Why January Is Key to Boosting Your TMS and Ketamine Clinic

By Dr. Karan Narwal

As the holiday season comes to a close and the New Year begins, mental health clinics offering TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) or Ketamine therapy find themselves in a unique position this time of year. A mental health practice is a business at the end of the day. And like I always say, there’s nothing wrong with making money as long as you do the right thing. So as we recap our fiscal year, we are able to observe certain trends and strategies that prove consistent and resourceful.

See, January is often seen as a slow month of patient traffic seeking reimbursable healthcare, especially in mental health with TMS and Spravato clinics. Out of pocket maximums have been reset, and people are seeking help to reset and reprioritize their mental health on their own through resolutions after a season that can be both joyous and challenging. This is the perfect time to implement best practices that can enhance patient engagement, streamline operations, and ensure a strong start to the year.

Actionable strategies to set your clinic up for success this January:

1. Capitalize on New Year Resolutions

The New Year is a time when people are highly motivated to make changes, including prioritizing their mental health. Tailor your marketing messages to highlight how TMS and Ketamine therapy can be part of their journey toward wellness and transformation. Use themes like "New Year, New You" to resonate with those seeking relief from depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges. At the same time, make sure to include value-based messaging that gives the public the potential of reaching their therapeutic goals by the end of the year so they understand it’s a process!

• Pro Tip: Run social media campaigns that share patient success stories or testimonials, emphasizing how your clinic has helped individuals achieve their mental health goals over time.

2. Focus on Referral Strategies

The start of the year is a prime time to strengthen your relationships with referring providers. General practitioners, psychiatrists, and therapists are often the first touchpoints for individuals exploring advanced mental health treatments like TMS and Ketamine therapy. With that said, referrals come from all sources. This is THE time to make those relationships, extend that branch, and make those connections. Nurture them throughout the year so this time next year, you have a NETWORK!

• Outreach: Send personalized New Year greetings to your referring network, expressing gratitude for their support and reaffirming your commitment to collaboration.
• Education: Host a webinar or lunch-and-learn session for referring providers to share updates on your clinic’s offerings and the latest advancements in TMS or Ketamine therapy.
• Resources: Provide referring partners with patient-friendly brochures or digital resources they can share with their clients.

3. Engage in Conversational Marketing

Now more than ever, patients are seeking personalized, empathetic communication, especially due to AI & Automated Messaging. Nothing feels real anymore. If I’m buying something on Amazon or ordering Chipotle through my app, then yes I can forgo human interaction. But when it comes to my mental health, talking to automated algorithmic pseudobeings is not the most comforting. Human, organic, and genuine conversational marketing uses direct, real-time interactions to engage potential patients and address their specific concerns.

• Live Chat: Add a live chat feature to your website where potential patients can ask questions about your services and connect with the office.
• Social Media Engagement: Use platforms like Instagram or Facebook to post Q&A sessions, polls, and engaging content about mental health topics.
• Email Campaigns: Create a nurturing email sequence for inquiries that came in over the holidays but didn’t convert, offering special promotions or consultations.

4. Optimize for Post-Holiday Stress

The end of the holiday season can leave many individuals feeling stressed, isolated, or overwhelmed. Position your clinic as a supportive and understanding resource during this transition but also the accountable partner they’ve been looking for. When a gym offers the services of a trainer, the accountability hits different. Wouldn’t that apply to mental health best practices? Like I always say, TMS & Ketamine treatment are like the brain going to the gym. And the workouts need to be consistent, and so does the “nutrition and recovery” for said workout.

• Offer free mental health screenings or discounted initial consultations to encourage people to take the first step.
• Share educational content on your blog or social media about post-holiday depression and how treatments like TMS and Ketamine can help.
• Partner with local organizations or support groups to host community events or workshops focused on mental wellness.
• Provide a comprehensive overview of what one can do to optimize their mental health on their own time as well, especially when undergoing TMS or Ketamine therapy.

5. Track and Evaluate Performance Metrics

January is the perfect time to assess what worked well in the previous year and refine your strategies moving forward. Data speaks volumes. What did you do? What did you NOT do? Understand what team members excelled at, and assess your weakest links in your strategy. Key metrics to evaluate include:

• Website traffic and conversion rates from your marketing campaigns.
• Referral volume and sources.
• Patient satisfaction and retention rates.

Use this data to inform your marketing and operational plans for the months ahead, ensuring your clinic stays agile and responsive to patient needs.

6. Empower Your Team

A clinic's success is rooted in its team. Kick off the year with a focus on professional development and team building.

• Organize training sessions on patient communication, especially on explaining TMS and Ketamine therapy to new patients.
• Set team goals for the year and celebrate accomplishments, fostering a collaborative and motivated work environment.

A Strong Start to a Successful Year

By implementing these best practices, your clinic can harness the momentum of the New Year to make a lasting impact. With a focus on referral relationships, personalized marketing, and patient-centered care, you’ll be well-positioned to grow your practice and help more individuals discover the transformative benefits of TMS and Ketamine therapy.

It’s all about doing quality over quantity. And this is the best time of year to hone in on that practice! Let January be the month where you not only grow your clinic but also solidify your reputation as a trusted leader in your community. We at MyKohi appreciate you, that’s for sure, so let’s keep fighting the good fight!