Social workers who chose to take the path of private practice chose a unique career as they are practicing in a different setting rather than working in an agency, hospital, clinic etc.; they are working individually or providing services under someone else’s practice. Private practice can be defined as “the process by which those social workers who practice independently of traditional agency settings apply the social work values, knowledge, and skill acquired from social work education and experience in exchange for agreed on fees or payments”(Green, Baskind, Mustian, Reed, & Taylor, 2007, pg. 152). According to Wallfish, Barnett, and Zimmerman, people are attracted to private practice because of their strong interest in providing psychotherapy or other mental health assessment and treatments. They do not enter in order to own a business (2017).
Understanding what private practice is all about including the challenges and rewards and the nature of the career is important in helping one make an informed decision rather private practice is suitable for him. Since private practice is not a fit for everyone, one must take into consideration the aspects that are involved such as one’s feelings towards independence, comfort in running a business, and tolerance for risk, need for control, and
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About two- thirds of the students planned at some point in their career to have a private practice. More than half the students planned to enter private practice within 10 years of graduating, and 25% expected to open a private practice within five years after graduating (Butler, 1992). According to the National Association for Social Workers (NASW), 18% of members are engaged in full-time private practice, and an additional 23% who work in agencies are also engaged in private practice on a part-time basis (D’aprix, Dunlap, Richard, & Edward,