Does Collaboration Have a Place in Health and Wellness?

There is a certain accepted mindset in business that feels incongruent with health and wellness professions: namely, competition. This “us against them” mentality is at odds with the caring and supportive nature of the work we provide. Many people in the caring professions find doing business the “usual” way difficult and distasteful. A further divide between allopathic/clinical providers and holistic/wellness practitioners amplifies this competitive mindset. And yet, are we not all on the same path of healing? The tools and language may be different, but the intent is the same.

Healthcare practitioners know that wellness requires a balance of all body systems, as well as an awareness of how mind affects body and body affects mind. A human being is a total ecosystem. Providing support to patients and clients requires an understanding of the complex environment and various facets of the individuals we treat. We are a single part of our clients’ wellness team, yet the competitive business model implies that we should be “the best” and often only provider who can bring our clients back to wholeness.

We know that isn’t true.

It is time for a different business model for health and wellness practitioners: that of collaboration. A community has better chances for success than a sole individual. Referral to and from other providers who have skill in modalities different from ours enables patients and practitioners alike to benefit from the knowledge and wisdom of a wider network.

While referring out to other practitioners may seem antithetical to building a robust practice (I mean, come on, who gives their clients away to the “competition”?), collaboration has the effect of creating a beautiful self-sustaining model for practitioners. Being willing to do what is best for the patient, even if it means referring them out of our practices, will result in thriving businesses. The providers we refer out to will often send their clients our way in return. The individuals we treat have better outcomes and come back confident that we have their welfare in mind.

While it takes some getting used to, and a certain level of ego-dampening after being in a competitive mindset, collaboration is a more natural state of being for people in caring professions. It no longer forces us to swing back and forth between empathy and rivalry. We can support other businesses without hurting our own. We can care for people without needing to own them. Competition has no place when it comes to wellness.

Collaboration makes our clients healthier, helps our community thrive, and makes for a more peaceful world.