Working part time as a clinical psychologist? Feasible?

[Mellitus]

---

Members don't see this ad.

http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2012/08/30/the-highest-paying-part-time-jobs-in-america/

Is it feasible to work only part time as a clinical psychologist?

 

[Doctor Eliza]

Sure, but you'd probably want a partner providing an additional income for the household.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Feasible....eh, it depends on your lifestyle. If you live somewhere that has a low cost of living and you are able to bill a decent rate (most likely servicing middle/upper-middle class ppl) AND keep your overhead low...sure. If you rely on insurance, have to pay a couple grand a month in overhead, and are fighting with mid-levels for work....your spouse better make a good living.

 

[paramour]

The PsyD who rents a room out of our offices only works two days per week. BUT, I haven't the slightest what the rest of her financial situation looks like (partner, independently wealthy, lives in a shack <shrug>).

 

[Mellitus]

very interesting!

 

[joetro]

There are so many things that article/number doesn't take into account: the complete lack of any benefits, retirement, sick/leave days, insurance; the time it takes to deal with insurance and the cut in pay through accepting insurance; overhead of many kinds; other misc. expenses, etc.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

There are so many things that article/number doesn't take into account: the complete lack of any benefits, retirement, sick/leave days, insurance; the time it takes to deal with insurance and the cut in pay through accepting insurance; overhead of many kinds; other misc. expenses, etc.

Agreed. There's also no info (that I could find in my admittedly brief foray into the article) about the methodology. Who'd they ask? Are those the rates billed or the amount actually received? Do these folks also have full-time jobs (the article mentions on the side work)?

If they're polling newly-graduated folks who're unable to find full-time employment, that's one thing (and I'd seriously doubt these are the people pulling down $125/hour). It's another matter entirely if they've polled well-established folks and/or those who choose to have a "side gig" while also maintaining full-time employment, given that these people likely chose to pursue the opportunity because it seemed lucrative (e.g., a handful of clients at a part-time, cash-pay PP), may be more likely to be doing forensic work (which tends to pay well), might be prescribers, etc.

 

[Mellitus]

what do you think is the best field / career choice in clinical psychology, or psychology as a whole, for someone who only wants to work part time?

 

[erg923]

Uh, do you mean which work setting?

Certainly some employers hire psychologist part-time, but obvioulsy working for yourself in PP is the way most people do it.