This is the 3rd part of a 3 -part series. 
To see the previous post in this series, click here.
Last Wednesday, I talked with you about some of the reasons that working in a community agency is a really smart step on your journey toward private practice. Here’s a few more thoughts to help you appreciate the path to private practice via an agency setting.
Community Resources Abound in Agency Settings
One of the challenges to any new mental health professional is a general lack of knowledge about the community resources. Yes, many communities have a “Blue Book” of community resources but that is not sufficient to support your clients and minimize your liability in private practice.
By spending time in an agency, you will have time and experiences that allow you to develop a knowledge and understanding of specific agencies’ strengths and challenges. For example, if you were in private practice today, would you know
- How to support and keep safe a suicidal client who has phoned you? (Check out ASIST through LivingWorks.)
- Where to send a client who is struggling with staying sober? (Inpatient treatment if detox is needed; Alcoholics Anonymous for ongoing peer support.)
- Who provides group therapy to court-ordered domestic violence offenders? (Here in Colorado, providers must be approved through the Domestic Violence Offender Management Board.)
- Who to call first when you’ve been threatened with a lawsuit? (Yes, call a mental health attorney.)
- Where to turn when your client needs resources to help her adult son who is soon to be homeless? (For me, it’s the Douglas County Youth Initiative’s resource guide.)
Of course, those questions are just a fraction of the resources that you will need to know in private practice. And, working in an agency for a few years will build up your knowledge of community resources faster than anything else!
Opportunity to Foster Community Relationships Will Pay Dividends Down the Road
And, while you are building up that knowledge of community resources, you will also be building up your address book as you continue to meet and problems solve with other agencies and professionals in your community. You may see this initially as simply “doing your job.” But, the truth is, you are planting seeds! Once you leave the agency and move into private practice, you will see that you have fostered many relationships with individuals and organizations. If you’ve done this right, you will know many who can and will be eager to send clients to you for counseling and support!
Here, in Colorado, many new therapists eschew agency work and opt to immediately hang out their shingles only to find that they struggle in private practice. I can’t say that I’m really surprised. If you haven’t planted the seeds to help clients find their way to you, it’s not likely that you will have great success in private practice. There are many paths to building a successful and vibrant practice, but working in an agency is definitely one that can pay off in dividends if you have the wisdom to pursue it!
Have you worked in a non-profit or agency of some type? What have been the benefits for you? Are you now in private practice and didn’t take this route? I hope regardless of your path, you’ll take a moment to drop in here to chat and let us learn from your journey.
The first post in this 3-part series can be found here.
I interned at a non profit domestic violence shelter, and later led some groups for pay for them. I would say the largest benefit I had was having supervisors who introduced me to play therapy, which is now one of my passions, not only that but I have a clinical supervisor and a mentor type person (two separate people) that I have gotten out of the experience. Not to mention I am now in practice back in the same area and gave them a call and got on their referral list for children.
Sweet! Love hearing about those benefits, Jill! Thanks for dropping in to share!
Although I agree with your information, today’s economy leaves little room for the fresh-out-of-school counselor. I have had to begin a private practice to gain experience and complete my supervision. I would love to work in the industry first, but there are many seasoned psychologists/counselors/social workers, etc. who are also seeking even entry level positions just to stay employed. Any tips on how to gain employment within the industry if you are just graduating and have no experience?
Thank you!
Hi, Carol! And, welcome to Private Practice from the Inside Out! I’m so glad that you bring up this point. You are right, of course. With the job market as tight as it is right now, it is critical that you set yourself apart from the masses that are joining the job market every day.
I’m really happy to see that you have already started working on your web presence with a website. That’s a huge step in the right direction.
The next step that I would suggest to you is to take full advantage of that site. Start blogging in whatever niche that you are most passionate about. Curate information, ideas, and resources related to that particular area. If you aren’t working yet, you have the time . . . or should make the time. This step alone can help you stand out from the crowd.
Demonstrate your own brilliance by sharing your thoughts and ideas. And, demonstrate your resourcefulness and collegial tendencies by highlighting others’ resources, too. Two of the traits that most employers look for before all others is the ability to communicate (show them your writing skills!) and the willingness to be a great team player (by connecting with others online). And, Carol, when you get that blog up and running, make sure you drop back in to the Social Media Love Fest for Mental Health Professionals and add your info there, too!
And, for those of you who are ready to write a cover letter , you might want to check out this post I wrote earlier this year to help you out.
Thank you so much, Tamara. I will take your advice and begin blogging about my passions. Combining resources is another wonderful example! I appreciate your information and your wonderful blog. I will be back often to gain your insight on future endeavors.
Carol
Carol, I’m so glad you find the information helpful. That’s the plan! Please do come back often, join the conversations, and bring your friends and colleagues!
What I know is that the more voices we have here the stronger and richer our online community becomes. The world needs more not less mental health professionals and there is room at the table for all of us. It’s a lie to say that “there’s too many of us.” There is not too many of us and we don’t have to climb over each other to survive and thrive! I know – I’ve done it. And, you can, too!
Another benefit of working at an agency is referrals from former co-workers. I left my organization on good terms and meet up with my former co-workers on occasion. When I do, I hand out pens I had made that have my name and website address stamped on them, I find them more useful and memorable than the old fashioned business card. I’ve received a few referrals from this type of networking, more than enough anyway to pay for the pens.
Hi, Aaron! Thanks so much for joining us here to chat! You make a terrific point about co-workers sending referrals. I have found the same to be true. And, I love your out-of-the-box thinking about marketing with something memorable (and more difficult to lose than a business card!). Where do you get your pens made?
I just went with: pens.com
Thanks so much, Aaron, for taking time to drop back in with your resource. I’m sure others will appreciate it!
A few years back, a friend offered me an opportunity to interview with an in home mental health agency. I have had horrible experiences (death threats, homicidal clients, psychotic breaks) and completely fantastic experiences (former prostitute completing GED, drug dealer reaching 2 years sobriety). I have become a better person in addition to becoming a fantastic therapist (I’m humble, too) because of how my clients have impacted my life. I look at an upcoming private practice opportunity as “nothing can be harder than this” and figure a person with two diagnoses will be a piece of cake compared to the multiple, complex diagnoses that I currently see and love on a daily basis.
Amanda, you just made my point. Your experiences in agency work have been life-altering – for both you and your clients – and I suspect that because of those experiences, you are better able to think on your feet, less likely to be left speechless, and more likely to make well-informed, professionals choices in your clinical work.
Thank you for taking time to share your experineces in agency work. I hope others will share their experiences here, too.
Amanda . . . I just noticed that you don’t have a little picture of you next to your comments. You’re missing an opportunity to help people remember who you are. If you want to have a little picture of you show up in your comments, you can find out how right here. It’s really simple – I promise!
Hi,
I recently just graduated and passed my state exam. I’ve interviewed for agencies but I recently began interviewing with private practice.
I have worked in agencies as a case manager for 3 years, residential setting for 2 years, I am currently working as coordinator and i do believe I want to go in Private Practice because I’ve worked in the overwhelming setting. However, the practices that I’ve look of interest into have some great benefits. I am taking a chance of the pay but i think it’ll be more guaranteed also.
I’m also very unsure of which way but my faith is pushing me towards Private. I have many connections and I know services to connect clients for assistance if I were a Social Worker.
Ahhhh, Chenitha! You sound like you have done your homework and are bringing a strong foundation into private practice. When you are ready, I say “Go fo it!” Being prepared – not just clinically but also business-wise with community connections and a web of support are key to success in private practice. Best wishes on your journey!