[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/sellingthecouch/Eric_TIvers_Final_Edited.mp3″ title=”Using ADHD to Rewire Your Private Practice” artist=”Melvin Varghese with Eric Tivers” ]
Welcome to today’s show! My guest is Eric Tivers, who is a licensed clinical social worker in Volo, Illinois. Eric works in private practice and focuses on ADHD and autism spectrum disorders. He is the host of the podcast “ADHD Rewired,” which covers his own journey, tips, and tools to deal with ADHD. He feels deeply passionate about his work because of how he has been affected by his own ADHD challenges.
Eric began in private practice because of unusual circumstances and because he was “backed into a corner.” He shares the steps that led him where he is today.
- He was laid off from his job at an applied behavior analysis clinic.
- He started networking, became extremely focused, and had a thriving private practice within a year’s time.
- He eliminated several possible job opportunities because he didn’t enjoy the paperwork involved, and he knew he didn’t want to work for someone else.
- While working with kids with emotional and behavioral challenges, something “clicked” and engaged him in a new way. He knew then that he wanted to focus on kids with ADHD and autism spectrum disorders.
While busily networking with mentors, peers, and potential clients, Eric received two valuable pieces of advice. The advice centers on using a local map to visualize and expand your sphere of influence, and overcoming anxiety about using the phone to learn from other private practitioners.
Eric discusses other aspects of his own struggles, victories, and realizations.
- As most kids who have ADHD, Eric was characterized as a lazy, unmotivated student.
- It wasn’t until he nearly flunked out of college that he was properly diagnosed.
- When he was prescribed the proper medication, he remembers “feeling normal for the first time.”
- It was after receiving the correct medication that he remembers being able to read and comprehend, when he used to be distracted and unable to finish any reading assignment.
- “I’m NOT stupid! I’m NOT lazy!” These were his thoughts when he finally experienced success as a student.
- Eric uses the Johari Window theory to teach his clients about themselves, their relationships to others, and how they are perceived in the world. Listen to learn about this four-square grid that can be an important teaching tool.
In the HOT COUCH ROUND, Eric advises those just starting out in private practice to focus on intentional planning, and on putting themselves “out there” in as many places as possible. He also encourages those practitioners to visit support groups and give presentations as much as possible. Eric uses this strategy to drive referrals for his practice even today! Join us to learn more!
Links and Resources:
“ADHD Rewired” (Eric’s podcast)
Erictivers.com (Eric’s website)
Eric’s favorite books: The Power of Vulnerability by Brene’ Brown
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill