LCSW Private Practice Advice?

[ladulcemusica]

Hello all! I am an MSW student set to graduate next month.

My end goal is to run my own private general and holistic counseling and therapy practice.

I know the next step to achieve my goal is to earn my LCSW so that I will be licensed to start my own private practice.

I have two questions:

1. What would be the best way for me to earn supervision while learning the ins and outs of this business? I want to be an excellent clinician AND businesswoman. Are LCSWs in private practice often open to hiring MSWs and providing them with supervision? If not, what types of employers (that would offer clinical experience and supervision) would those of you who have earned the LCSW and gone onto your own practice suggest?
2. To begin my business, what tips would LCSWs who have their practice give? What do you wish you'd known in the beginning?

Thanks so much. I really value the advice of those who have achieved my goals and hope to follow in your footsteps! I love this work and want to do well at it.

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[Advisor2LCSWers]

Great Questions....

1. Try to connect with every venue that uses LCSW's in there practice. If it is a county or state facility send them letters w/ your resume indicating your need for hours and be prepared to sell your soul for a limited period of time. If you try to contact private practice LCSW remember we already know you want to start your own business and our time on the phone with you is valuable to us so I would be prepared with a short dissertation on why you are calling and that you are understanding of my times value and just ask if you may send a brief resume and note explaining what your needs are. If you happen not to get an answering machine or answering service still be brief but personable send the same brief letter (I recommend snail mail and email both) and NEVER NEVER forget to send a hand written snail mail note of thanks separate even if The LCSW rejects you.... It will go a long way. The offices i manage get a ton of requests weekly it is my job as an admin to bring these forth to the individual practitioners and if there ain't butt kisssin they are put at the bottom of the list.

2. As far as learning the business end. Easy attend every Small Business Development seminar and meeting in your area, Contact Score in your area (if not in your area they do phone contact calls so just hunt for the closest chapter that has a Retired LCSW willing to assist you. When you work getting your hours never indicate that you are interested in starting your own practice BUT pay attention to everything especially everything that does not work as well as what works well... Nothing beats experience. I would suggest to everyone to work for a biggy firm while starting your own practice. Be careful of non competes when hired....

In Brief. As a 40 something that has owned and managed many different service businesses and now operating 4 private practice LCSW practices There is a world of opportunity BUT make sure you love what you do first then learn business ( and in my opinion business is business) and be prepared for business ... learn marketing, accounting, legal issues and etc. Do not be afraid to try something new. I have 4 clients that I have taken from 45 -75k in 2years and put most in the upper 100k level and another at 237k in 2 short years. Today education is easy to sell you just have to know how and to whom and understand and believe why you need to as a mental health professional...

Good Luck