Open Your Private Practice

I never  thought I would have a private practice!

I recall after completing my masters program, I had no desire to open a private practice. The thought sounded overwhelming, included a lot of work, responsibility and liability. My stance was, “I’ll work for someone else and let them worry about the business, administrative and legal stuff." 

Then there was the barrier of the pure lack of know how of where would I even start since this is knowledge is not covered in all our extensive educational programing. After working as the mental health provider in a SUD program, I began to see the value of having my own practice. The freedom potential it actually carried; with my time, finances, and dictating my client base. 

But where to begin? Thankfully, I had a few colleagues who graciously walked me down the path they had already traveled.

I have compiled what they shared with me to my own experiences, added additional research and professional guidance to create this workbook and facilitate the process for you to make it as simple and guess free as possible. While there will still be some confusing moments and struggles...filling our legal and professional paperwork just comes with those attributes, I have compiled the basic steps, websites and links to help get you moving in the right direction.  

Opening my own private practice has created so much freedom for me. There is not a better feeling than making the executive decision to take a random Tuesday off to take care of personal appointments, Or take a week of to go on a trip with my friends and not have to ask anyone to for permission or debate if I should use my PTO for this thing or that thing. 

The ability to chose how many clients I see, the ability to charge a fair rate that sustains my life and allows for better work life balance is an incredible feeling that I want all providers to experience. Had I not had the encouragement and guidance to do this I would not be here and this is my way of paying it forward to help guide other providers in the same way!