The Next Step
Jennifer Bingaman
I moved to Seattle about four months ago, a fresh master’s degree in my hand, ready to conquer the world of mental health and get started on my life’s calling.
Unfortunately, the working world had a lot of other ideas. The last time I posted here, I lamented how difficult it has been to find work that pays a living wage and provides the professional opportunities I believe I will need to succeed as a counselor. It was a tall order in this economy, with the profession in the state it’s in, and on a completely foreign landscape. I barely knew my way around my new city, much less the path to something as scary as going into private practice.
It soon became apparent that if I wanted the freedom to practice when I was able, collect a livable wage, and maintain my part-time job at The Gottman Institute (basically every couples counselor’s dream job), I would have to face facts. Private practice was the way to go.
So, since that time, I’ve shed a lot of nervous tears, had a few bouts of self-doubt, and opened a business checking account. I’ve gotten my business license, become verified by Psychology Today, and I’ve joined a group practice in downtown Seattle. Honestly, I don’t know how it all happened and how I managed to look down that intimidating pile of work and anxiety, but I did it. I’m opening my doors in January. It’s just one day a week, but it’s a start.
I’ve read the scary tales about the state of our profession, the practices shuttering their doors, and the colleagues too burned out to try to make it work anymore. Those stories scared me and I almost let them dictate the my career path. But I didn’t. I listened to my peers, my loved ones, and those who believe in me. I’m thankful I did that because when I look in the mirror today, I’m proud of what I have already accomplished, even though I haven’t seen a single client yet. I stayed true to myself and what I envision for my career development.
I want to jump in and change how we do things, how we organize as counselors, and how we choose to treat and work with clients from the inside out. I can’t do those things if I continue to sit on the sidelines and play it safe. I’m excited to get into the mess of this life we’re all living, trying to survive and thrive through our professional calling, and live to talk about it and be about it. I’m also looking forward to sharing this journey with all of you.
Jennifer Bingaman, M.A. LMHCA, is a counselor in private practice based in Seattle. She blogs about mental health and healthy living at The Pursuit of Sassiness.
Jennifer, great blog but don’t sweat it. though there are those who make private practice appear to be a mystical, scary and evil place, most of us do well. If you need help with documentation, ideas on starting a practice, getting on panels etc. please take a look on my website under com counseling review. There is an extended version of my chapter on starting a practice, sample documentation, links to insurance companies etc there and it is free (i know I didn’t have the means to pay for this when I started so I have always shared it).
Whether you stay in a group or go solo, good interpersonal skills and connecting with your clients will mean more than a million dollar ad campaign. You can and will do it! good luck!
Jennifer, thanks for sharing. As a doctoral student in a counseling psychology program it was intriguing to hear your decision making strategy of opening your own practice. It is apparent you have a passion and insight to helping people, and our broken system, “from the inside.” I can relate to your anxieties and I wonder how much you are being “tied down” by the “stable work” that Gottman offers? I’ve embarked on the journey of attaining a PhD so that I can do more, have a greater impact, be more influential… yet I’m afraid to let go of the security of the job I have now. I have to overcome this fear to accomplish what I really want out of life.
I wish you the best of luck and fortune as you embark on this new journey.
I am wondering how you are able to have a private practice if you are fresh out of school and therefore, I presume, do not have a state license. Good for you if you are able to do so in Washington. Best of luck.
I myself am feeling quite discouraged and frustrated at my career prospects. It seems as though my 60-credit hour M.A. in Counseling from a distinguished university is utterly worthless in my new state of Virginia. Is it worth anything anywhere, really? I cannot even get a Bachelor’s level job. What’s worse is my husband works for the Fed. so we’re always living by Army Bases -which avoid counselors like the plague. I hate to say it, but I wish I could go back and get my Master’s in social work. They sure got their foot in the door and were quite successful in having shut it behind them, right in we counselors’ faces.
Jennifer, Thank you for sharing about your worries and stresses. I am a new graduate student in counseling, and am already wondering where I will end up in the field. Right now, I believe I just need to “go with it.” God bless, Michele
Congrats on your decision Jennifer. Please feel free to contact me if you would like support on your new venture.