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I’ve worked in the hospital (med floor with my BSW and on psych unit/addiction unit/EC post Masters degree; then to K-12 public education) I too am a LCSW and recently retired (July 24) from the schools. I have supplemented my income from the schools by seeing clients at a local mental health clinic. I couldn’t appreciate the 1:1 psychotherapy milieu and was always happier working in a TEAM running around constantly. If you’re still craving the inpatient and residential feel you might need to go back to that. I’m 64 and have been a social worker for 42 years. I am excited to get back into seeing minimal clients per week on a part time basis. I can’t go back to the hustle of the hospital or residential or schools.
Think about working for the schools too! It’s not a bad way to go if you like the hustle and bustle. Summers and holidays off, pension and insurance upon retirement, etc. I got into the schools at the age of 40, so somewhat late in the game. I left the schools making 105K, which isn’t bad for a swkr. I wish you the best of luck!
I diverted my attention and never answered your question, i apologize. My impression is, from swkrs in the district who also work private practice, that those expectations are ridiculous. You are not a salary person, right? Nobody wants to be pressured to take on a ton of clients, nothing good can come from that for neither me nor the client. Therapy should not mimic assembly line practices. We don’t work on commission either. Ugh!
Can you push back? There’s so many jobs out there are in the mental field, are you comfortable reminding them that this type of job is considered’ contractual’, meaning flexible hours and you make your own hours?
I have been working hybrid/fully remote private practice for almost 5 years now and go through periods of time that I wonder if it is sustainable. Sometimes I believe it has to do with the specific client caseload at the time.
I also worked inpatient residential at one time and have always longed for that kind of "hustle".
I guess ultimately it depends on what makes you feel the most fulfilled so that you are providing care based on how you work best.
As an LCSW with lots of experience working in psychiatric hospitals, out patient clinics, and private practice (30 yrs) I can totally relate!
I found "agency based" out patient work (Therapist role) with highly acute clients, to be "very stressful" for lots of reasons: The time allocated for documentation (EMR) was insufficient, especially for high acuity clients, including children, adolescence and families. I found myself working unpaid overtime to properly document (aka " pillow notes"). I found myself at home doing notes while I should've been spending with my family or sleeping! No control over caseload left me feeling overwhelmed and frustrated! The clients weren't screened to determine if outpatient work is a the appropriate level of care. Infrequent clinical supervision (once a month) not enough administrative support...etc. The admin / front desk employees didn't help with anything besides answering the Clinic's phone and letting you know your clients have arrived. No help with anything else!
I like private practice! It's much more empowering for me! Even though it's scary, especially financially at first, you can choose who you work with, whether or not you accept insurance versus private pay. I eventually chose to avoid billing insurance. I gave the clients an invoice with diagnostic and service codes, which they submitted to their insurance companies. It works best for me. The clients report mixed results. It takes a long time for them to get reimbursed, just like it takes a long time for Insurance to pay for me for my good work which I've already provided!
I also like doing remote work. Avoiding a long commutes, office expenses...etc
Beyond the walls of agency outpatient work, the sun shines a little brighter! With that said, it's not as "exciting" and sometimes "horrifying" as inpatient units and or residential settings can be.
Are you addicted to the high excitement and drama of impatient/residential work ? Or perhaps you miss the "team work" and collegial nature of inpatient and residential? My inpatient colleagues were like family!
With all of that said, drilling down and specifically defining what's not working for you and why, could be a good move! Especially prior to "jumping ship!"