The world might still have a long way to go, but there is (thankfully) far more understanding around diversity and inclusion today than at any other point in history. So, have you ever stopped to think about how inclusive and accessible your mental health practice is?
Every single person from every walk of life, every background, every ability, and every identity is affected by mental health. We all have mental health, just like we all have physical health – and we all need to take care of it. The challenge comes in knowing how to make mental health support work for everyone; because the truth is, one size rarely fits all.
In this blog I’m going to talk you through a few ways to make your practice accessible to all, so that you can attract more clients, and better serve the people who trust to your services.
Tailoring your sessions to meet different client needs
Whether your clients are young or old, introverted or extroverted, brand new to counselling or reliable regulars, they’re all going to respond to different things. As a mental health professional, it’s your job to provide a service that meets people where they are, and helps them to feel as comfortable as possible in a setting that may feel strange to them at first.
Help people to open up
Some of your clients are likely to be good talkers. These clients find it easy to tell you about their problems, they know what they need help with, and they’re happy to talk freely about whatever challenge is impacting their lives. But not every client will be like this. Some of the people who walk through your door will find it much harder to open up.
For people who struggle to get the conversation going, creative resources can be an enormous help. Therapeutic aids like My Little Therapy Box make mental health support far more accessible for everyone – allowing people to have meaningful conversations about their mental health, without the awkwardness of not knowing where to start or what to talk about.
Think about practicalities
Some of the clients who come to your practice may be differently-abled. It’s really important that you consider the practicalities of accommodating clients who may be in a wheelchair, who may be unable to climb stairs, who may need a certain type of seating, or who may not be able to sit still for long periods of time.
If you can’t make your setting suitable for the needs of every client, what other options do you offer? Could you provide telephone or online counselling? Is there another practice that you could use for certain clients? Would you be willing to travel to see them? You don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with, but be very clear about the options available for every type of client.
Consider your therapy setting
Whilst we’re on the subject of in-person versus online, a lot of people can feel intimidated by face-to-face counselling; at least at first. Many younger people also prefer counselling via platforms like Zoom, because online is familiar to them, and they can find it easier to relax that way. Offering virtual sessions can also help people to access you who are too busy to travel to your practice, or who live too far away.
Offer a medium that low-income clients can afford
If you’re a private mental health professional, chances are that some people who would love to come and see you – and who would really benefit from your help – can’t actually afford your rates. You deserve to be paid fairly, of course you do, but why not consider creating some form of helpful resource at a lower cost? You may choose to develop an online course, or some downloadable support material.
Be broad in your approach
There are lots of different types of therapies that you can offer to your clients – from talking therapies, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), to art therapy, animal-assisted therapy and person-centered therapy. When you present your clients with a range of options and work together to decide the best type of therapy for them, you’re being inclusive and taking into account their own needs and preferences. This can be really helpful if you have a client who struggles with talking, for example.
No matter what approach you employ to make your practice more accessible to all, try to keep an open mind, and never stop learning.
Comments