Welcome to another episode of The Colleague Down the Hall Podcast! In today's episode, I’m diving into a pivotal decision that many therapists face: should you start your own solo private practice, or is joining a group practice the better path? Each option offers distinct benefits and challenges that can greatly impact your career satisfaction and personal life. We’ll explore the pros and cons of both paths, providing examples and steps to guide your decision-making process. Starting with solo private practice, we'll discuss the allure of independence, clinical autonomy, flexibility, and financial potential. We'll also cover the challenges of administrative load, isolation, and uncertain income. On the flip side, joining a group practice offers a built-in community, shared resources, and a collaborative environment, but comes with its own set of drawbacks like less autonomy and revenue splitting. 

"Solo practices often highlight the independence to make decisions and the responsibility of managing the way your practice functions. Group practices can provide a built-in support system and admin support which can ease the burden of day-to-day operations. Reflect on your personal and professional goals, perhaps by writing them down or discussing them with a mentor. As you navigate this decision, think about how each model aligns with your values, career aspirations, and lifestyle needs, and seek advice from mentors or trusted colleagues to help clarify your path. And remember, this choice doesn’t have to be permanent. Many solo practitioners started out with a group practice before deciding they wanted to go out on their own."

In this episode, I delve into solo private practice vs joining a group in these areas:

***Understanding The Nuances Of Solo Practice Vs Group

***Financial Differences

***Flexibility With the Work Experience Itself, i.e. Schedule, Time Off, etc

***Decisions Around Client Populations You Work Best With

***How Policies and Procedures Are Handled

***Type of Support Around Clinical Issues and Decision-making

***Administrative Tasks and How They Are Managed

Connect with Jeanene:

*Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook

*Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/

*Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt

*Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/