{"title":"Being a Good Caring Person Is All I Need in Order to Practice Ethically and Reduce My Risk of a Malpractice Claim","authors":"J. E. Barnett, J. Zimmerman","doi":"10.1093/med-psych/9780190900762.003.0028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/med-psych/9780190900762.003.0028","url":null,"abstract":"In general, mental health practitioners are very caring, compassionate, good people. Yet, even so, and even when working diligently to provide the best care possible to clients, it is possible to engage in unethical behaviors and be at risk of a malpractice claim. This chapter explains how ethical practice and effective risk management go far beyond being a nice and caring person. Specific guidance is provided on how to think and reason ethically, especially when confronted with ethical dilemmas and clinically complex and challenging situations. Specific risk management strategies that every mental health practitioner should engage in on an ongoing basis are explained. Guidance is provided on how to act in a manner consistent with one’s values to promote a good working relationship with clients, while ensuring ethical practice and active risk management.","PeriodicalId":218045,"journal":{"name":"If You Build It They Will Come","volume":"40 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116309643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Being Known as a Generalist Will Position My Practice Well in the Community","authors":"J. E. Barnett, J. Zimmerman","doi":"10.1093/MED-PSYCH/9780190900762.003.0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/MED-PSYCH/9780190900762.003.0004","url":null,"abstract":"Although mental health clinicians share a range of general clinical skills, and although each of these skills is important to providing excellent clinical care, such skills are not sufficient for success in the business of private practice. This chapter addresses this myth and shares how mental health clinicians must position themselves in their local market in order to be successful. Specific guidance is provided on how to develop specialty areas and niche areas of practice. It is made clear how these will assist private practitioners to differentiate themselves from local competitors and to better meet the treatment needs of their local community. Concrete steps for developing and building a successful niche practice are provided along with useful resources that may be consulted and utilized to help ensure success in developing and running a niche or specialty practice.","PeriodicalId":218045,"journal":{"name":"If You Build It They Will Come","volume":"20 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125617656","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Insurance Companies Just Care About Profits and I Care About My Patients, So It Is OK to Bend the Rules to Get Paid","authors":"J. E. Barnett, J. Zimmerman","doi":"10.1093/med-psych/9780190900762.003.0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/med-psych/9780190900762.003.0006","url":null,"abstract":"It may be easy to think that because insurance companies are so profitable it is acceptable to engage in ethically or legally questionable practices to ensure that clients receive needed treatment services and that one is paid at the level one thinks appropriate. Mental health clinicians should remember the ethics of their profession and always act in keeping with this. Further, it is important to fulfill all contractual obligations agreed to with insurance companies. This chapter explains these obligations, the challenges and dilemmas that commonly arise, and ways to respond to them in an ethically appropriate manner. The ethical pitfalls that commonly arise when working with insurance companies are explained, and specific recommendations for avoiding these pitfalls are provided. Further, guidance is offered on how to assess key elements of contracts with insurance companies so that thoughtful and informed decisions can be made about participation with these companies before difficulties are experienced.","PeriodicalId":218045,"journal":{"name":"If You Build It They Will Come","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123617792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"There Is No Need to Have a Budget or Business Plan","authors":"J. E. Barnett, J. Zimmerman","doi":"10.1093/med-psych/9780190900762.003.0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/med-psych/9780190900762.003.0014","url":null,"abstract":"The business of mental health practice may be quite complex and for those without education and training in the business of practice, it may seem quite daunting. Failure to approach the private practice of mental health from a business perspective may doom one’s practice to failure. This chapter addresses the role of a business plan, explains how it is used, and describes the essential elements that guide practitioners in making decisions relevant to the structuring and running of their practice. The importance of preparation and a detailed business plan, as well as an accompanying budget, is explained. The ways in which such tools can assist mental health clinicians to appropriately plan for and address the many structural, financial, and other challenges that commonly arise in the course of running a business are discussed. Practical strategies and concrete suggestions are offered to help mental health practitioners develop and maintain a financially viable private practice.","PeriodicalId":218045,"journal":{"name":"If You Build It They Will Come","volume":"4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125669514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"I’m the Boss. Who Needs Policies and Procedures?","authors":"J. E. Barnett, J. Zimmerman","doi":"10.1093/med-psych/9780190900762.003.0016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/med-psych/9780190900762.003.0016","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter illustrates how every mental health practice needs a number of key policies and procedures in place from the outset. Risks to the success of the practice financially as well as ethically and legally are highlighted. Specific policies to create and use are described, and their role for promoting the provision of effective clinical services is explained. Policies relevant to business aspects of running a private mental health practice, setting clear expectations of staff and employee relations and responsibilities, and for responding to or addressing client needs and expectations are provided. Key policies explained in detail include payment, participation in insurance and managed care, fees, requests for records and release of information, and others. How to incorporate such policies into the informed consent process with clients is described.","PeriodicalId":218045,"journal":{"name":"If You Build It They Will Come","volume":"4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131352259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"If I “Sell Out” to the Business of Practice, I Give Up My Core Value of Altruism","authors":"J. E. Barnett, J. Zimmerman","doi":"10.1093/med-psych/9780190900762.003.0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/med-psych/9780190900762.003.0003","url":null,"abstract":"Mental health clinicians in private practice are business persons who have the goal of running a successful business. It is easy to believe that those who are highly successful in the business of private practice care primarily about making money and that they have lost their focus on caring for others and addressing their mental health treatment needs. This chapter examines how running an ethically responsible successful practice is essential for assisting and caring for others. It highlights how clinicians may run a financially successful private practice and remain true to the values that led them to pursue a career as a mental health professional. Specific recommendations are provided for being financially successful while remaining true to one’s values.","PeriodicalId":218045,"journal":{"name":"If You Build It They Will Come","volume":"42 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133110696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Video Conferencing and Tele-Mental Health Technologies Are Easy Ways to Build My Practice","authors":"J. E. Barnett, J. Zimmerman","doi":"10.1093/med-psych/9780190900762.003.0011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/med-psych/9780190900762.003.0011","url":null,"abstract":"The use of video conferencing and other tele-mental health technologies may seem like an easy way to build one’s private mental health practice. Many individuals around the world do not have ready access to qualified mental health clinicians in their local area, but they do have access to the Internet. This may then seem like an obvious way to build one’s practice. But, as this chapter explains, myriad clinical, ethical, and legal issues and challenges must be considered before providing mental health assessment and treatment services across distances utilizing these technologies. Specific recommendations and key resources are offered to prepare mental health clinicians for the ethical, legal, and clinically appropriate provision of clinical services through the use of these various tele-mental health technologies.","PeriodicalId":218045,"journal":{"name":"If You Build It They Will Come","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130760426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"If You Build It, They Will Never Come","authors":"J. E. Barnett, J. Zimmerman","doi":"10.1093/MED-PSYCH/9780190900762.003.0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/MED-PSYCH/9780190900762.003.0008","url":null,"abstract":"Some individuals may fear that the days of successful private mental health practices are over. This myth could not be further from the truth. This chapter highlights important data on the need for competent mental health professionals and the dearth of qualified mental health clinicians in many communities. Specific mental health services where there is a great need, where there often is not much competition for qualified clinicians, and where managed care is not involved are described. How to assess the mental health assessment and treatment needs of one’s local community and how to fit the services one offers into meeting these needs is explained. Specific strategies are offered for developing a viable and financially successful private mental health practice that is responsive to community needs and sustainable over time.","PeriodicalId":218045,"journal":{"name":"If You Build It They Will Come","volume":"8 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122749608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"If I Receive a Subpoena I Should Turn Over the Client’s Records Immediately, or Be Prepared for Serious Legal Consequences","authors":"J. E. Barnett, J. Zimmerman","doi":"10.1093/MED-PSYCH/9780190900762.003.0023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/MED-PSYCH/9780190900762.003.0023","url":null,"abstract":"Receiving a subpoena or court order are among the most stressful and potentially confusing events for mental health practitioners. This chapter explains the private practitioner’s obligations when receiving a subpoena, important steps to take before releasing client records or answering questions about a client’s treatment, and how to respond in a manner that does not jeopardize the client’s rights or welfare. The various types of subpoenas are explained, the practitioner’s actual obligations and options for responding are reviewed, and the steps to take to incorporate the client’s wishes and best interests are addressed. Recommendations are provided for how to prepare for the possibility of receiving a subpoena regarding any current or former client, the role of legal and risk-management consultation in these matters, and how consultants may assist clinicians to protect themselves and their clients’ interests while complying with legal obligations.","PeriodicalId":218045,"journal":{"name":"If You Build It They Will Come","volume":"13 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114542202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"You Are Ethically Obligated to Take Insurance, Offer a Sliding Scale Fee, or See Some People Free of Charge","authors":"J. E. Barnett, J. Zimmerman","doi":"10.1093/med-psych/9780190900762.003.0029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/med-psych/9780190900762.003.0029","url":null,"abstract":"Mental health practitioners are obligated to follow their profession’s code of ethics and to operate based on its values in their professional roles. As this chapter explains, this includes both enforceable standards and aspirational values. This chapter explains how to be guided by these aspirational values while ensuring compliance with ethics requirements. Guidance is provided on how to separate minimal requirements for ethical practice from optional aspirations that are encouraged in living out the profession’s values. Specifically, how fees are set and collected, options for payment that take client financial hardship into consideration, and decisions about working with insurance are each addressed. Commonly occurring challenges are described and specific recommendations are provided for proactively addressing each of them to achieve the goal of having a financially successful private practice while ensuring that those in financial need may access needed mental health services.","PeriodicalId":218045,"journal":{"name":"If You Build It They Will Come","volume":"5 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115669172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}