Deb Legge

Many private practitioners are uncomfortable with money matters. Setting fees, collecting co-pays, billing for no-shows, and raising fees can be huge sources of stress unless you are able to manage these realities of running your own business. One thing is certain – your clients will react less defensively about money issues, the more comfortable and confident you are in addressing those issues. If you are awkward and uncomfortable when asking for payment for services rendered, you will likely pass along the discomfort to your clients.

I see adults in my private practice. I can count on one hand, the number of times I’ve had to call our local Child Protective Services. Sometimes though, I hear stories that really make me wonder… I’m working with a 40-ish woman who is dealing with childhood sexual abuse issues that she just revealed 2 years ago. She is doing well, but recently she found out that her perpetrator is living out of state with family members – including 2 children. She doesn’t yet have contact information for him, but she is understandably very concerned about the safety of those children. While I believe she will warn the family once she can locate them, I was left wondering if I had a duty to warn should she decide not to do so.

Each year I have at least 2-3 students who want to start their Private Practice ASAP! They see that as the only option; a chance for freedom and success on their own. Many seasoned therapists shudder at the idea of a newly graduated student going into Private Practice “too soon”. I think about how I felt many (many) years ago, coming out of my masters program in Rehabilitation Counseling. I was one of those students – Private Practice was THE only option for me. You see it was a practical issue – I already had the mortgage, the kid, and the bills that could not possibly be taken care of by any entry-level agency salary available at that time. I knew my lofty goals meant that I had to work extra hard to learn my trade and get what I needed to be a good therapist, FAST! I did what I had to do – extra internships, reading, shadowing, volunteering, workshops, classes, specialized supervision, and meeting up with wonderful mentors along the way.

Is “counseling”, or “teaching” all you did last week?  Of course not. I’m CONFIDENT that you did things to enhance your practice of counseling or teaching; things that will help out your clients or students, or things that will make you even better for them in the future. My GUESS is that you did things to satisfy or better your home, family, relationships, and other obligations. You probably asked at least three other people in your life what you could do help out.

I see adults in my private practice. I can count on one hand, the number of times I’ve had to call our local Child Protective Services. Sometimes though, I hear stories that really make me wonder… I’m working with a 40-ish woman who is dealing with childhood sexual abuse issues that she just revealed 2 years ago. She is doing well, but recently she found out that her perpetrator is living out of state with family members – including 2 children. She doesn’t yet have contact information for him, but she is understandably very concerned about the safety of those children. While I believe she will warn the family once she can locate them, I was left wondering if I had a duty to warn should she decide not to do so.