Domestic violence statistics show that 20 people are physically abused by their intimate partner every minute. When added up, the number snowballs into an alarming piece of information. But this information cannot be brushed aside as a mere number. These are real people that we talk about—people who need help getting back to their lives and getting through the dark clouds of the grave injustice.
Physical abuse by intimate partners is just one aspect of social injustice. A plethora of other issues is prevailing too. Anyone can be at the receiving end—women, children, men, and transgender—all need immediate attention from professionals.
The upsurge in cases related to stress, physical and psychological abuse, bullying, etc., increases the demand for qualified professionals such as counselors, therapists, social workers, and psychiatrists. The BLS projects that the demand for counselors will increase by 23% from 2020 to 2030. This explains a greater interest in counselors to start their own practice. However, starting a private practice is a walk in the park. It needs a solid foundation that ensures its viability and sustainability.
If you are starting your private practice in counseling, consider going through this checklist for a general idea of what you must do.
- Ask yourself Why you want to start a private practice
The job of a counselor has an altruistic nature. It is characterized by helping others and being a part of the societal cause. But helping society may not be the only reason for you to start your private practice. You can start your private practice to earn more money, have more control over work, be your own boss, and help humanity. A personal reason can also persuade you. For example, a criminal therapist may be motivated to start their practice because someone among their loved ones had to face a wrongful arrest but failed to find a dedicated therapist later. Another reason can be a better job outlook and demand for criminal therapists.
So, ask yourself, what is your motivation?
Is it money? Fame?
Community service?
More autonomy?
Even if your answer is a “yes” to all these answers, this is completely okay! Besides, who does not want to have a better life and career? Your reasons for starting your business/ private practice should be strong enough to get you through the difficult times and motivate you to stay steadfast in your endeavors. The clearer you are about your reasons, the readier you can be to dedicate all your resources to your project.
- Have a detailed business plan
Having a business is essential as it gives you direction and a road map to make important decisions about your private practice. It defines your boundaries! So, your business plan must focus on the following aspects:
Target market and client details: Think about the details of the clients you are catering to and the problems you plan on solving for them. Are kids your clients too? Do you have a preferred age group or gender that you choose as your clients? The more detailed you are on this aspect, the better clarity you have on your business.
Private practice fee: Determine how much you will charge your clients. Will be a per-session fee or a monthly program, like a subscription? Will you partner with insurance companies too? The fee you demand from your clients must be enough to meet your expenses and let you break even in the initial months of your private practice.
Location: If you plan to provide private sessions to your clients, make sure the location you choose is accessible. It must be easier to access and come out of the parking. Moreover, the office you develop must be comfy for your clients because for giving counseling sessions, ambiance matters a lot. The room should have a soothing effect, making them open up to you about their guilt, traumas, pains, and sufferings.
Expense list: Create a list of all the possible expenses incurred in setting up and running your private practice. The expense list must include but is not limited to utility expenses, water, and snacks for the clients, staff for managing the appointments, rent, if any of the facility, etc.
Create a budget: Based on your private practice fee and what you want as take-home money, create your budget. Also, factor in the amount you will pay in taxes. You need to determine what you must earn to make your ends meet in the house and the office.
Clients you must see every week: Keep your expense sheet and the budget detail side by side. Estimate how many clients you must see in a week to cover the professional and personal expenses.
Consult with the experts in this field: Starting a practice requires funneling in a lot of resources—time, money, emotions, etc. You might be investing everything you have been saving for years. Therefore, there is no margin for making any mistakes. When you make a plan, don’t hesitate to discuss it with other professionals in the field to improve your business plan.
- Build your website
According to a survey, 81% of the shoppers look online before buying. Therefore, having a website to showcase your services is an important aspect of your private practice. Having a fully optimized (Search Engine Optimized) website that people can easily find is an ideal way to connect with your potential clients. You must ask for the services of a professional website developer to design a website that displays what you can do for your clients and why you are the right choice.
- Understand the legal requirements of starting a private practice
Every state has dissimilar legal requirements for starting a business. So, consult a business lawyer well-versed in matters governing business startups in your state. You must be aware of the state and zonal laws that can impede your practice. Also, enquire about the need to have a license for starting a counseling business. At the same time, you must know about professional liability insurance and malpractice.
- Decide about hiring help for your business
Having an administrator can be helpful for your business. They can manage appointments, streamline your work, bring more clients by answering inquiries, tracking down payments, etc. But simultaneously, it might be an out-of-pocket expense at the start of your business. Alternatively, you can pay your administrator a portion of your income through every appointment. They may be more eager to bring more clients to earn more. However, you have to make this decision carefully, ensuring it is administratively and financially beneficial for your new private practice.
Conclusion
Starting a private practice in counseling is essentially starting a new business. Therefore, its requirements resemble those of any other business. It needs vision, budget, financial management, dedication, etc., to stay afloat. Starting a business becomes easier when you know what you must do to make it successful. The checklist above provides you with the essential road map needed for starting your business.