Finishing a graduate program can feel overwhelming when you start to consider your next steps. As a provisionally licensed counselor, you have many options, like private practice, community mental health (CMH), inpatient settings, and more.
For me, the plan had always been CMH.
I had spent six years working in community mental health as a case manager, so staying there and moving into a therapist role after graduation seemed logical. The pay would be steady, clients would be available, and I was already familiar with the organization and how things worked. On paper, it sounded perfect.
As graduation approached, I began to think more deeply about what I wanted my career as a therapist to look like. My ultimate goal was always private practice, but I pictured that happening later. I planned to graduate, work in CMH, get fully licensed, and then move into private practice.
Apparently, life had a different timeline in mind.
A few months before graduation, I received an email from someone at a private practice asking if I would be interested in joining the practice once I graduated.
I had a phone call, an interview, an offer, and many, many conversations with my husband about the right move.
I was excited. I was terrified. I was confused. And, most of all, I was anxious about making the “right” choice.
What if I don’t get enough clients?
What if I leave the security of CMH and regret it?
Am I really ready to go into private practice right out of graduate school?
At the same time, another part of me kept thinking: Isn’t this what I’ve wanted?
On one hand, CMH offered guaranteed pay, a source of client referrals, structure, and a system that I was familiar with, which was very appealing. On the other hand, private practice offered flexibility, which was important to me as a parent, the opportunity to grow and find my niche, more control over my schedule, and the chance to start becoming the therapist I pictured myself being.
Even with all the benefits of private practice, there were risks. Clients wouldn’t just show up on their own. My income would depend on how many clients I saw each week so it could change a lot. The hardest part for me was putting myself out there. The thought of marketing myself on social media, networking, and explaining to others why I’d be a good therapist or a good fit for potential clients was really intimidating.
I want to acknowledge how fortunate I am even to have these options. Guaranteed income wasn’t the main factor in my decision, but I know not everyone has that flexibility. Choosing a stable income can be just as rewarding.
In the end, I chose private practice. It was where I saw myself in the future, and it felt right for me.
Now, almost two months into private practice, it has been challenging at times, but ultimately very rewarding. My supervisor is excellent and so knowledgeable; the team I am a part of is the absolute best and amazing humans. I have time each day right now to continue reading, listening to podcasts, and learning about each client I have.
The hardest part has been the marketing. I am not the most active on social media or diligent about posting (probably once or twice a year on my personal page), so suddenly having to use these platforms to make referral posts and market myself can feel like a lot to handle. There is something incredibly uncomfortable about going from graduate student to suddenly having to tell strangers, “Hey, I’m a therapist, and here’s why you should send clients to me.” This is definitely something I’m still getting used to.
If my choice had been CMH, I would have been able to build my caseload faster, get direct hours more quickly, and have a more stable income. I acknowledge these real advantages and still do think about what I gave up by going into private practice.
If you’re about to graduate and wondering what the “right” choice is, I don’t think there’s only one answer. I believe that both CMH and private practice help anyone grow as a therapist, just in their different ways. For myself, it boiled down to my own values of what I wanted out of my day-to-day in my career, what my family needed, and what felt right to get me where I see myself in 5 years.
Since I’ve only been doing this for two months, I’m definitely not an expert, and I’m not writing this as someone who has it all figured out. I’m far from that.
I’m still figuring out how to market myself, working on my bio to attract clients, building my caseload, and finding ways to keep learning things that will help my clients every day.
After grad school, the goal isn’t to find the one “right” path. It’s about choosing what fits you now and remembering that we’re always growing and changing, so new paths will open up along the way.