So, you’re curious about whether the Intentional Expert is really REALLY right for you. The truth is, I don’t know! I encourage you to vet the program fully, ask questions, consider where you’re currently at and where you want to be. The following Q&A session will address some of your burning curiosities as you consider whether this program is right for you.

Why is this always the first question ya’ll ask. Ay yi yi!

I don’t blame you. This is the question I used to always ask, too. In fact, this is a question Danni B had too! One of the hardest things about the leveling up journey – going from lower or middle class to 6 or 7-figure incomes – is the fear that we might lose all that we’ve gained, leaving us back at square one. I fight this one myself.

Watch Danni Talk about Her Experience in the Intentional Expert Program

Investing in a program like this asks you to trust, not only me to be totally honest with you about whether I think I can help, but you also have to trust yourself to actually follow through. That’s a risky proposition when we look back and imagine doing something that our parents have never done before us.

I could tell you this program isn’t a scam all day long. In fact, I don’t even know how it could be. If you don’t do well. If you realize it isn’t right for you – you get all your money back. So I’m the one holding all the risk here.

But, none of that is what really matters. What really matters is your willingness to bet on yourself – to trust that you really can have something to offer and that you have the power to make a difference in the lives of others.

No scam. No Gimmick. Just you, me, an amazing group of clinicians – and a whole fucking lot of individuals out there in the world who are waiting for you to get your shit together so you can reach them.

Huh?! What?! Have you not read the emails?!

You are enough and you do have something to offer.

Do you need more – like a system to make it happen – Of course, but that’s for me to worry about.

Nicole was probably a lot like you. When she started the IE program, she spoke about her fears that she didn’t really have anything of importance to contribute.

Watch Nicole talk about her journey.

In fact, just before she turned in her article that led to over 5,000 views and a client call in a week’s time, she messaged me wondering if she should even submit it!

One of the greatest things you can do for the world is get over your own shit. When you wonder, “Am I enough?” your attention is in the wrong place. In the IE community, we’ll focus on how to turn, “Am I enough?” to “How can I help the people I am passionate about serving?”

Now that’s a question I can most certainly answer.

My answer to this is pretty similar to the answer above. If you’re a fan of HeyTiffany, I know you have something important so say – or to say it even more accurately, you have something important to do in the world. You may not know what that thing is, exactly, but more likely – you’re scared to know.

Because then you’d be required to play big. And playing big means actually getting what you want – which means letting go of some stories about being the underdog.

WOAH! I went on psychoanalysta on you! Let me reign it in.

Point Is: I call bullshit on you not having anything important to say.

YES! In fact, here’s a list of some pretty decent books on building a private practice.

Building Your Ideal Private Practice: A Guide For Therapists and Other Healing Professionals 

The Million Dollar Private Practice: Using Your Expertise to Build a Business That Makes a Difference 

Getting Better at Private Practice 

I cannot personally vouch for any of them, but they are the top three that came up on Amazon.

If you’re the kind of person who can take a book, read it and consistently apply what you learn, then you do not need the Intentional Expert Program.

This is a program for people who work better when they have an individually-tailored program within a larger system, who do better with a group of like-minded supportive colleagues and who need a gentle kick in the ass when the critical voices kick in.

If you struggle to follow through, but are a powerhouse with some fatherly love, well thought out strategy and a solid tribe, then definitely apply.

HA!

What?! Why?! What do you  mean you “hate” marketing? That’s like saying you hate money!

Wait. Are you one of those people who say you hate money? Ay yi yi. Where to begin.

In brief – marketing, like money, like a screwdriver (not the drink, nut!) is a tool. It can be used in any way you want to, but it is inherently neutral.

My belief: If you can talk, you can write.

Writing is a skill to be learned. The Intentional Expert certainly involves writing. If you think you suck at it or you’re afraid – that won’t hold you back. The only thing that will hold you back is your unwillingness to adopt a different view of yourself.

If you are willing to open yourself up to the possibility that you can communicate effectively to the people who need to hear from you – then I can show you how.

Listen to Danni talk about overcoming her fears about writing.

First things first, I have a 100% money back guarantee. I’m taking on all the risk. So, if you fail, I fail – we fail together.

For some of you, that’s relieving. For others, you worry that if you take the leap and apply and I accept you and then it doesn’t work – I’ll be disappointed in you and you’ll be crushed with shame.

Firstly – that happened once. Early on, I did take someone who wasn’t quite ready. I wanted to believe in them and they made a strong case. It was a mistake on my part and I learned from it. I am much better equipped to understand what applicants are more likely to succeed and who might struggle based on this experience.

And that applicant? We’re very good friends to this day! We talked it over openly and I took responsibility for my error in judgement and they spoke freely about their wish to have done things differently. Sometimes we mess up and learn.

I can say, even though this person struggled, the lessons they learned continued! They were grateful for what they did learn and they even raised their fees as a result of our work together.

Looks like the said “failure” wasn’t a failure after all.

“Why the Intentional Expert Program vs. other ones?”

You’ll definitely have to answer that question for yourself. I have some colleagues in the coaching world who I really respect – like Annie Schuessler over at Coaching with Annie or Agnes Wainman over at Blissful Practice.

Look, I don’t want you to sign up for my program because you don’t have any other options. There are plenty of options and good ones at that!

How am I different? Well, some have called me the mackdaddy of therapist consulting.

Okay, I lied, no one ever said that.

But people have pointed out that I embody the stereotypically paternal role when offering consulting. I’m less of the warm-and-fuzzy type (though those who know me well, accuse me of being all soft and mushy inside – fuck you!) and more of the get-your-shit-together-MAJOR type.

“Tiffany modeled this hard work so thoroughly that I was constantly thinking, “I could do so much more right now. If Tiffany can do all of this and make it look easy, I need to suck it up, pull my weight and charge through with determination.”  I really felt your presence even though we never met in person, and you made the work fun, rewarding, and inspiring.” ~Nicole

I definitely micromanage (I’m working on that) and do TONS of breaking things down, step-by-step so you really understand the fundamentals. I leave less room to empathize with your reasons why you’re not enough. That shit, I don’t buy into.

If I accept you into the program, it’s because I see your potential, I see what you can bring to the world and I will accept nothing less than you bringing all of your majesty to those who need you.

Every single one of my IE students will attest to that.

There are very few situations in which I won’t call bullshit on this one. Maybe I’d allow you the “I’m too busy” argument if you’re the sole breadwinner and you’re caring for an elderly parent on top of working 3 jobs. Or, maybe if you had a newborn infant at home –

But even then, I’d be all like, “HOW newborn?”

For most therapists, the problem isn’t really a lack of time, the problem is a manic filling of time with all kinds of random obligations and activities that are building up to one big bundle of – nothing.

Of course, if you’re teaching and volunteering and blogging and seeing 30 clients a week and you literally love every minute of it – then you don’t have time for this.

If that’s the case, I’ve never met anyone like you. Most therapists I talk to who are too busy are actually overwhelmed, running around like headless chickens and not spending quality time with their kids, partners, friends or – heaven forbid, themselves.

It’s not easy to say no when “opportunities” come our way. I recently opted out of a gig that could’ve paid me very well and hooked me up with an amazing community of people – but I said no because I promised myself that in 2017, I would say no to anything and everything that didn’t directly serve you, my HeyTiffany audience. Don’t get me wrong, I had MAJOR FOMO. But I’ve come to realize the importance of doubling down on those few activities that lead to major success and saying ‘fuck off’ to everything that doesn’t directly lead to my ultimate vision – quality time with my loved ones, the ability to pay to take my homies to Mexico or say, “Hey! I got the check” with ease, and the ability to create amazing content for my awkwardly, brilliant therapist tribe whenever and wherever I want.

When you know your endgame and have the strategy to make it happen, you make the time.

Listen to Sarah talk about going from frenzied activity to strategic action.

Oh my goodness! I used to say stuff like that every time I evaluated a new idea.

I’d read some recommended book and be all like, “Oh, yeah, I know that.”

Or some professor would mention something and I’d think, “Mm hm. I’ve definitely thought about that before.”

I’d look at all the online gurus talking about marketing and I’d nod along, resting comfortably in the awareness that I knew all that stuff already. UGH – I shudder at what I’m about to reveal. I once even emailed an up and coming business consultant that I saw online and offered them advice about how they could do things better.

1. Me who was sitting at home, dismissing everyone and everything because I already knew that.

Oh god. So embarrassing.

It was a quote I heard someone say that changed everything for me. This person encouraged the audience to shift their thinking from:

“I know that” to “I’m doing that.”

Holy smokes. That one little tweak made a HUGE difference on every aspect of my life. Now, in the act of actually creating a successful business and brand, I realize that all that “knowledge” was getting in my way of, well knowledge.

I knew NOTHING about what it actually took to build a business from the foundation up. Standing on the outside and telling the movers and shakers how to do it is one thing. Getting in the ring – now that’s a whole different story.

So, to answer your question: If you’re already doing the things to get your phone ringing with full fee referrals, setting your own hours and charging way higher than the going rate in your city – then you don’t need the Intentional Expert program.

But if you are like I used to be and sit around telling everyone you already know what to do – but you’re not actually doing it – apply.

Listen to Danni talk about her fear that she would be “too smart” for a program like this.

“I feel like a total imposter – how could I ever claim to be an expert at anything?”

I know how you feel. When I was asked by journalist Carlin Flora to weigh in as an expert on imposter syndrome for Psychology Today Magazine – the first thing I did on the call was blurt out that I felt like an imposter! And then – I got down to shit and rocked that interview.

Point being: You’re not an expert – yet.

But you can become one and I can show you how. Just like I showed:

• Sarah – who filled up two workshops with single women in their 30’s who struggle with body image issues;

• And Danni, who went from despising men in tech to attracting full fee referrals for a completely new practice;

• Or Emily who went from wondering if she’d ever have anything real to contribute to setting up an interview with THE expert on lesbian relationships and author of the go-to book on the topic and forming a mutually beneficial relationship;

• Or Nicole who wondered if her there was really any special need for an expert in the issues facing Asian American men before her article on Psychology Today blog got 5,000 views and led to a new full fee referral in one week.

The point is, learning what it takes to be an expert can happen much sooner than you imagine – despite your anxiety, and doubts and fear.

In his program, I’ll show you:

• Position yourself as an expert in the minds of your ideal client.

• Know exactly which issues to focus on to make you the most desirable clinician in town.

• Make strong alliances with other experts who have been at this for decades.

• Find the clients who desperately want  help, but don’t know where to find it.

• How to stop wasting time on activities that don’t bring results (coffee dates with other therapists – ahem) and start investing in high impact activities that bring in more clients who are ready to invest in therapy with you.

Honestly, I don’t know.

We all have unconscious beliefs about what we can and cannot accomplish. For some folks, there are very real limitations that keep them from being able to move forward.

You might be one of those people.

If you:

• Currently struggle to put food on the table
• Are in the midst of a personal crisis
• Are too overwhelmed/burnt out to really try something new
• Cannot or will not be able to spend 10 hours a week investing in practice building

Then I can say with confidence, this is not the right program for you.

If you’re unsure, definitely apply or simply shoot me a question (tiffany@leaninmakebank.com) and I’ll think with you to see if the program makes sense at this time.

XO,

Tiffany