At first glance, talking to clients in our offices and giving presentations to the general public seem like they require us to take on very different roles. In the consulting room, we’re therapists—challenging, asking questions, and encouraging clients to seek out answers for themselves. On stage, we’re experts dispensing information to a receptive audience.
The problem with this role switch, according to Crisis-Proof Your Practice author Lynn Grodzki, is that giving talks as an expert isn’t a very good way to get clients. Instead, we should stay in the therapist role on stage, leaving audience members with more questions than they arrived with by the time the talk is over.
Watch this clip to hear her explain why sticking to the therapist role during talks gives audience members a reason to follow up and schedule sessions.
Rich Simon
Richard Simon, PhD, founded Psychotherapy Networker and served as the editor for more than 40 years. He received every major magazine industry honor, including the National Magazine Award. Rich passed away November 2020, and we honor his memory and contributions to the field every day.
Lynn Grodzki
Lynn Grodzki, LCSW, MCC, is a psychotherapist in private practice, a master certified coach, and the author of Therapy with a Coaching Edge: Partnership, Action and Possibility in Every Session and Building Your Ideal Private Practice.
