Starting a counselling private practice - rewards & challenges
Setting up your own counselling private practice is a significant decision that comes with its share of challenges and rewards. While the prospect of venturing into business may seem daunting, there are numerous positive reasons why many counsellors choose to take the leap and build their own practices. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the compelling reasons for setting up your own counselling private practice and how it can lead to professional fulfilment, personal growth, and a greater sense of autonomy. We will also look at the challenges that you may face so you can build practices in your business to mitigate them.
If you are ready to launch your private practice download my FREE Private Practice Checklist now!
Rewards
Autonomy and Control
One of the most appealing aspects of starting your own counselling private practice is the autonomy and control it offers.
As the owner of your practice, you have the freedom to set your own schedule, choose your clients, and define your therapeutic approach.
This autonomy allows you to align your practice with your values, passions, and professional goals, creating a more fulfilling and meaningful work experience.
Flexibility and Work-Life Balance
Running your own counselling private practice provides greater flexibility and control over your work schedule.
You can design your practice around your lifestyle, allowing for more time with family and friends and to pursue other projects/hobbies.
With the ability to set your own hours and manage your workload, you can achieve a better work-life balance and prevent burnout.
Financial Independence
Starting your own counselling private practice can be financially rewarding, allowing you to earn a higher income than you might as an employee.
You have the opportunity to set your own rates, attract high-paying clients, and retain a larger portion of your earnings.
By building a successful practice, you can achieve financial independence and security, providing greater stability for yourself.
Personal and Professional Growth
Building and managing your own counselling private practice will create personal and professional growth.
You'll develop valuable business skills, such as marketing, financial management, and strategic planning, that will serve you well in your career.
The challenges and responsibilities of running your own business will push you out of your comfort zone and encourage you to learn and evolve as a counsellor and business owner.
Fulfilment and Impact
Owning your own counselling private practice allows you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of your clients. By providing personalised, client-centred care, you can have a positive impact on your clients' mental health and well-being, leading to greater fulfilment and satisfaction in your work.
You have the freedom to create a practice that aligns with your passions and values, allowing you to focus on the areas of counselling that resonate most deeply with you.
Challenges
Despite all of the potential rewards of running your own private practice, there are still some challenges to consider seriously before setting up. The following are some of the challenges you could face as a solo counsellor in private practice:
The Financial Rollercoaster
First off, the money side of things. Going solo means waving goodbye to that predictable pay cheque. Exciting? Absolutely. A bit nerve-wracking? For sure. It could take a while to build a solid client base, and until then, your income might do a bit of a dance – some months up, some months down. And remember, all those perks you might’ve had before, like pension contributions or sick pay, are now all on you to sort out. The costs can add up, from renting a space to getting your insurance sorted. If you’re someone who is used to or prefers a reliable salary, in which you know what you’ll be bringing in each month, then the switch to running your own practice is likely to be a jarring one.
Administrative & marketing responsibilities
When you run your own private practice, you wear all the hats and you’re responsible for handling not only your therapeutic work with clients, you’re also responsible for managing every aspect of your business’s administrative duties. Admin tasks, booking appointments, taking payments, bookkeeping, managing your website and marketing your business to let potential clients know you exist and what you can do for them.
Isolation & work/life imbalance
One thing you might not expect? How isolating it can feel. It’s common for therapists, who work alone, to experience bouts of professional isolation. There’s none of that buzz from working with a team, bouncing ideas off each other, or having a natter about your day. This career path may feel especially challenging for those who thrive on collaboration and peer support. Making an effort to connect with peers and keep learning is key – it keeps you well rounded and grows your practice.
And then there’s the work-life balance. When your home is your office (or your office feels like home), where do you draw the line? It’s easy for work to start spilling into your personal time, especially in the early days when you’re hustling hard. Setting boundaries is crucial, even if it’s just making sure you switch off your emails at dinner time.
So, Should You Do It?
Before you take the plunge, have a good think about what you want from your career and life. Are you ready to juggle the business side with your client work? How much do you value work-life balance? Are you okay with the ups and downs that come with running your own practice? It’s a big decision, but trust me, it’s one worth pondering.
Tips for making the decision
Consider your personal and professional goals:
How many skills do you already have for running the business side of a practice? What values as a professional are most important to you?
Are you comfortable (or comfortable learning) how to do all of your own administrative, accounting, and marketing tasks?
How much does work/life balance matter to you?
Do you like working independently, or do you prefer to work with a variety of trusted colleagues?
Starting my own practice was so rewarding for me in many ways but there is no sugar coating that it is a lot to set up in the beginning and there is a lot that regularly needs to be done behind the scenes. I actually thrive on the ‘behind the scenes’ business side but I believe that is because I have a good solid system/foundation in place.
Conclusion
Starting your own counselling private practice takes effort and determination but it's a rewarding venture that offers many positive benefits. From greater autonomy and flexibility to financial independence and personal growth, owning your business opens up numerous possibilities for counsellors seeking to create a practice that aligns with their values and goals. While running your own business may be challenging at times, the rewards of building your own practice – both professionally and personally – make the effort well worth it.
If you are ready to launch your private practice download my FREE Private Practice Checklist now!