Darrell Reese, M.S., LMFT, LCDC
1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?
My practice at this point is primarily focused on couples and individuals in relationships, and hoping to get more men in relationships through the door.
2. Tell us about yourself.
I think the thing that got me started working on my practice is no longer wanting to work for anybody. I love helping relationships thrive because I’m a romantic and eternal optimist so I feel like everything can be worked while not losing sight of the reality that not all situations will work out.
3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.
I think the couple I am most proud of helping was a same sex couple that came to me having recently broken up and were using counseling as a last ditch effort to see if they could make it. I was able to help them create a space where they could talk about things and pick up tools to listen to one another which in turn allowed them to start sharing more and feeling good about doing so.
4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?
I would definitely have to say it’s everything that has nothing to do with actually seeing clients. The paperwork, deciding if you’re gonna take insurance and what insurance you’re going to take if you do, marketing etc. Many times it’s a matter of just wanting to see clients and forget about everything else, but that doesn’t make for a successful business of course.
5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\
The top 3 tips I'd give to anyone looking to start are:
- Have a clear understanding of who you would like to work with so marketing becomes easier because you’re confident in who you are as a clinician.
- Don’t be afraid to stand firm on what your rate is and make sure that your rate will fund the life you want to live. If you don’t you’re setting yourself up to be overworked and overwhelmed which leads to burn out.
- Never forget that you’re in the business of helping others, and that it is a business so you have to balance that.