What Surprised You the Most About Private Practice?

[@teemoschberger1877]

For those dealing with loneliness, I wanted to share my setup because it’s really been incredible. I rented a 5 office suite and found some amazing other private practice therapists to sublet the offices. We share a bathroom, kitchen, and waiting room. We have all become good friends and it’s great to have people to bounce things off of, have support from fellow clinicians, etc, yet we are all independent and run our businesses a little differently. We aren’t competing and actually are an amazing referral network between us. It’s been really great for all of our businesses and our own job satisfaction!

[@mckenziejohnston6238]

Yes! SW's need each other, family and others don't understand what we go through. Only we do. It's so important to have positive and non-competitive relationships with other therapists/social workers/psychologists

[@CourageousSoulCounseling]

SO EXCELLENT!! I would also add if you are prelicensed in private practice that the isolation and judgement that occurs by licensed therapists is appalling. I thought it would be more inviting but there is an automatic judgement that you aren't seasoned or experienced enough.

[@MrBones105]

As an associate (soon to be fully licensed) therapist, I too am surprised at the attitudes and actions of more experienced therapists towards prelicensure folks, and not in a good way. It feels like either I experience indifference or judgment (e.g., "you need to do your time, don't complain about financial hardship/overwork/logistical stuff, etc"), or - and this one was really the shocker - older clinicians sort of taking advantage of younger clinicians, either by feeding them incorrect ideas about private practice, shady practices or poor pay in group practice settings, charging obscene amounts for supervision. The list goes on. I really am at a loss as to some of this stuff - I really was not expecting it coming in to the world of being a therapist. I thought the community would be more supportive, but I often feel like people are trying to manipulate me for their own benefit quite frequently.

[@CourageousSoulCounseling]

@@MrBones105 YES YES YES!!! Exactly!! Everything you said is right on. It is so foreign to me. I am a HUGE collaborator and when I discover things I want to share to help others (much like what Dr. Fang is doing here!). Yet there is a disconnect somewhere. We are the change!

[@ZaneZiba]

@@CourageousSoulCounseling we need to lobby for ourselves

[@kathydoyel1582]

As a student, I really appreciate hearing about these things. I’m fully going into the mental health space understanding that it is also a business. I’m a member of my local CAMFT chapter and have reached out to the members for help a couple of times and have been pleased and impressed by how quickly responses came back. I want to be a great therapist and I look at all knowledge as good. Thanks!!

[@woonsckt]

This video was so helpful! So glad I can watch your channel while I decide whether or not to start my solo practice when I get my LCSW this year 😊

[@rachelh-j5006]

I'm so glad to hear that others thought that private practice was easier than expected. Me too! But - and this is not me just kissing up to you Marie - watching your videos prior to starting my practice actually gave me the courage to make the plunge!

[@paulhornbogen980]

Howdy Doc. As a long time viewer, i really enjoy how talk about the good, bad, and ugly of private practice. You are so on target about being creative and the business aspects. I like your blunt aspect of talking about just listing and having to do more. Spot on. Doing both online and offline networking is so incredibly important to get the word out on a budget. I am taking a page out of your book and I am going to in the future have a small practice, while focusing on cybersecurity and software engineering to pay for the dementia stuff. Yes, other colleagues will blow you off for whatever reason. Keep up the good work Doc.

[@pbxh6740]

So disappointed in my area to find out how many agencies threaten their therapists against leaving by making them sign non-compete agreements. We have a shortage of therapists here! Luckily my state has outlawed these in healthcare now.

[@ZaneZiba]

I wonder if being BIPOC is an element to bargaining and pushing back in accepting insurances. I am BIPOC and shared these experiences.

[@PsychologyPop]

Yes. People may see us as 'worth--less.' But we're not. So being confident about that resonates in how we present ourselves. Don't even think about accepting less. -Elana

[@ZaneZiba]

@@PsychologyPop Your words mean a lot, Elana. Trying to move to solo private practice 💯💓🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

[@PsychologyPop]

Answer: There is so much creativity I can apply! Being a true creative in my soul, I have been able to just let my creativity flow in marketing, creating forms, HOW I do therapy, and more --- it's awesome! -Elana

[@henryhealing444]

Great list. I don't have a private practice (yet) but I can hear all of this as truth.

[@deidrab.6322]

Insurance/pay: I wonder if people are willing to pay your full rate because you’re in California AND you’re a doctor? In the south people tend to not take mental health as seriously and usually only go if covered by insurance. So getting individuals to pay a full fee out of pocket and that most of our therapists are at the masters level, is like pulling teeth

[@cristallatus]

Omg! My current situation here in NC. All of this is true. I would argue, however, that the masters level does not matter because they aren't coming to get therapy regardless of your creditors in the south.

[@markm3477]

Gordon Gecko wasn't just talking about the financial industry when he said, "If you want a friend, get a dog.". Unfortunately, and I know I prob have all sorts of undiagnosed mental issues, but I believe under our system of monopolistic capitalism, most "successful" people are cutthroat, hyper competitive and fake their friendliness to get ahead across all industries. The thing with our system is this: artificial shortages are always being created in order for profits to be made and people to be exploited. The system is so sickening i don't see hope. At least in America; most people suck due to competitions negative effects on human nature. "It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society."

[@therapywithdarrin5998]

Hi. I’m loving your courses so far. (Purchased 2 of them) Do you offer a course on how to grow your KZbin channel as a therapist?

[@forestjuvland5047]

Do you think it makes sense to work in s group practice first to learn the ropes? I currently am in a supervisor role for a large hospital, so I don’t know a whole lot about private practice, but I’m aching for the freedom a hospital system can’t give you.

[@TrojanPiper]

2 acc = to accommodate?

[@DanielWitch]

That was how I read it when I saw it