PoP Culture, Meet Nicole Gillispie, LCSW, LMFT

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I sent an email out to folks on my email list (click here to join or learn about it). I said to them that I wanted to feature them on my website. I thought to myself, I know them, they know me, but y’all don’t know one another!

Today I want to introduce you to Nicole Gillispie, LCSW, LMFT

Name: Nicole Gillispie, LCSW, LMFT

Practice: www.nicoletherapy.com

What’s something you learned from Practice of the Practice?

I’ve learned so much from Practice of the Practice. I just discovered your podcast a few months ago and have listened to all of the episodes in a short time. I have also recommended it to many of my therapist friends. One major thing I have learned from Practice of the Practice is to embrace the idea that there is nothing wrong with making a lot of money as a helping professional. I believe strongly that in order to be my best self as a therapist I have to be fulfilled in my life, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially!

 

What is your therapeutic specialty?

I work primarily with adolescent girls who are dealing with anxiety, depression, and issues related to identity. I love to walk with these young women on the path to self-love and self-acceptance.

What is an action you took to grow your private practice?

I have recently begun my first group. This group is called, Journey to Self; being me, loving me. This group is for high school aged females and centers around issues of self-love, identity, body-image issues, peer relationships, etc. This is an outlet for teenage girls to express themselves fully without fear of judgement and to find ways and embrace the beauty of who they are! I think that this will help grow my practice because as girls join the group they may recognize deeper issues and continue in individual treatment.

Complete this sentence: When I first started a private practice, I…

was terrified! I had worked for an agency for four years and was used to being told exactly what to do and what was expected of me. At first the idea of making all of these decisions on my own was truly terrifying but I have learned to embrace it and know really love being my own boss. I have found Practice of the Practice a very helpful tool in becoming more comfortable with this part of myself and my work!

How have you grown your income and influence?

I have been working in private practice for two years. The first year I dedicated very little energy to growing my income and influence. In the last year, with the help of your podcast, I have become much more comfortable with the idea of marketing myself and what I have to offer. I have begun a group for adolescent girls with a co-therapist and will be offering this service to local schools. I have collaborated with a local women’s health clinic as a referral base. I work closely with a International non-profit called Woman Within and their male counter-part, the Mankind Project. Many of my referrals come from these organizations. I also have received specialized training in the last two years in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Emotionally Focused Therapy with couples.

What’s next for you?

As I continue to grow in my private practice over the next year I would like to eventually stop working for our local community mental health organization and move solely into private practice. In order to do this successfully I would like to increase my on-line presence by starting a blog- most likely focused on adolescent females empowerment! I also have tentative plans to create some sort of festival/event

 

What is one specific podcast or article that helped you grow quickly?

Like I said I have listened to every episode of Practice of the Practice in about a three months period. I particularly found valuable, Transitioning to full time private practice, Social Media Tips, and Get a 6 figure practice now!

If every counselor in the world was reading this, what would you want them to know?

I would want them to know that their work matters. If they are reaching one person or one thousand it matters. I would want them to know the importance of self-care and self-inventory- meaning do the work yourself if you expect your client’s to go there with you!

What are 2-3 resources you love? How do you use them to grow your practice?

I use Simple Practice (a recommendation from Practice of the Practice). This resource has been a huge help in streamlining my work flow, staying organized, and spending much less time doing paperwork, etc. This way I have more time to spend with clients and other areas of my business! Another resource that I find very helpful is Quickbooks for Self Employed.  I’m not a numbers gal and this makes it quick and easy to keep track of expenses, income, miles traveled, etc.!  Although I haven’t begun using this resource for my Private Practice yet I use Canva for other projects!  Canva is a super user friendly design app to make graphics for Facebook, Instagram, etc.

Joseph R. Sanok, MA, LLP, LPC, NCC

Joe Sanok Private Practice Consultant

Joe Sanok is an ambitious results expert. He is a private practice business consultant and counselor that helps small businesses and counselors in private practice to increase revenue and have more fun! He helps owners with website design, vision, growth, and using their time to create income through being a private practice consultant.

Joe was frustrated with his lack of business and marketing skills when he left graduate school. He loved helping people through counseling, but felt that often people couldn’t find him. Over the past few years he has grown his skills, income, and ability to lead others, while still maintaining an active private practice in Traverse City, MI.

To link to Joe’s Google+ .