A Guide for Therapists to Establish, Develop, and Grow Their Own Private Practice
The Best 2024 Guide to Launching a New Private Therapy Practice or Growing an Old One
It can be thrilling and scary to launch a private therapy practice and venture into a completely uncharted area of counseling and therapy. A lifetime desire for many counselors and therapists is to work in private practice.
But becoming a great therapist is only one aspect of creating and running a private therapy practice. It also involves being an excellent businessperson with a thorough grasp of the technical, administrative, ethical, legal, and financial facets of running a private practice for therapists.
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How to Open a Private Counseling Office
You’ve come to the correct site if you’ve been wondering how to launch a private therapy practice or how to become a private practice therapist. Before you get started, this Case Book Work Hub article will walk you through all you need to know.
Make sure to check our Case Book Work Hub Case Book Management Hub if you’re seeking for software to assist you manage your practice and clients.
Register for our Case Book Management Hub Software to see how our online client and case management solutions will assist you in staying organized.
Would you like to share feedback on how to start a private therapy practice? Are there any private practice therapist websites that have provided great value to you that we can include in this guide for other therapists and counselors to leverage? If so, contact the Case Book Work Hub Team.
How to Start Your Own Private Therapy Practice
We’ll look at how to become a private practice therapist first, before delving into all the specifics of opening your own therapy office. In order to work as a licensed private practice therapist or counselor in any of the 50 states, you must meet specific standards.
How then can you become a private practice therapist who can start a therapeutic private practice where you can add value?
It is crucial to get a degree from a counseling program accredited by the relevant organization in order to start a private therapy practice. The American Psychological Association (APA) or the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) will be your primary accreditation body if you are headquartered in the United States.
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Starting a Therapy Practice and Becoming a Private Practice Therapist
To become a licensed private practice therapist, you must pass one of the counseling examinations offered by your state, which include:
- National Counselor Examination (NCE)
- National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination (CRCE)
- Examination of Clinical Counselor Practice (ECCP)
Applicants must also complete between 2,000 and 3,000 hours of supervised experience in order to be eligible to apply for any of the therapist practice licenses listed above.
In addition, because state-level licenses for private therapeutic practices are granted instead of federal ones, each state has different standards for getting a license.
What is a private practice run by an unlicensed therapist?
Unregistered psychotherapist An unlicensed therapist runs a private practice. That could indicate a variety of things, but the primary distinction is that although the person has received training in delivering mental health services, they have not yet received a state-issued license.
Furthermore, the range of services that unlicensed therapists in private practice are able to offer is restricted. In the realm of mental health, it is often advised against opening an unlicensed private practice.
What Makes a Good Therapist?
There’s more to therapist practice and starting a private therapy practice than obtaining a license – you also need to be a good therapist. There are characteristics that add into what makes a good therapist, but any reputable and ethical private practice clinical therapist should be:
- An excellent listener
- Honest, skilled, and a strong communicator
- Open and trustworthy
- Clear when setting the goals and agenda with clients
- Non-judgmental and accepting
- Using flexible and adaptable approach in both individual and therapist group practice
- Optimistic
- Patient
- Using a variety of therapist tools and techniques
- Creating a safe space for healing
While these are just a few main characteristics of what makes a good therapist, they’re essential for any therapist and counselor that’s looking into starting a therapy practice.
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How to Start a Private Therapy Practice? | Tips for Starting Your Own Therapy Practice
If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own therapy practice but are not sure of how to start and how to grow your therapy practice, we’re here to help you understand everything this process entails.
While you may want to start setting up a private practice therapist business as soon as possible, we’ve covered some of the most important things you need to take into consideration before doing so.
- Therapist Practice Space
If you’re planning to meet clients in person, the first thing you’ll need for starting a therapy practice is a place to practice.
However, that’s not the only option. If you’re only starting out as a private practice clinical therapist, you may also want to utilize a more modern approach – at least until you figure out how to grow your therapy practice.
These days therapists and counselors are also practicing:
- Over the phone
- Virtually
- By subletting an office space only when they need it
- By using different online therapy tools
- Business License for Staring a Private Therapy Practice
When starting a therapy practice one of the requirements may be that you need to get a business license. This will vary based on your location and some cities may not even require this, but it is essential to check when figuring out how to start a therapy private practice.
You will also need to get “EIN” and “NPI” numbers for your business.
EIN is an “Employee Identification Number” that the IRS will use in association with your private therapy practice business. You will also need your EIN to open your business bank account.
While starting your own therapy practice comes with a lot of costs, you can get EIN for free by applying online.
NPI or “National Provider Identifier” is required for all healthcare providers as part of HIPAA requirements. NPI is a unique identifier used to electronically submit health care information.
You can apply to get the NPI free of charge through the NPPES system.
- Therapist Practice Income and Expenses
As you’re learning how to grow your therapy practice, you’ll quickly realize that keeping track of your income and expenses is essential.
In the beginning stages of starting a therapy practice you may consider doing it yourself by utilizing Excel or Google Spreadsheets.
However, over time when your private therapy practice grows, you may want to hire a bookkeeper or accountant to keep track of your income, expenses, taxes, and everything else that comes with being a private practice therapist.
As your therapy practice is growing, you’ll also want to consider using software to keep track of all your clients and cases. Case Book Work Hub has got you covered!
Made for therapists, counselors, and other mental health practitioners – our tool is a great solution that helps you stay on track.
See for yourself by utilizing the CBH Case Book Management Hub tool.
Do you have any questions about private practice therapist websites or private therapist cost? Do you have feedback on how to grow your therapy practice? If so, contact the Case Book Work Hub Team.
- The Cost of Starting Your Own Therapy Practice
With everything said, how much does starting a private therapy practice cost approximately?
- Private practice space for therapists prices
The average cost of renting a private practice therapist office space is around $2,500/month. However, if you already have a space of your own or you’re planning to provide your services virtually and over the phone, the cost can be as little as $0/per month.
- Opening your private practice therapist business – Getting a business license
The average cost of a business license in the USA is under $100, but the price will vary based on your location.
- Getting your EIN and NPI number
Obtaining your EIN and NPI number is super easy and quick. On top of that, both are also free. Cost: $0
- Bookkeeping and accounting
If you’re just starting a private therapy practice, you can utilize MS Excel or Google Spreadsheets to keep track of your income and expenses. If that’s the case, the cost will be $0.
However, if you’re not comfortable doing that and you decide to hire a bookkeeper and/or accountant will cost you anywhere between $75 and $500 per month depending on the location and services provided.
- Therapy website template and hosting
Therapy website template cost can go anywhere between $100 – $1,500. However, this is a one-time cost so you may want to consider investing into a good therapy website template.
The cost of website hosting goes between $15-$50 per month depending on the hosting provider.
Cost of Therapy Sessions and Types of Therapist Practice
After discussing the steps involved in launching a private therapy practice, let’s quickly review some of the most common forms of therapeutic practice.
We’ll also provide you with the typical cost of therapy sessions and the rates charged by therapists for each of these categories of therapist practices. It’s crucial to remember that the kind and length of therapy sessions will determine the cost of a therapist.
Private CBT Therapist – Average Therapy Session Cost
A private CBT therapist is a therapist that specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy practice. This is a common form of talking type psychotherapy that strives to reduce symptoms of various mental health conditions.
Private CBT therapist will most commonly be working with clients with the following conditions:
- Anxiety and Panic Disorders
- Depression
- Anger
- Pain
- Phobias
- PTSD
- OCD
CBT Therapist Toolbox
Every CBT therapist will also use one or more therapist tools to enhance the therapy.
Some of the essential cognitive behavioral therapy tools are:
- Relaxed breathing
- Journaling
- Identifying & challenging faulty thinking
- Muscle calming and relaxation
- Cognitive reconstruction
- Exposure & response prevention
- Interoceptive exposure
- DBT Therapist templates and worksheets
- Mindfulness, meditation, and mood apps for therapists to use with clients & different online therapy tools when appropriate
- Interactive therapy tools such as journaling
Depending on the client’s unique needs therapist may decide to use additional cognitive behavioral therapy tools.
Average duration of private CBT therapist session
Private CBT therapist will most commonly schedule a 45-50 min long session once per week.
What is the private CBT therapist’s average therapy session cost?
The average CBT therapy cost per session ranges from $100-200 (depending on the state).
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Private DBT Therapist – Average Therapy Session Cost
A private DBT therapist or counselor is one that specializes in Dialectal Behavior Therapy. It’s a type of talking, evidence-based psychotherapy that is designed to help people change ineffective patterns of behavior.
If you’re looking to start a career as a private DBT therapist, you will be helping clients to develop a more balanced way of thinking and behaviors.
Private DBT therapist most commonly treats the clients with the following conditions:
- ADHD
- Bipolar Disorder
- Eating Disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
- OCD
- PTSD
- Addictions
DBT Therapist Toolbox
DBT therapist toolbox will consist of individual one-on-one therapy while also utilizing therapist group practice.
Some of the essential DBT therapist tools and techniques are:
- Interactive therapy tools such as diary cards
- Chain analysis
- Social environment Interactions
- DBT Therapist Templates and Worksheets
- Mindfulness, meditation, and mood apps for therapists to use with clients
- Online therapy tools where appropriate
Average duration of private DBT therapist session
Private DBT therapist will most commonly schedule a 45-60 min long session once per week.
What is the private DBT therapist’s average therapy session cost?
The average DBT therapy cost per session ranges from $100-200 (depending on the state).
Do you have any questions about therapy cost per session or DBT private therapist cost described above? Click here to contact the Case Book Work Hub Team.
Occupational Therapy Private Practice – Average Therapy Session Cost
Occupational therapy private practice is a type of mental health care that helps people of all ages with physical, sensory, or cognitive problems.
Occupational therapy private practice supports clients in developing strategies that help with issues that interfere with their daily life and everyday activities in society.
If you’re considering starting your own occupational therapy practice, you’ll be helping people with:
- Birth Injuries and/or Defects
- Learning Problems
- Sensory Processing Disorders
- Autism
- Mental Health and/or Behavioral Problems
- Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
- Different Types of Orthopedic Injuries
There are some occupational therapy private practice practitioners that specialize in working with kids. Pediatric occupational therapy private practice typically focuses on therapy that helps children gain independence while helping with the improvement of motor and sensory motor skills.
Occupational Therapist Toolbox
Occupational therapist tools will most commonly consist of:
- Different games, activities, and other interactive therapy tools
- Adapted equipment such as a walking stick, walking frame, or wheelchair
- Adapted utensils and tools
- Mindfulness, meditation, and mood apps for therapists to use with clients
- Online therapy tools where appropriate
- Therapist templates and worksheets
Average duration of occupational therapist session
Duration will vary based on each individual’s needs. Private practice speech therapy sessions are most commonly 30 minutes long, while the typical occupational therapy session is 60 minutes long.
What is the average therapist price in occupational therapy private practice?
The average therapist prices in occupational therapy vary based on the individual’s needs and type of therapy.
Average private practice speech therapy rates per session range: $100-$300 per hour
Average occupational therapy private practice fees: $140-$200 per hour
See Also: How Do Health Care Workers Use Therapy Billing Codes?
Are you looking for occupational therapy practice near me or have experience with occupational therapy private practice? Do you have any questions about pediatric occupational therapy private practice in general? Click here to contact the Case Book Work Hub Team.
What Is the Average Hourly Rate for a Therapist in Private Practice?
The average annual compensation for a private practice therapist in the US is $91,966.
You have probably been wondering what the typical income for a private practice therapist is while researching therapist costs and the cost of therapy sessions. As of January of this year, the average annual compensation for a private practice therapist in the United States is $91,966, according to ZipRecruiter.For the answers to the following questions, see the section below: Which kind of therapist often receives the highest hourly rate?
What is the typical hourly fee for a therapist? With the aforementioned yearly pay, the average hourly cost for a therapist is $44.21. It’s crucial to remember that location, specialization, and experience all affect a private practice therapist’s pay and fees.
We discovered that certain positions as private practice therapists have higher hourly rates, which raises the private practice therapist compensation as a whole.
Private Therapist Cost & Therapist Rates in the USA
Which kind of therapist has the highest hourly rate on average?
The fields with the greatest therapy rates and, consequently, the highest average salaries for private practice therapists are occupational therapy and pediatric occupational therapy.
As previously indicated, location also affects therapist rates generally and hourly prices. Therapists and counselors with offices in California and New York typically charge the highest hourly rates.
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Final Thoughts | How to Work as a Private Therapist
After acquiring all the necessary knowledge to launch your own private therapy business, the following step is to decide if you’re prepared to take the plunge.
Even if starting a new business is full of dangers, the payoff of transforming clients’ lives for the better could make the risks worthwhile.
A lifetime of learning and a commitment to serving those in need are what define a good therapist and, ultimately, a great therapeutic practice. If you’re coming from a humble and unselfish place and that’s what you set out to accomplish, the fulfillment you’ll receive will help you deal with all the challenges that come with managing a private practice.
Do you want to start your therapy practice off strong and make it successful?
Start using the Client and Case Book Management Hub Online System today to discover how we can improve the way you oversee your employees and clients.
I wish you luck as you pursue your career as a private practice therapist.