Maybe you’re at the point in your practice where you have more potential clients that need your service than the time or space to see them. Maybe you’re noticing that your waitlist is getting longer. Or that you’re turning people away by referring them elsewhere (which is a helpful thing to do if your practice cannot see them). If this is the case, it may be time to think about opening that second location!
Three things to consider when thinking about opening a second practice location:
1. Ask Yourself If Your First One Can Currently Support New Growth
Do you have extra space where you can bring on more clinicians? (If you have not hired another clinician yet, check out this post. Are you in a position where you can add on additional space to the physical building if you own it? Or can you possibly acquire more offices in an office suite that you’re renting? If the answer is “no,” then it may be time to start seriously thinking about opening a second location.
In my own private practice journey, when I decided to bring on my first clinician, I increased my space by renting an additional office. There are now three other clinicians, including myself, that utilize two offices in that suite. When we continued to have potential clients reaching out to be seen and there were no other open spaces or the possibility of adding space, the only option was to seriously think about opening another location.
2. Where Will Your Second Location Be?
You have the option of opening your new location within miles of your first location. Especially if you have an overflow of clients that you can refer to that new location. You also have the option of opening your second location at a greater distance from your first one. Especially if you see that area as one in need of mental health services. Or maybe it might just be a good fit logistically for you.
In addition to running out of space in our first location, I wanted to open our second location because it happens to be in a community that does not have as much mental health services as the first one. In addition, it is in a community that I happen to be connected with and wanted to contribute to. Our second location is a little over 20 miles away from our first one and is almost like opening a second business. Though it is close enough for potential clients who live equidistant not to mind which location they are scheduled in.
3. Take Marketing Your Practice Into Consideration
Even though it is the same practice, you need to know that the marketing of your second location may be significantly different than that of your first location. Especially if your second is a considerable distance from your first. One location may bring in many clients primarily through online marketing. While the other may require more face-to-face marketing within the community. If you don’t want to waste time in reaching new clients, try different forms of marketing to see which brings in more clients. Having that information will help point you towards where you need to invest more of your energy and marketing budget. To learn more about marketing your practice click here.
Though we just recently opened our second location, it’s already apparent that face-to-face marketing will bring in more clients than the online marketing that brings in the majority of our clients in our first location.
Adding a second location can bring about excitement along with some jitters, but know that when to go into it informed, and it’s the right time, it can truly transform your practice and take it to the next level!
Melissa J. McLean is a Licensed Counselor and Certified Professional Coach who is the owner of Morning Joy Counseling, a successful group practice that primarily helps individuals dealing with anxiety and depression, as well as couples who want to rebuild or strengthen their relationships. In addition, Melissa helps other professionals move beyond the gap between visualizing their dreams and making it a reality by mapping out their next right steps towards having a successful and fulfilling business!
Download her FREE 90-Day Goal Planner and learn the power of setting goals to increase success in your business HERE!
