Ever wondered how Doctor TK was able to secure contracts with community agencies? This episode is inspired from the questions Doctor TK received from The Dope Therapist Community. Today’s discussion will include the answers broken down into 3 manageable tips that will help us evaluate our process of getting to the table, pitching the product or services to a program, and fine tuning our process as we look back to the things we did. Tune in and be motivated as she shares some examples on how she successfully collaborates with the programs from her days at the county, private practice, and other community agencies.





Podcast Goals:
Learn from the tips to positioning yourself for contractual work in the community

Realize the essence of value first before money


 

Episode Timeline:
Questions asked by The Dope Therapist Community: How Doctor TK secures contracts as a supervisor, program developer, consultant, contractor with community agencies (e.g non-profits) [00:14]


 

Doctor TK shares the tips along with examples on how she successfully collaborates with community agencies [01:00]


TIP#1: Networking and developing strong relationships [01:15]


A background story about her work in a Juvenile Justice System for Aftercare and her roles as an Aftercare Psychologist [01:22]


On her linkage with a non-profit in South-Central LA: Doctor TK’s involvement in the multidisciplinary team meetings [02:27]


Working with PB Jobs, a program that provides work services, coaching and other support services for the re-entry population [03:32]


Staying in touch with the program opens an opportunity for her to provide products and services when needed [04:57]


TIP#2: Know your value based on the service or product that you are providing [05:20]


Her rates remained the same despite the collegial relationships developed with the program. What is the reason behind their long-term connection? [05:32]


Doctor TK knows she can serve the population (adolescents or adults) because of her experience in the county, private practice and other community agencies [05:57]


Reflections that help her easily break barriers to stereotypes of mental health [06:13]


Supervisors love her for often requesting difficult clients [07:03]


Beyond therapy, what other skills can she offer? [07:25]


TIP#3: Find out how you can add more value [08:12]


Schedule a meeting or conversation to know the missing gap [08:30]


Doctor TK sets up a workshop as an added value to the Trauma-Informed Care program [09:00]


How she demonstrated preparedness during her meeting with the Trauma-Informed Care program director; Doctor TK on positioning workshops and opening the Pandora’s box [09:45]


Being her authentic self led to discussions on what services she can offer not only to the community members, but also to the program’s staffs [11:35]


What makes them impressed with Doctor TK’s services? [12:20]


Episode recap [13:57]


Moral of the story: Be passionate about who you want to serve, not going after the paycheck [14:14]


Ideal way to position yourself via letter: an application to the mailers she received about re-entry from hospitals for adolescents or adult clients [15:02]


What Doctor TK looks up to from the mailers she receive [15:36]


Wrap up story on the acceptance of Doctor TK’s proposal to the program [16:24]


Take the Private Practice Quiz for Free! What’s in it for me? [17:05]


 

Standout Quotes from Doctor TK:
“Network and develop strong relationships because it also gives you the background of the program to get to know what the program’s mission truly is so that you can make sure it’s a program you wanna work with long term.” [04:41]


 

(on anyone who asks how to position themselves via email) “First, you may want to schedule a meeting and have a conversation with that person whether it’s over the phone, via email, over lunch, or something so that they could get to know you on a more professional and personal level. With that, you can make