kingdom