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What is Private Practice?

Professional counselors work in many different settings including schools, hospitals, agencies, DCS, home-based services, addiction rehab centers, churches, and more.  Private Practice is when a licensed counselor chooses to provide therapy directly to clients without working for an agency or organization.  

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When a counselor goes into private practice, they are literally starting their own business.  If they are the only one providing counseling, they are a Solo Practitioner.  If they hire more counselors to work in their practice, it is a Group Practice and they are a Group Practice Owner.  Both are considered "Private Practice" and anyone working either as an employee in a group practice or as a solo practitioner is considered working in private practice.  

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Many counselors opt for private practice to have a flexible schedule with fewer demands than found in agency or hospital work.  The opportunity to specialize is also appealing for many going into private practice as they have more control over the types of clients they want to see.  

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If you want to go into private practice, you'll need a Master's degree and a license to practice therapy as well as some basic business knowledge to start.  Marketing, time-management, and leadership skills will be necessary to grow beyond start-up.  

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There are MANY courses, coaches, books, and podcasts that help counselors launch and grow private therapy practices.  Once you have your license, much of the private practice business can be self-taught!

Steps to Becoming a Professional Counselor

Undergraduate Degree

You can get a bachelor's degree in almost anything on your path to becoming a therapist (my undergrad is in History) Many therapists start out in a different profession (I was a teacher) before returning to school for counseling.  However, if you know you want to be a professional counselor, a psychology or social work undergrad degree will be most efficient.  Throw in a minor in business and communications if you want to do private practice!

Graduate Degree

You cannot practice in therapy until you complete a 60 hour Master's Degree program.  The three most common programs for those aiming for Private Practice are:

  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling

  • Marriage and Family Therapy

  • Clinical Social Work.  

All of these programs will have courses in theory, skills, and practical application, culminating in actual client work in 3 phases:

  • Practicum 100 hrs

  • Internship 300 hrs

  • Advanced Internship 300 hrs

Associate Level License

Yay!  You got your Master's Degree!  You're still not done. Next up you take a big fat test to get your provisional license- basically a license to practice as long as you are supervised by someone fully licensed.  You have to practice with a supervisor until you've completed 3000 hours of therapy and 100 hours of supervision.  The test you take and license you get depends on the graduate program you complete:

  • LMHCA - Licensed Mental Health Counselor 

  • LMFTA - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

  • LSW - Licensed Social Worker

Fully Licensed

After you've completed your 3000 hours of practice and 100 hours of supervision you can submit your application for your full license.  The licensing board will then approve you to take your final exam and once you pass you will be a fully licensed therapist:

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  • LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor

  • LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

  • LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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