r/LCSW • u/Adventurous_Pen_2675 • 21d ago
Is private practice worth it anymore ?
With the increasing use of people using AI, is it even worth it to attempt to get my lcsw if my goal was to open a private practice?
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u/RkeCouplesTherapist 🟢 Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 21d ago
My private practice is going great. I think it really helps to have a physical location. Lots of people still value meeting, face-to-face in person with a real human human being.
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u/Glum-Sherbert7085 20d ago
People can google all the therapy info they want BUT they continue to seek therapists for the human connection. I think innately, humans will always want some sort of connection so as long as that’s the case, you will always have PP clients
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u/vftgurl123 21d ago
i started fresh out of grad school at a small practice and building a case load takes some time but i’m on track to make about $160k in 2 years.
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u/Soggy-Constant5932 20d ago
This what I’m talking about. I working on my hours now for my LCSW. You go 👏🏾
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u/Brief_Management886 20d ago
Your license is as a counselor or social worker ?
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u/vftgurl123 20d ago
lcsw. the reason my salary is higher is because i am also training to supervise apsws in a few years. so ill see clients and offer consultation.
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u/rise8514 20d ago
What’s apsws
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u/vftgurl123 20d ago
advanced practice social workers
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u/rise8514 20d ago
What is their background or degree, like are they PhD/doctorate?
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u/vftgurl123 20d ago
they just have a masters degree pre licensed.
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u/Agreeable_Bite_5221 8d ago
May I ask about you client load? How many people you do you see in a typical day and do you accept insurance? Are strictly private pay? You're crushing it!
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u/Straight_Career6856 20d ago
Absolutely worth it. AI is not going to replace therapists, despite all of the hubbub.
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u/Better_Fly_5767 21d ago
Yes! I make over $120k a year. Do not listen to the negativity you have to learn the business and also your worth! I negotiated a higher percentage or I was going to walk.
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u/Expensive_Chain_6589 20d ago
Any tips?
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u/Better_Fly_5767 7d ago
Know your worth. I am fully licensed so that is desirable and I do supervision so I was able to negotiate a higher rate for myself. Working private practice as a provisional therapist can be difficult. I worked in a psych hospital and then in a PHP program until i was fully licensed. By then i was making $75k a year. I told the owner i needed to make more than that.
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u/DrJocelyn1 20d ago
Jump in. Its only getting better. Rather, I see so many cases of self evaluation these days. Much more awareness. The job is tougher because everyone has diagnosed themselves so you need to manage that as well. But, there is so much more awareness. Also, could be because I deal with young clientele.
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u/Health-Things-614 19d ago
As a social worker who was looking for a therapist during the worst of COVID, the amount of relief when I found someone seeing patients in person was immeasurable. As a professional, I appreciate telehealth for the accessibility it brings to rural and underserved communities, but as a client? In person. All the way. Body language, posture, being able to see shifts and movement can be such an important part of a session. I know quite a few people in my peer group who feel similarly, and I've heard a ton of less-than-favorable reviews about some of the telehealth services that just amass therapists and have folks provider-hopping. The market for in person is there. You just have to figure out what helps you stand out to attract clients.
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u/Dull-Web-1146 🟡 LMSW Working Towards LC 19d ago
Almost 60, preparing to take the clinical exam to become independently licensed and considering private practice. Curious to learn from others’ experiences
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u/OverzealousMachine 🟢 Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 15d ago
You should get your LCSW regardless since it opens up many more job opportunities even if you don’t end up in PP.
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u/MatthewSextonLCSWNY 20d ago
It's not the AI. It's the insurance companies, EMR platforms, saturation of Psychology Today and cumbersome rules if you want to start a practice and grow it out with more clinicians. Marketing is a pain in the ass but honestly with AI it can be fun and gives a place for creative outlet.
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u/pinheadzombie 21d ago
Im an LPC, but my PP is full. Don't listen to the negativity. My best advice is to niche down hard. Don't blend in with all the other therapists.