0.4 The Business of Therapy

As an RSW, you enjoy counselling and feel a calling for working with clients. As you explore the idea of your own private practice, prepare yourself for a shift in how some people perceive your work.

The social work profession is associated with social justice and helping marginalized individuals. As you venture into private practice, you may be perceived by acquaintances to have shifted your social justice values to looking to make a profit of those who are vulnerable. Share knowledge to dispel hurtful misconceptions.  Explain to these acquaintances what drew you to become an RSW in the first place, and how you are committed to delivering the same compassionate services as you did before you entered into private practice.

Be prepared for some clients in the 21^st century to act like shoppers scanning the aisles while checking their mobile phones for better deals. There are many educated consumers who are experienced in finding and purchasing what they want – including professional services! Be prepared for prospective clients who want to barter for your services or who ask you to reduce your fee. Reflect on your own level of preparedness to charge for your services and make a policy on how to handle client requests.  You may be firm on your fees or be willing to offer services on a sliding scale.  If you are new to private practice, it can be uncomfortable and even discouraging to have to affirm your values to acquaintances or demonstrate the benefits of counselling to clients.  Take some time to read up on these challenges and think about how you will address them if they come up.