Working in a private therapy practice in Denver can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for LPCCs, LPCs, LMFTs, and MFTCs. It provides an opportunity to work one-on-one with clients, couples, and families to help them achieve their goals and improve their quality of life in different ways.
To help make sure your experience is as positive as possible and a good long-term fit, it’s important to find a private practice that meets your needs and is a good fit for you professionally. Here are some of the important qualities to look for when considering a private practice to work in:
- The practice should have a good reputation in the community. Find out if they’ve built local partnerships or have a strong referral network. Ask around to other therapists and mental health professionals to get an idea of how the practice is viewed. Additionally, look into the practice’s online presence, and see where they rank on a Google search. Are they visible and easy to find? A practice with visibility on search engines is likely investing a lot into the business, and they can likely help you fill your caseload quickly.
- Make sure the practice provides the types of services you’re comfortable providing and specialize in. Research the practice’s website and find out what services they offer, and if you need to be trained in any of them, like EMDR, trauma therapy, IFS, and more. Also, make sure the practice has the necessary resources available to support the services they offer. You might be doing a training right now, and you can ask them if they think they’ll be able to get clients who are looking for the type of therapy you offer.
- Look into the practice’s policies and procedures to make sure they align with your values, professional standards, and how you want to be employed. Some private practices will lock you into a salary as a W-2 employee, and others will have you control your income as a 1099 employee, depending on the state. Find out what paperwork is required and how often, and how the practice handles client records. Additionally, ask about any insurance they may accept, and what payment plans they offer. Most private practices that accept insurance pay a much lower rate than private-pay practices.
- Consider the atmosphere of the practice and see if it’s a place you can see yourself. Is it a professional environment that encourages collaboration and openness? Does it support a positive work-life balance and is it a place that clients would want to come to?
- Figure out the fee structure and payment options. This is very important. For example, a full-time therapist job at My Denver Therapy pays over $100,000 per year, but many private practices require double the hours for less pay. Find out how often you will be paid, what the payment options are, and if the business is run in a way that will get you your paychecks on time. Additionally, make sure the practice has a clear policy in place for missed appointments, late payments, and refunds.
By considering these qualities before taking a job in a private practice in Denver or another city, you can make sure the practice is a good fit and the right choice for you before you decide to make a change. With the right practice, you can build a successful career in private practice therapy that feels like a professional home for you for years to come..
