You have decided to take the plunge, leave your agency and hang your own private practice shingle. Congrats! One of the biggest and most important decisions you now need to make is figuring out where to office your new practice.
Office space, my fellow therapists, is where you will be spending the majority of your time as well as your gross income. It is be the biggest piece of your expense pie, so you need to choose it carefully. Most important, it’s the space where your clients come for sessions – and you want (and need!) them to keep coming back!
My first office was shared 50/50 with another clinician. It had no window, as the inside offices in the building were way cheaper. As my practice grew, so did my space (yay for windows and my own office!) and the need to have an office 100% of the time for myself.
The hunt for office space is both exciting and overwhelming. Here are a few things to consider before picking your space and signing your name on the dotted lease line:
- Know your Market – I was a cash-pay only clinician going after cash-pay clients. I knew my clients would want – and expect – a nice office building with plenty of parking and amenities. My office provides that and more. Think of it this way: your office space is the first impression your clients will have of you, so make sure it’s a good one
- Location, Location, Location – This, of course, is the golden rule of real estate. I searched a lot of office spaces and settled on a location that had easy access from major highways, plus a Starbucks right across the street that many of my clients frequent en route to their appointment. My office also has a bus line outside – an important factor if you live in a metropolitan area or serve clients with transportation barriers. Plus, as a personal bonus, my office is a 10-minute drive from my home. If I have a break in between sessions, I can run home and let my dog out and I’m right around the corner from my daughter’s high school.
- Don’t Scrimp – One of the worst financial decisions I ever made was buying a cheap used car. I was downgrading from a nicer one with lots of amenities to save a little bit of money. I decided to forego leather seats and Sirius xm radio. One week later, driving my hour commute downtown and missing the channels I could no longer access, then spilling a coffee that soaked into my cloth seats, I knew I made a horrible mistake. My buyer’s remorse was instant and real. Same goes for your office space. Don’t cut an important corner to save a little bit of money; as your practice grows, you will certainly regret it. Get the best space you can get, and one where both you – and your clients – will thrive.
- Read the Fine Print about Amenities – Make sure you know exactly what amenities are included in your lease terms, and what are extra (and their costs). Are copies, faxing and wi-fi included? Coffee service? One month I was surprised with a rather large copy bill that I wasn’t expecting, because I didn’t realize X amount of copies were included, and I went over. An amenity I really enjoy with my space is a shared receptionist that announces when my clients arrive. I also have a back elevator for high-profile clients that don’t want to be recognized in the lobby.
- Lease Terms – I currently re-upped my lease in my building, which offers one or two-year lease terms. Starting out, I didn’t want to lock myself into a long lease in case one – I hated private practice; or two – my practice didn’t survive. I recently considered switching offices, but the lease terms were too long for my comfort (three to five years in some cases) and they didn’t offer the same level of amenities.
- Neighbors – Take a good look at the current tenants in the building and the types of businesses that are there. If you work with addiction, it’s probably best to stay away from a liquor store or vaping shop nearby. You also want to sit in the space for some time during the day to see how the noise level is through the walls. Does sound carry? Are the walls thin? Are people coming in and out of other offices constantly slamming doors? If the window faces a parking lot, can you hear cars coming and going? These are things that can’t be changed once you sign and move in, so make sure you do throrough research.
- Sub-leasing – I sub-lease my office to another clinician during the hours I don’t use it. It helps me offset my rent cost. See if your landlord will allow you to do that (some do, some don’t); it’s a great way to subsidize your rent.
- Expect Some Unexpected – I had to learn to put a sign on my door during my night sessions as the cleaning service would come and open and unlock the door and surprise the heck out of both me and my clients. Also, things will happen that are competely out of your control. The A/C went out recently and I had to reschedule my clients – you definitely need A/C in the 100 degree Texas summer heat!
I hope this helped you think about some things to consider for your office. Best of luck that you find the right fit for you and your practice!
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