Developing Referral Relationships and a Strong Professional Network: A Guide for Private Practice Psychologists

Dr Olivia Campbell
Sep 18
3 min read

Building a successful private practice isn’t just about providing excellent clinical care; it also involves nurturing strong, sustainable referral relationships. Whether you're new to private practice or looking to grow your client base, developing a trusted professional network can be one of the most effective ways to ensure steady referrals and build your reputation in the community.

Here are some practical tips for connecting with referrers and maintaining long-standing, mutually beneficial relationships.

Think Outside the (Referral) Box

When we think of referrals, GPs are often top of mind. General practitioners are a key part of any psychologist’s referral network. However, it’s important to broaden your thinking. Potential referrers also include:

Psychiatrists: many welcome having trusted psychologists to refer clients to for therapy support.
Other psychologists: yes, even your peers! Colleagues may refer clients they can’t accommodate or who need a different specialty.
- At WellSpace, we maintain an active in-house referral network. Fortunately, many of our Psychologists' books are full, and when they receive surplus referrals, they generously share those among the rest of the community!
Schools and school counsellors: particularly if you work with children, teens, or families.
NDIS providers and disability support workers
Community groups, non-profits, and cultural organisations
Allied health professionals, like occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and physiotherapists.
Legal professionals, such as family lawyers, may also refer clients needing assessments or support during legal processes.

How to Connect with Referrers

Building relationships takes time, but there are many low-pressure ways to start:

Introduce yourself with purpose: Reach out via email or a short letter (or better yet - a hand written note!) to introduce yourself, your areas of expertise, and how you can support their clients. Attach a clear, visually appealing one-page profile of your services.
Visit local clinics or schools: A short, friendly face-to-face visit can go a long way. Just 5–10 minutes to introduce yourself, leave some brochures, and say hello. Be respectful of their time and follow up later.
1. Hot tip: you may have heard of psychologists doing 'GP Lunches'. Don't do what I did and rock up empty handed. GP LUNCHES mean just that: you provide the lunch :\
Offer to collaborate: Offer to co-manage care for shared clients, or ask if they'd like to debrief complex cases. GPs and other professionals often appreciate having a psychologist they can consult with.
Speak or write: Host a short CPD session, present to school staff, or write a short article for a community newsletter. Positioning yourself as a helpful expert makes you memorable and trusted.
Attend local networking events: Consider local business breakfasts, health network meetings, or online forums in your region.

Maintaining Strong Referral Relationships

Once you've made a connection, nurture it:

Provide clear, timely communication: Sending concise progress letters (with client consent) reassures referrers that their patients are well cared for. GPs love knowing how their clients are going, and also if they've stopped engaging in therapy so they can appropriately follow up.
Say thank you: A short email or handwritten note goes a long way in showing appreciation. These are not mandatory as per Medicare, but sending a thank you note after session 1 with a client can go a long way.
Stay top of mind: Periodically send updates about new services, group programs, or professional development you’re offering.
Make referrals reciprocal: If you trust a referrer, don’t hesitate to refer clients to them as well. Mutual trust builds stronger ties. The more referrals you give, the more you will receive in return!

Final Thoughts

Referral relationships aren’t just about getting more clients; they’re about building a collaborative professional ecosystem. When you connect with others in the field, everyone benefits: your practice, your referrers, and most importantly, your clients.

By taking the time to reach out, show genuine interest, and maintain professional connections, you’re not just building a network, you’re building a reputation.