November 10, 2022

I get a lot of questions about how long it takes to fill a clinical practice.

I understand why you’d want to know. Having an estimate is helpful when you’re planning and lets you set reasonable expectations. So, when can you expect to be sustaining yourself from your practice?

The short answer is: longer than you think.

In order to work with you, potential clients need to feel safe doing so, and they need to trust that you can help them. The feeling of safety (usually) can’t be created in a week or two, or even a month or two. It’s built slowly as people get to know you.

Trust takes time. Safety takes time.

Both are best created through ongoing relationship rather than a stunning sales page.

If you’re feeling anxious about finding clients and wondering why people aren’t signing up to work with you, the best piece of advice I can give you is to think carefully about what you’re doing to build a sense of safety and trust.

What does it mean to build relationships with your community in this way?

There isn’t a single right answer, and I can safely say that people who are making this work have developed strong relationships either with other practitioners and/or directly with the communities they intend to serve.

Food for thought 💡

Take care,

Camille

About Camille Freeman, LDN, RH (she/her)

Hi there! I'm a clinical herbalist and licensed nutritionist specializing in fertility and menstrual health. I run the Monday Mentoring community of practice and also offer continuing education programs for highly-trained herbalists and nutritionists (Check out this year's Deep Dive!). I'm also a professor in the Department of Nutrition at the Maryland University of Integrative Health, where I teach physiology, pathophysiology, and mindful eating.

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