I opened my private practice the week my license came through, and now I only contract with interns who WANT to leave my practice and start their own when they are fully licensed. My thought is that they're going to spend the 3,000 intern hours learning to be effective clinicians...why not also use those 3,000 hours learning to operate a sustainable business? Thank you for putting words to why this isn't a "terrible" idea! : ). I do believe that having a good supervisor makes all the difference.
I'd love to come work at your office! I'm an LPC-A trying to get things started with my own private practice on the side. I've had to work at agencies for the last few years but feel the need to strike out on my own!
@Thomas Muething Everyone enters a university program of their preference to LEARN how to EARN a living doing something they enjoy. Yes, everyone should be trained to enter their profession; to be capable of EARNING a living in any preferred way. The fact that many, if not all, clinical training programs lack the business aspect of our profession is disheartening. Why? Because they teach us all aspects of our profession but the business aspect. Here, John is exploring one of a few issues we deal with in the social work/counseling/psychology master's programs. I'm sorry but I have to disagree with what you think therapists' primary role should be. It shouldn't be about what YOU expect. A therapy session is what you should expect to be all about you.
Thank you for this video! I spent 2 years in community mental health and “burned out”. I left the field that I loved because of the severe cases and lack of support that I received. I taught College Psychology for 10 years, worked on myself, got therapy, and learned about business. I went back to the field and spent 2 1/2 more years in community mental health. My intention was to earn my hours quickly, get a lot of training, get as much clinical support as I could, and get licensed in 3 years. I did just that and was licensed in March 2019 (3 years to the month). I started in a group private practice in April 2019. It took a couple months to build my caseload but I’ve been full since summer of 2019. I am credentialed with Kaiser, have some private pay, my schedule is full weekly, and have consistent referrals. I continue my own therapy, maintain good self-care, only work 4 days per week, and don’t see more than 25 clients per week. (20-25 clients, weekly) I’m so grateful that I never gave up. New Clinicians can be in private practice! Learning about business, my own therapy, and consistent self-care are key! 💛🌅
@Sunshine Living WOW, what an inspirational story! I think many therapists go through something very similar in order to eventually get to the private practice and client work that they want, and that they truly love. Sounds like you found just that! Great work and keep going! -John
I went into private practice when I turned 29-basically 5 minutes after getting licensed lol. I got some underhanded comments about "are you sure this will be sustainable?" or "waiting until you make a name for yourself" but I knew the script is flipped because if you can manage the clinical intensity of agency life, private practice will feel like a fun relief despite the awkward or hustle-like initial building period.
@@NicholasJohnFilms I started part-time in 2016 and went full time in 2017. It's always a work in progress but 10x better than making 30/session doing group practice work.
I am one of those professors who has always told my students that they should get experience in an agency before moving to private practice, but I found your arguments to be really compelling (esp. in terms of the role of supervisors in private practice). I am going to have to reconsider my stance. Thanks for making me think.
Thank you! I am graduating from my masters program in a month and want to start a private practice. I have subscribed, and I think I am going to learn a lot from you!!!
I’m only an undergrad (junior) but I want to start learning about this already because this is my goal! Since freshman year of college, I have know I want to have my own private practice. I just kept thinking, “no one talks about how to do it!” And thankfully I found you! I know I have many years ahead of me but watching your videos has given me hope for the future! And you have given me much needed information! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this video. I am a new clinician and worked in a small agency right out of grad school. I got really burned out fast and am now thinking about starting a small part time private practice. I've been told that I shouldn't because I don't have enough experience with a wide variety of issues and it's really lonely. I think you make a good point about new clinicians working with the highest needs patients and clients.
Also- food for thought, who said you have to work with such a wide variety of issues? Consider niching- advertising what you specialize in, and being ethical but ensuring that you don't practice outside of your scope. If you market yourself appropriately the clients that come to you should be the ones you're best fit to help
I'm an older grad student and psych is my second career. I have years of business experience and for some dumb reason, I kept listening to people who felt that experience didn't apply. After watching a couple of your videos, I now realize my previous business experience will apply nicely... and I really have no interest working in Public Mental Health for years (especially at may age) before going into private practice. The crazy part is, you are 100% right in that grad school programs offer zero training in the business end of things.
I see both sides of the issue. I think an academic who says new therapists have no business learning business is very irresponsible academically and professionally.
As an aspiring psychologist/therapist who hasn't even started grad school, I have to say that this video even resonated with ME! I only have my bachelors and have been on the fence for years about pursuing a career for all these reasons. I earned my degree in 2016 and have worked at 4 different agencies (non-profit, private, even government) and I've been so discouraged because I'm already so burnt out. Low pay, overworked, and micromanaged. This video really helped spark some hope within me again. Thank you SO much for this channel
I've spent 4 yrs at a community mental health clinic and that's where I collected most of my clinical hours before licensure. It was just too much case mgt and social work that I just had to move on. Working a medical facility now which is definitely different, but starting private practice part time now. Trying to learn all the business stuff and marketing now. It's a breath of fresh air, but challenging at the same time. I guess for me it was helpful to work in different settings outside of private practice so I get a feel of what I like and didn't like. But I do agree, it sucks to be underpaid and overworked. Thanks for sharing!
Y’all are giving me so much hope! God willing, I will be starting my Masters in the field in the fall. I’m so excited to do this. I’m also looking into how to go about applying for an LLC.
Preach it!! I received zero business preparation in grad school. I didn't know it was even possible to go into private practice while becoming licensed. I also had that internship with 2 community mental health-style settings that that would burn out seasoned professionals. What do I wish I'd had in grad school? I would have loved guidance on billing insurance, setting rates, creating forms, software and resources (i.e. tele therapy etc), networking, how to build a business, the key steps required for creating a private practice (i.e. get registered with the state, get state and city business licenses, create an LLC, how to find a good starter office--and what the going rate is--the pitfalls of business rentals, etc). Accounting, cash pay billing, invoicing, overhead and how to minimize it, gross and net profit, business taxes. What no-show rate is typical for new therapists and what to do about it. Tips to discover your niche. In-depth criteria for HIPPA security (what a BAA is--that kind of stuff. My supervisor just stayed old-school and did it all by paper)... Why not have students create their own informed consent (what are the required key elements by law?), HIPPA Privacy sheets, intakes, tele therapy consent forms, business cards, etc in school? You name it--if we do it for our businesses, I wish I'd had it in grad school. It's a disservice to all graduates that our schools don't prepare us for business.
This is so on point! I had made the observation from my experience: as a brand new clinician I was working with highest acuity and very complex cases, while seasoned clinicians had mellow private practice with stable and high functioning patients. This is important for the field as a whole to consider- how can we reorganize things? Maybe more part time positions as you mentioned.
Thank you so much for this. I'm near the end of my MFT degree (Marriage and Family Therapist, Masters) and plan to go into private practice upon licensing. I have worked for different agencies prior to this in addiction counseling, so I think after my clinical training I will be able to go ahead and do that, especially since I have great clinical support for consultation/supervision support going forward. This is very helpful indeed!
This video is great! I needed it. I graduated in July 2020. Started working at an agency in October 2020. Got my license in February 2021. Left the agency and started private practice in April. I’m very anxious, but confident that I can do it. Thanks for giving me a boost!
I'm currently going through the frustration that goes along with this. New clinicians are treated as though we just exist to do all the work that more seasoned therapists don't want. It's a little ridiculous that we complain as an industry about the lack of available clinicians but we also shove our new colleagues into jobs almost guaranteed to burn them out. Also, I call bullshit on the need to learn clinical issues argument. That's what internship and externship are for.
I agree with this. In a lot of agencies right out of school, say in community mental health, supervisors don't even have time to give you regular supervision. I had one job where I was supposed to have monthly supervision but if I didn't fight for it, it wouldn't happen. At least in private practice you can control how much supervision you have, when you consult, and you can find someone with the availability to be a good support for you. I think schools should give people these skills and just reinforce the guidelines of "how to be ethical in private practice", which includes supervision/consultation.
Thank you for making this video! I’m in grad school on an LPC track and I’ve really been thinking the same thing regarding why private practice and business aren’t being really taught.
Thanks Deya! Hopefully we can help you become a bit more prepared for what's ahead, since your graduate program isn't much help with the business side!
I completely agree with you and wish this mentality was more common within Universities. In private practice, I now have better (and more consistent) clinical supervision and more time/control over additional training and professional development. Being employed at an overworked and underfunded government agency left me resentful towards my field and I eventually quit. Thankfully, I now enjoy my work as a (new) private practitioner and wish I had been more supported in this transition than I was. Thank you for your video.
Thanks for this vid. I’m based in the UK, and qualified a year ago, but gained experienced during my training and managed to secure a part-time sessional role during the end of 2019 and started my job in Jan 2020. I have colleagues referring clients to me but i dont have a private practice and unsure if i should take the leap.
I think it's good for an LMSW to get into private practice early. I started out doing independent contractor work under a LCSW my first year as a LMSW, and it was actually and still is a great experience. It a matter of finding out what works for you, as well as building a strong online presence for yourself. I wish I could prepare a little more for private practice such as getting a pllc, and getting on insurance panels, but its only so much you can do on a LMSW level. Especially in the state of NY lol. So, in other words I have to wait
I've never had a supervisor talk about the business side. Perhaps I need to bring up the topic. I left the field for 12 years due to burn out and promised to never again do DMH paperwork or field based work. I've returned to the field with very low wages, field based, etc, which is unsustainable for me. I hope to get licensed as soon as possible in order to work in private practice.
Samyra, I learned from another therapist that some states allow you to start private practice while you're earning your hours towards full licensure. Might check it out!
I laughed so hard when you said “grad schools don’t prepare us for business” I fucking agree. 60 hour program and they make us figure EVERYTHING out by ourselves.
Hi Thank your for your video. I am wondering, how many hours counselors required to complete to qualify where you live? Here in the UK, you need 450 client hours to be accredited, 100 hours to get your certificate. I am asking because I am not sure how much experience is necessary before starting private practice. :)
Timea great question! In most of the US, you need 3,000-4,000 supervised hours after licensure. Usually takes new clinicians 2-3 years! In my opinion, as long as you have good supervision, you can start private practice right away. Let me know how it's going for you!
I have over 7yrs as a clinician HOWEVER, I am now working on becoming licensed. My question is will you still encourage new clinicians(with my situation) to NOT open a private practice?
I opened my private practice the week my license came through, and now I only contract with interns who WANT to leave my practice and start their own when they are fully licensed. My thought is that they're going to spend the 3,000 intern hours learning to be effective clinicians...why not also use those 3,000 hours learning to operate a sustainable business? Thank you for putting words to why this isn't a "terrible" idea! : ). I do believe that having a good supervisor makes all the difference.
Wow, I love this idea Carolyn and I wish more therapists did this!! Keep up the great work.
I'd love to come work at your office! I'm an LPC-A trying to get things started with my own private practice on the side. I've had to work at agencies for the last few years but feel the need to strike out on my own!
This is what I'll be doing too!
Carolyn are you accepting interns now?
@Thomas Muething Everyone enters a university program of their preference to LEARN how to EARN a living doing something they enjoy. Yes, everyone should be trained to enter their profession; to be capable of EARNING a living in any preferred way. The fact that many, if not all, clinical training programs lack the business aspect of our profession is disheartening. Why? Because they teach us all aspects of our profession but the business aspect. Here, John is exploring one of a few issues we deal with in the social work/counseling/psychology master's programs. I'm sorry but I have to disagree with what you think therapists' primary role should be. It shouldn't be about what YOU expect. A therapy session is what you should expect to be all about you.
Thank you for this video! I spent 2 years in community mental health and “burned out”. I left the field that I loved because of the severe cases and lack of support that I received. I taught College Psychology for 10 years, worked on myself, got therapy, and learned about business. I went back to the field and spent 2 1/2 more years in community mental health. My intention was to earn my hours quickly, get a lot of training, get as much clinical support as I could, and get licensed in 3 years. I did just that and was licensed in March 2019 (3 years to the month). I started in a group private practice in April 2019. It took a couple months to build my caseload but I’ve been full since summer of 2019. I am credentialed with Kaiser, have some private pay, my schedule is full weekly, and have consistent referrals. I continue my own therapy, maintain good self-care, only work 4 days per week, and don’t see more than 25 clients per week. (20-25 clients, weekly) I’m so grateful that I never gave up. New Clinicians can be in private practice! Learning about business, my own therapy, and consistent self-care are key! 💛🌅
@Sunshine Living WOW, what an inspirational story! I think many therapists go through something very similar in order to eventually get to the private practice and client work that they want, and that they truly love. Sounds like you found just that! Great work and keep going! -John
Yes and amen! 🙌After 4 agency internships during grad school, I did my postdoc training in private practice. There's been no looking back since!
Private Practice Skills love it! And glad this topic has sparked such a lively discussion 🤓🤓🤓
I went into private practice when I turned 29-basically 5 minutes after getting licensed lol. I got some underhanded comments about "are you sure this will be sustainable?" or "waiting until you make a name for yourself" but I knew the script is flipped because if you can manage the clinical intensity of agency life, private practice will feel like a fun relief despite the awkward or hustle-like initial building period.
Nice work--and glad you could ignore the people judging you!
Awesome! How long did it take you before your practice was successful?
@@NicholasJohnFilms I started part-time in 2016 and went full time in 2017. It's always a work in progress but 10x better than making 30/session doing group practice work.
I am one of those professors who has always told my students that they should get experience in an agency before moving to private practice, but I found your arguments to be really compelling (esp. in terms of the role of supervisors in private practice). I am going to have to reconsider my stance. Thanks for making me think.
Thank you! I am graduating from my masters program in a month and want to start a private practice. I have subscribed, and I think I am going to learn a lot from you!!!
I’m only an undergrad (junior) but I want to start learning about this already because this is my goal! Since freshman year of college, I have know I want to have my own private practice. I just kept thinking, “no one talks about how to do it!” And thankfully I found you! I know I have many years ahead of me but watching your videos has given me hope for the future! And you have given me much needed information! Thank you!
Ditto!
so glad you're here!!
Thank you for sharing this video. I am a new clinician and worked in a small agency right out of grad school. I got really burned out fast and am now thinking about starting a small part time private practice. I've been told that I shouldn't because I don't have enough experience with a wide variety of issues and it's really lonely. I think you make a good point about new clinicians working with the highest needs patients and clients.
Irene glad this video helped. Good luck on your private practice journey and keep me posted on how it's going!
Also- food for thought, who said you have to work with such a wide variety of issues? Consider niching- advertising what you specialize in, and being ethical but ensuring that you don't practice outside of your scope. If you market yourself appropriately the clients that come to you should be the ones you're best fit to help
I'm an older grad student and psych is my second career. I have years of business experience and for some dumb reason, I kept listening to people who felt that experience didn't apply. After watching a couple of your videos, I now realize my previous business experience will apply nicely... and I really have no interest working in Public Mental Health for years (especially at may age) before going into private practice. The crazy part is, you are 100% right in that grad school programs offer zero training in the business end of things.
glad you are figuring out which voices to listen to, and which to ignore!!
I see both sides of the issue. I think an academic who says new therapists have no business learning business is very irresponsible academically and professionally.
You're right, as with all things there has to be balance!
As an aspiring psychologist/therapist who hasn't even started grad school, I have to say that this video even resonated with ME! I only have my bachelors and have been on the fence for years about pursuing a career for all these reasons. I earned my degree in 2016 and have worked at 4 different agencies (non-profit, private, even government) and I've been so discouraged because I'm already so burnt out. Low pay, overworked, and micromanaged. This video really helped spark some hope within me again. Thank you SO much for this channel
I've spent 4 yrs at a community mental health clinic and that's where I collected most of my clinical hours before licensure. It was just too much case mgt and social work that I just had to move on. Working a medical facility now which is definitely different, but starting private practice part time now. Trying to learn all the business stuff and marketing now. It's a breath of fresh air, but challenging at the same time. I guess for me it was helpful to work in different settings outside of private practice so I get a feel of what I like and didn't like. But I do agree, it sucks to be underpaid and overworked. Thanks for sharing!
Y’all are giving me so much hope! God willing, I will be starting my Masters in the field in the fall. I’m so excited to do this. I’m also looking into how to go about applying for an LLC.
LOVE it!! You will do great, and are already ahead of the curve by learning about business!
Preach it!! I received zero business preparation in grad school. I didn't know it was even possible to go into private practice while becoming licensed. I also had that internship with 2 community mental health-style settings that that would burn out seasoned professionals. What do I wish I'd had in grad school? I would have loved guidance on billing insurance, setting rates, creating forms, software and resources (i.e. tele therapy etc), networking, how to build a business, the key steps required for creating a private practice (i.e. get registered with the state, get state and city business licenses, create an LLC, how to find a good starter office--and what the going rate is--the pitfalls of business rentals, etc). Accounting, cash pay billing, invoicing, overhead and how to minimize it, gross and net profit, business taxes. What no-show rate is typical for new therapists and what to do about it. Tips to discover your niche. In-depth criteria for HIPPA security (what a BAA is--that kind of stuff. My supervisor just stayed old-school and did it all by paper)... Why not have students create their own informed consent (what are the required key elements by law?), HIPPA Privacy sheets, intakes, tele therapy consent forms, business cards, etc in school? You name it--if we do it for our businesses, I wish I'd had it in grad school. It's a disservice to all graduates that our schools don't prepare us for business.
glad we're on the same page :)
This is so on point! I had made the observation from my experience: as a brand new clinician I was working with highest acuity and very complex cases, while seasoned clinicians had mellow private practice with stable and high functioning patients. This is important for the field as a whole to consider- how can we reorganize things? Maybe more part time positions as you mentioned.
Thank you so much for this. I'm near the end of my MFT degree (Marriage and Family Therapist, Masters) and plan to go into private practice upon licensing. I have worked for different agencies prior to this in addiction counseling, so I think after my clinical training I will be able to go ahead and do that, especially since I have great clinical support for consultation/supervision support going forward. This is very helpful indeed!
so glad!!
This video is great! I needed it. I graduated in July 2020. Started working at an agency in October 2020. Got my license in February 2021. Left the agency and started private practice in April. I’m very anxious, but confident that I can do it. Thanks for giving me a boost!
Some excellent points, I would not have seen this perspective. Thank you
I'm currently going through the frustration that goes along with this. New clinicians are treated as though we just exist to do all the work that more seasoned therapists don't want. It's a little ridiculous that we complain as an industry about the lack of available clinicians but we also shove our new colleagues into jobs almost guaranteed to burn them out. Also, I call bullshit on the need to learn clinical issues argument. That's what internship and externship are for.
I agree with this. In a lot of agencies right out of school, say in community mental health, supervisors don't even have time to give you regular supervision. I had one job where I was supposed to have monthly supervision but if I didn't fight for it, it wouldn't happen. At least in private practice you can control how much supervision you have, when you consult, and you can find someone with the availability to be a good support for you. I think schools should give people these skills and just reinforce the guidelines of "how to be ethical in private practice", which includes supervision/consultation.
Thank you for making this video! I’m in grad school on an LPC track and I’ve really been thinking the same thing regarding why private practice and business aren’t being really taught.
Thanks Deya! Hopefully we can help you become a bit more prepared for what's ahead, since your graduate program isn't much help with the business side!
I completely agree with you and wish this mentality was more common within Universities. In private practice, I now have better (and more consistent) clinical supervision and more time/control over additional training and professional development. Being employed at an overworked and underfunded government agency left me resentful towards my field and I eventually quit. Thankfully, I now enjoy my work as a (new) private practitioner and wish I had been more supported in this transition than I was. Thank you for your video.
so glad!
Thanks for this vid. I’m based in the UK, and qualified a year ago, but gained experienced during my training and managed to secure a part-time sessional role during the end of 2019 and started my job in Jan 2020. I have colleagues referring clients to me but i dont have a private practice and unsure if i should take the leap.
you'll never be totally certain. if you want it bad enough, go for it and don't look back
I think it's good for an LMSW to get into private practice early. I started out doing independent contractor work under a LCSW my first year as a LMSW, and it was actually and still is a great experience. It a matter of finding out what works for you, as well as building a strong online presence for yourself. I wish I could prepare a little more for private practice such as getting a pllc, and getting on insurance panels, but its only so much you can do on a LMSW level. Especially in the state of NY lol. So, in other words I have to wait
Love this video! Thank you for
Glad you enjoyed it!
I've never had a supervisor talk about the business side. Perhaps I need to bring up the topic. I left the field for 12 years due to burn out and promised to never again do DMH paperwork or field based work. I've returned to the field with very low wages, field based, etc, which is unsustainable for me. I hope to get licensed as soon as possible in order to work in private practice.
Samyra, I learned from another therapist that some states allow you to start private practice while you're earning your hours towards full licensure. Might check it out!
I laughed so hard when you said “grad schools don’t prepare us for business” I fucking agree. 60 hour program and they make us figure EVERYTHING out by ourselves.
Glad you agree Nigel :) it's a crazy predicament, indeed...
Private Practice Workshop I know I’ll get there, but that 2-5 year window of candidacy post masters, is awful.
Really enjoyed this video thank you 🙏
You’re welcome 😊
Hi
Thank your for your video. I am wondering, how many hours counselors required to complete to qualify where you live?
Here in the UK, you need 450 client hours to be accredited, 100 hours to get your certificate. I am asking because I am not sure how much experience is necessary before starting private practice. :)
Timea great question! In most of the US, you need 3,000-4,000 supervised hours after licensure. Usually takes new clinicians 2-3 years! In my opinion, as long as you have good supervision, you can start private practice right away. Let me know how it's going for you!
What is the range of issues you deal with? Do you ever reject a potential client because their mental illness seems too severe and intense for you?
Canada is different. thankfully. it sounds horrible to have no choice.
I have over 7yrs as a clinician HOWEVER, I am now working on becoming licensed. My question is will you still encourage new clinicians(with my situation) to NOT open a private practice?
i encourage new clinicians to be in private practice :)
🕊