What’s so Special about Your Practice? An unabashed(?) Confession of Vancouver-based Psychotherapist

“What’s so special about your practice? What makes you (Julie) unique and the right fit for me?”

I’ve been asked this question by new clients from time to time in inquiry calls and first sessions and I’ve always felt a bit stumped at first because of my cultural background that has ingrained into me the need for self-effacement and humility. As a result, my initial internal reaction is usually a resounding voice in my head that states authoritatively, “No, say you’re nothing special and that there are many more seasoned professionals more skilled and qualified than you!” while I smile confidentially (hopefully) and reply that, even though, yes, there are many, many more seasoned professionals more skilled and qualified than I am – even in the same professional building – that it is my friendly and comfortable approach that will help me build a fantastic rapport with them.

But, really, that’s a perfunctory answer. So, what does make me/my practice unique?

What makes people come back and ask for more (lecture – I mean, sessions)?

What motivates my clients recommend me to their friends and work colleagues, even those whom I have not seen in a while?

What allows me to survive mostly on word-of-mouth rather than massive social-media campaigns and marketing strategies that I have yet to do despite my boasts two years ago because yes, I’ve still been procrastinating – and proud of it?!

Anyway, if I really must brag and self-identify some reasons, I think it might be the following:

1. I’m a lot funnier in real life – no joke. My blog posts can be a hit or a miss depending on whether I’m brain-dead when I write them, but when I’m live and in action I’d like to believe I can give my client’s money’s worth. I don’t think I’ve ever really had a day  when I could not make multiple clients burst out laughing and ending the sessions on a joy note. I’m able to build great rapport with humor and inside jokes with long-term clients and am privileged enough to be able to use the understanding to not only deepen the connection but also to nudge them “gently” into the changes they want to see in themselves (e.g., “What did I say about eating healthier?!?! What did we say about motivation? Good, let’s review the food groups – AGAIN!”)
2. I’m unconventional. Aside from traditional therapeutic techniques, I also invent a lot of my own strategies (based on theories) and use different means to achieve progress, which brings me to one of the following such as…
3. I do my homework. I don’t mean keeping up with self-study, checking out literature, and review of notes to prepare for sessions (which every ethical professional should do by default), but I self-impose homework unique to clients to help me understand them better and to facilitate therapeutic progress. One of the most recent and, admittedly, a bit unorthodox, examples is promising a client with resistance that I’d watch “Twilight”. Don’t ask why because it’s “confidential.” I promise I’ve a good reason! 😉
4. I educate. I don’t just stick to therapy, but I also incorporate, whenever I can, psychoeducation and discussions on social-justice issues that are current and relevant. For example, introducing the concept of Indigenous rights and child welfare in relevance to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is important, especially to young immigrant clients who have yet to be exposed to, are unaware of, or may not understand the significance of these societal issues. It’s a passion of mine to raise awareness to effect small changes that will hopefully have more significant impact over time as people’s attitudes and conduct change to be more open and accepting.
5. I practice what I preach. I “confront” my clients on many difficult topics regularly and challenge myself to do the same in real life. I understand it is easier to preach than to practice, so I really do try to do what I advise and encourage clients to do in sessions, from practicing being emotionally vulnerable to engaging in proper self-care. I’m by no means perfect but I don’t tell clients to not use verbal aggression or to eat their veggies and fruits daily while bleeping my mouth off outside of sessions to random strangers and familiars alike after a downing a whole bag of chippies (my personal Achilles’ heel)…

Across many studies and meta-analyses, research consistently shows that therapeutic alliance is the single common denominator in treatment success regardless of therapeutic modality (Flückiger et al., 2018; Stubbe, 2018). Therefore, although in the same building I am likely the least seasoned with only 6 years under my belt instead of the prodigious decade(s) like my other professional neighbors, I do have a unique style that contribute to client engagement and retention despite the lack of marketing that I have been advised to emulate.

I guess the final point is likely the fact that I just wrote an entire blog about myself and cannot decide whether I’m advertising or embarrassing myself in the most egregious way online. Oh, well, it’s up to you as the client to decide – if you dare contact and book me, that is!

References

Flückiger, C., Del Re, A. C., Wampold, B. E., & Horvath, A. O. (2018). The alliance in adult psychotherapy: A meta-analytic synthesis. Psychotherapy, 55(4), 316–340. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000172

Stubbe, D. E. (2018). The therapeutic alliance: The fundamental element of psychotherapy. Focus, 16(4), 402–403. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20180022