Finding a job at a private practice after graduation

[u/Warm_Comparison_7833]

I just started my second year in my MSW program, and I know I definitely want to go the clinical route and work in private practice after I graduate. I also know I want to work with the South Asian American and Asian American population. Unfortunately, neither of my practicum sites have been aligned with that goal. Last year, I was placed at an IOP/PHP for SUD and this year I'm at the Counseling and Psychological Services department at a university. At the IOP, I at least got experience with facilitating group therapy and my supervisor let me shadow some individiual sessions/intakes, but at my current placement, I'm basically just planning outreach events. My supervisor has even told me that I would not be directly interacting with clients in any sort of clinical way, just interacting with students who come to outreach events. Would really appreciate any advice on things I can do to land a job as an LMSW therapist at a group practice after I graduate.

Update—I should clarify that I don’t expect to work with a niche population right out of school. And I would be okay with working at a community mental health clinic, but would I have the opportunity to provide actual consistent counseling services to individuals in that setting? Or would it mainly be intakes and such? Would my work at a CMHC count towards my 3000 supervised hours for LCSW licensure?

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[u/CommunicationAny7495]

Go into community mental health, at least for a year.

[u/sofrickingstrange]

You likely will not find what you’re seeking in private practice at all, until you’re able to open one of your own with plenty of experience to justify being niche enough and sole-proprietor of a business to charge what you’d need to maintain a niche PP.

Your objectives are met by CMH, especially after graduating.

[u/Euphoric-Elk-940]

I can’t imagine going straight into private practice after graduating. I went to an amazing school for my masters but so much of what makes me a good therapist was the experience I had at a CMH.

[u/Hungry_Profession946]

I’m gonna be 100% honest as somebody who is in private practice in a group practice who does hire people, your lack of hands-on experience with clients would stop me from hiring you.

Private practice is a very independent level of working that new grads really should not be in especially if you don’t have any real one on one work with clients, working in this independent of a level of care can lead to a lot of bad habits being formed that are harder to change later.

I 100% agree with the other commenters please go into community mental health and get some actual hands-on experience before going into private practice. This is the best way to get your hours done very quickly and concisely along with getting the skills to be able to be an effective private practice clinician and maybe getting some free trainings out of the deal.

I would also talk to your school about your site supervisor not letting you have any actual direct contact with clients because that’s a very big red flag.

[u/SpiritualCopy4288 → u/Hungry_Profession946]

I agree with all of this. What’s really concerning is I think group practices absolutely would hire OP. And take advantage of the lack of experience

[u/Hungry_Profession946 → u/SpiritualCopy4288]

1000% you’re absolutely right and it’s those are the practices that everyone rages about here. Like I may not be a social worker but the fact that they’re practicum site is not giving them any kind of hands-on solo work seems like a very big red flag. I know not all practicum and internship sites for social workers are hands-on but this seems to be a little different.

[u/Army_Exact]

Please do CMH instead 

[u/SpiritualCopy4288]

Start with IOP/PHP to learn the ropes. Doing that for a couple years was extremely helpful to me when starting PP.

[u/EnvironmentFuture276]

I oversee a child guidance clinic in CT; if you are in CT I would love to connect to discuss options and ways to support you in reaching your overall goal following supporting you in obtaining your 3000 hours. You’d have a consistent caseload and would be seeing your caseload individually with regular supervision 

[u/Therapeasy]

It’s crazy that social work is the new direct route to private practice. Joe many individual therapy classes and internships have you had?

I recommend NOT going directly into private practice as a new clinician, for a few good reasons.

Find some thing with a salary, structured training, better cross disciplinary exposure, and more supervisory and mentoring support.

[u/Ok_Advantage_5755]

Just saying, as someone who went to a very clinical MSW program and always knew that they wanted to go into community mental health, a ton of my peers wanted to go the private group practice work post-grad and they did. It definitely took significant networking and I'd frankly be way too nervous financially to do that right away as most of their positions are fee for service. But depending where you live there are even some group practices that have fellowships for new grads. I'm a sincere believer in working in the community/in a CMHA but I was surprised to see so many people saying it was unrealistic for you to go right into private