Scaling Your Therapy Practice By Writing A Book with Stefani M Cohen, LCSW
Jul 31, 2023
Scaling Your Therapy Practice By Writing a Book
In this episode of Scaling Therapy Practice, host James Marland welcomes special guest Stefani M Cohen, LCSW, who has written a book on overcoming the fear of dogs. Stefani, a licensed clinical social worker, discovered a surprising number of people, especially children, are afraid of dogs. She shares how she turned her passion for helping people conquer their fear into a book that could reach a broader audience.
The Surprising Journey to Writing the Book
Stefani's journey to writing the book started when her daughter expressed a sudden fear of dogs. After successfully helping her daughter overcome her fear through exposure therapy, Stefani realized she could help others as well. She began using her therapy dog, Mugsy, to assist clients in overcoming their fear of dogs, and her practice started to grow. Stefani's desire to help more people and share her expertise led her to write the book.
Overcoming Challenges in the Writing Process
Writing the book wasn't without its challenges. Stefani found herself facing numerous decisions about the content, format, and publishing process. She decided on hybrid publishing and collaborated with a publisher that gave her book a personal touch. While the writing process had its ups and downs, Stefani's determination and willingness to try new things kept her moving forward.
Understanding Fear of Dogs and the Human-Animal Bond
Stefani highlights the importance of teaching kids how to read dog behavior and understand when a dog is happy, scared, or overexcited. This knowledge empowers kids to feel safer around dogs, reducing their fear and promoting positive interactions.
Stefani emphasizes the significant benefits of overcoming the fear of dogs, including the positive impact on mental health and relationships. The human-animal bond can be a transformative experience, promoting personal growth and overall well-being.
Tips for Aspiring Authors and Therapists
Stefani's advice to aspiring authors and therapists is to overcome any doubts and take action. She encourages them to start writing and not wait for the perfect moment. Embrace the "just do it" mindset and share your valuable insights with the world.
Stefani advises embracing a growth mindset, learning from failures, and not taking rejection personally. Instead of doubling down on unsuccessful efforts, read the data and make adjustments accordingly. It's essential to detach yourself from the outcomes and focus on continual improvement.
Tips for Therapists Writing Books
- Just Do It: Don't wait for the perfect moment or let self-doubt hold you back. If you have valuable knowledge or expertise to share, start writing and take the leap.
- Embrace a Growth Mindset: Approach your writing journey with a growth mindset. View challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than taking setbacks personally. Be open to making adjustments and keep trying new things.
- Accountability and Deadlines: Set deadlines and be accountable to yourself or others to stay on track during the writing process. Having someone to hold you accountable can help you stay focused and motivated..
- Avoid Perfectionism: Strive for excellence, but don't get hung up on perfectionism. Understand that "good enough is good enough" and allow yourself to make progress without getting caught in the trap of seeking perfection.
- Be Adaptable and Decisive: Writing a book involves numerous decisions. Be willing to adapt and make choices as you move forward. Don't hesitate to seek help or guidance when needed.
- Write What You're Passionate About: Write about a topic that you are passionate about and genuinely care about. Your passion will come through in your writing and resonate with your readers.
- Seek Feedback: Share your work with others and seek feedback. Feedback can provide valuable insights and help you improve your writing.
- Celebrate Your Progress: Acknowledge your achievements along the way. Writing a book is a significant undertaking, and celebrating your progress can keep you motivated and excited about the journey.
Links and Resources
- Email Stefani: [email protected]
- Overcoming The Fear of Dogs
- www.Stefanicohen.com
- Get her book on Amazon
- Book Publishing Services: Gatekeeper Press
- Make a Copy of the SOP Spreadsheet for Virtual Assistants
- PsychMaven - Online Training for Therapists
- Beginner’s Guide for Creating Knowledge Income - Passive Income Course for Therapists
- Join the discussion group on Facebook for Assistants, Automation, and AI for Mental Health Providers
- Builder Type Assessment - grow without the grind
- Email James to talk about questions or problems about scaling: [email protected]
- The Therapy Show with Lisa Mustard
Course Creation Planning Worksheet Download
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