This course is new or has been updated recently.

This book was written to help you create a successful practice that serves your clients ethically and effectively; supports yourself financially; and matches who you are, your values, and your vision.

The authors are four diverse psychologists from different backgrounds who are passionate about clinical work. Two have started and shaped their own practices, and two are part of a group practice. They have pooled what they learned along the way—including from their missteps—to give you basic information, guidance, and resources to grow an ethical practice that is right for you and your community.

In part, this means that the practice is a sound business and a financial success. Equally important, the practice must be consistent with your deepest values, represent who you are, and contribute to a meaningful life that brings you joy (at least some of the time) and fulfillment.

We want to help you create the fulfilling and meaningful practice that you want, that you have dreamed about, and that you deserve. As you set about creating a practice that is right for you, consider writing down your hopes, dreams, values, and goals.

Categories may include one or more of the following:

• helping people
• making money
• promoting colleague networking and companionship
• providing services to particular populations
• developing a niche practice
• providing supervision and training
• having an attractive, secure office

Check each major decision you make against those criteria. Will the decision bring you closer to your goals? Does it fit your values and help you fulfill them? Does it keep your hopes and dreams alive? Does it make you feel excited, energized, and eager to go to work each morning? That list can be helpful not only as you make each key decision but also as part of an annual self-evaluation: How have your hopes, dreams, values, and goals changed? In regard to your practice: Where is there room for improvement, and what do you want or need to change? Creating a sound practice that is right for you is a wonderfully exciting challenge. Let's get started.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the clinician will be able to:

• create a realistic business plan, including securing necessary professional partners, such as attorneys and accountants.
• analyze and determine the best office location, software, and insurance for their business.
• maintain useful and safe client records.
• prepare and implement a plan for crisis and potentially dangerous situations.
• create a self-care plan, including avoiding common missteps, compassion fatigue and burnout, and navigating boundaries.
• prepare and implement a plan for unexpected situations, such as pregnancy, illness, errors, and/or licensing or malpractice complaints.
• plan for terminations with clients and the closing of their business.

Syllabus / Course Instructions

• This course is suitable for CE for beginning, intermediate and advanced level clinicians.
• The Course consists of reading the selected book, successfully completing an online posttest and filling out a course evaluation.
• The printed book or ebook is not included. It must be purchased separately. We have supplied a link to Amazon.com for your convenience.
• Purchasing your course will give you access to both a printable copy of the test and an online version of the test. Print the test to use as a companion as you read the book and answer the questions.
• You cannot exit the online test once you begin, so have your answers available.

Additional Resources On This Site for CE

• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
  by James Clear: 13 CE Credits
• Maybe You Should Talk To Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed (This course is not available for CE for psychologists))
  by Lori Gottlieb: 17 CE Credits
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: 25th Anniversary Edition
  by Stephen R. Covey, PhD: 15 CE Credits
• The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts
  by Gary Chapman, PhD: 8 CE Credits
• Boundaries: When to Say Yes and How to Say No
  by Henry Cloud and John Townsend: 12 CE Credits
• Atlas of The Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
  by Brene’ Brown, PhD, MSW: 13 CE Credits
• What Happened To You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing
  by Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD and Ophrah Winfrey: 13 CE Credits
• ACT Made Simple (2nd Edition)
  by Russ Harris, MD: 16 CE Credits
• 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos
  by Jordan B. Peterson: 17 CE Credits
• The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing from Trauma
  by Bessel van der Kolk, MD: 14 CE Credits

Bio: Kenneth Pope S., PhD, ABPP

Kenneth S. Pope, PhD, ABPP, received graduate degrees from Harvard and Yale and has been in independent practice as a licensed psychologist since the mid-1980s. A diplomate in clinical psychology, he has authored or coauthored more than 100 articles and chapters in peer-reviewed scientific and professional journals and books. He was elected a charter fellow of the American Psychological Society and a fellow of American Psychological Association.

Based on his research in the 1970's on therapist-patient sex, he co-founded the UCLA Post-Therapy Support Program, the first center offering services, conducting research, and providing university-based training for graduate students and therapists seeking to work with people who had been sexually exploited by therapists. In the early 1980's he was the director of clinical programs for a consortium of community mental health centers and hospitals. His publications include 10 articles in American Psychologist and 11 books.

As a fellow of the Association for Psychological Science (APS), he served as chair of the Ethics Committees of the American Board of Professional Psychology and APA. He received the APA Award for Distinguished Contributions to Public Service, the APA Division 12 Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Clinical Psychology, the Canadian Psychological Association's ?John C. Service Member of the Year Award?, and the Ontario Psychological Association's ?Barbara Wand Award? for significant contribution to excellence in professional ethics and standards.

One of his main interests is the family of special-needs dogs and cats that live in his home and whose photos and stories can be seen at www.kenpope.com. He provides a free psychology news service for psychologists, psychiatrists and others (anyone is welcome to join the mailing list). Each day he emails three to six messages regarding the mental health field.

Bio: Hector Y. Adames, PsyD

Hector Y. Adames, PsyD, received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Wright State University in Ohio and completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Boston University School of Medicine's Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology (CMTP). Currently, he is a licensed psychologist and a professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago Campus and the codirector of the IC-RACE Lab (Immigration Critical Race and Cultural Equity Lab). He has earned several awards including the 2018 Distinguished Emerging Professional Research Award from The Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race, a Division of APA.

Bio: Melba J.T. Vasquez, PhD, ABPP

Melba J. T. Vasquez, PhD, is in independent practice in Austin, Texas. She has served as president of the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2011. She is the first Latina and Woman of Color to serve in that role. Her theme for the 2011 APA convention was social justice.

Dr. Vasquez also served a term on the APA Board of Directors. She is a former president of the Texas Psychological Association and of APA Divisions 35 (Society for the Psychology of Women) and 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology). She is a cofounder of APA Division 45 (Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race), and of the National Multicultural Conference and Summit. She is a fellow of 11 divisions of the APA and holds the Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology. Dr. Vasquez has been honored with more than 50 awards for distinguished professional contributions, career service, leadership, advocacy and mentorship.

Bio: Nayeli Y. Chavez-Duenas, PhD

Nayeli Y. Chavez-Duenas, PhD, received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She is a Professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) where she serves as the faculty coordinator for the concentration in Latinx Mental Health in the Counseling Psychology Department. She is the Co-Director of the IC-RACE Lab (Immigration Critical Race and Cultural Equity Lab). Her research focuses on colorism, skin-color differences, parenting styles, immigration, unaccompanied minors, multiculturalism, and race relations. She has earned a number of awards including the 2018 American Psychological Association (APA) Distinguished Citizen Psychologist Award.