Dr. Marc Hafkin has had a private practice since 1975 seeing individuals, couples, and running psychotherapy and coaching groups. Additionally, he supervises Master and Doctoral candidates in their clinical work.
Dr. Hafkin completed his Doctoral degree in 1981 and went on to complete a Post Doctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology in 1984. Dr. Hafkin did graduate work at Washington University in St Louis completing two Masters degrees in Clinical Social Work and Counseling Psychology.
Dr. Hafkin has worked with Masters and Johnsons in their sex therapy clinic assessing individuals and couples and treating them for various sexual and emotional difficulties. He has also worked in a treatment center for “emotionally dysregulated” children and adolescents as well as various hospitals, and prisons.
Dr. Hafkin completed various trainings in numerous approaches to psychotherapy and has combined his expertise with an educational approach to coaching. He has moved from a “medical/pathology approach to an “educational strength-based” approach when working with individuals.
While in St Louis, Dr. Hafkin trained police officers in domestic dispute and conflict resolution to de-escalate volatile situations. He has consulted with numerous organizations to help their senior staff become more effective in their professional careers and peer relationships.
Early on in Dr. Hafkin’s career, while on active duty in the U.S. Army, he was in charge of several Psychiatric wards and later the outpatient clinic of a major Psychiatric Center in Frankfurt Germany. After several years of Active Duty in the military, Dr. Hafkin left to pursue further education in 1973.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Marc Hafkin where he shared the advice he’d give to someone who wants to start their own company, and what he’d do differently if he were to start all over.
What do you think makes you successful?
I have the determination and will to succeed and move forward no matter what.
I am willing to take on a manageable amount of risk in order to grow both personally and professionally.
If I am ever in doubt about something I am willing to ask and seek out resources to aid me in the decisions that need to be made.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
Looking back on my professional career, I would probably replicate the process. I feel that I took on the learning from others, followed the advice I was given and gave myself the time to grow by trusting ”in the process”.
What is one strategy that has helped grow your business?
I make a point of connecting with colleagues on a continual and scheduled basis. I try to write a personal “thank you” to everyone who makes a referral to me, instead of an email.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
When I first went to college, I partied and pretty much flunked out of school. I was not ready to study. Then, I worked both bridge and road construction for a while before entering the Army.
The military provided me with structure and consistency within which I flourished emotionally. In the military I learned how to stay focused on the “mission” and not get distracted by other opportunities thus, achieving my goals.
What is the biggest mistake you see others making in business?
Not being clear on the goals of what people want and how to operationalize them. Not paying enough attention to one’s strengths and the need to learn.
What are the key elements for starting and running a successful business?
Having a clear perspective and business plan, consulting with people who could help, knowing your limitations, and being able to ask for help when needed.
What advice do you have for someone starting their own company?
First off, I would advocate for having a clear vision of what the person wants to create and the steps needed to get there.
Secondly, I would suggest that a person seek out mentors or coaches with whom they could consult.
Thirdly, I might ask the person to take stock of their strengths and who they would have in their support system to compensate for the areas that are underdeveloped.
