Transition from school to private practice

[tomfooleries]

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As an aging, professional RA 🙂D), I wanted to ask current students and/or recent graduates about their understanding of the transition from graduate school/postdoc into work in private practice.

All the information I've gathered from talking with a wide range of psychologists in academics, from reading forums like this, or browsing websites suggests private practice to be specific: a psychologist entering into his own field, either specializing (i.e. neuropsych, pediatric psych, forensic), or marketing/positioning themselves to doing your garden variety assessments. I understand it to be very difficult, but potentially very rewarding, with challenges central to ins reimbursement, building clientele, earning enough to employ help, etc.

I was curious to know if any psychologists, like MDs, ever seek employment in private, group practices; my question is whether they exist, and if so, how accessible jobs within might be, how lucrative/enjoyable, etc. I have an image of a poor, recent graduate doing extensive assessment/therapy only to turn around and give 50-60% of their billed hours to superior. Like any other field though, huh?

 

[tomfooleries]

T4C, this question is so directed to you...

wondering about your thoughts on the reality of executive coaching and the like, too... how difficult it may be to become involved with, the possibility of moving into the field with a ph.d. in clinical psych.

i enjoy many aspects of psych but i find myself becoming more and more interested in the business side, particularly as I noticed most in the field aren't..

 

[Aura5]

oh my god get over yourself!! Just kidding, probably in bad taste. but in reference to your other thread 😉

I am but a mere Ph.D. hopeful, my next step being master's since my undergrad was not in psych. So, I'm not as versed as most others on here. You asked about "psychologists (MDs)"...MDs are psychiatrists and psychologists are Ph.D.s, maybe a typo. As far as psychologists in group private practices...I've seen that pop up now and then. I work for a mental health organization so I've looked up different practices from time to time, and do see a few Ph.D.s. Mostly master's level people, though, to be honest...sh... There might be 1 or 2 doctorate levels for every 5 LCPCs, or something.

Anyway hopefully someone here who's been through the graduation-to-working transition can help you.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

wondering about your thoughts on the reality of executive coaching and the like, too... how difficult it may be to become involved with, the possibility of moving into the field with a ph.d. in clinical psych.

Executive coaching is a great idea in theory, but hard to do in practice. Management up to C-level will value "success" > "expertise", so it is up to the psychologist to prove your value. I've been kicking around how to do this most effectively, and it has been a challenge because of the inherent Catch-22, though I think I put together a pretty good plan.

Being mentored by someone in the field is probably the safest route, but they are few and far between. Executive Coaches have all sorts of credentials.....and most have nothing to do with psychology. Former CEOs and Top 10 B-school grads are most likely your real competition. A psychologist can be uniquely qualified, but it is all how you package it. I'm not willing to share my plan, though I will say people who can balance innovation, moderate risk, and opportunity have the best shot at rising above the rest.

 

[PsychApps2009]

You asked about "psychologists (MDs)"...MDs are psychiatrists and psychologists are Ph.D.s, maybe a typo.

You just misread it. "I was curious to know if any psychologists, like MDs, ever seek employment in private, group practices." (i.e., he's using doctors as comparison).

To the OP: I don't know much about it, but I'm sure it's possible. Of course, my only knowledge of such things comes from shows like Nip/Tuck or Private Practice lol. I assume networking helps in finding these positions.

Here's a thread that discusses small group practice (for assessments): http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=407118