Some RSWs prefer a separate office environment to working out of their home, while others simply cannot accommodate a private practice in their home. If you are still deciding on which is the best choice for you, consider these advantages to renting office space:
- access to onsite security personnel daily social interactions with other tenants
- proximity to other medical and paramedical practitioners
- professional image of your private practice
- daily commute to ease the transition between work and home life
- seasonal maintenance is taken care of (i.e. sidewalks and parking lots are cleared in the winter)
Some of the disadvantages include:
- higher monthly fixed costs for rent or a lease
- travel time between home and office
- higher business insurance costs
If you want to be able to see clients in a professional office setting but wish to avoid the monthly overhead, you may want to consider renting a therapy room on a session-by-session basis .Clinics or other private practices in your area might have rooms to rent by the hour. Check for the availability of room rentals in:
- local classifieds
- clinics
- association websites and newsletters
- paramedical networks