Can you Work in Private Practice as a (young) Early Career Therapist?

FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling:
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I remember when I started grad school I felt completely selfconscious that I was one of the youngest students in my cohort. I was 21 years old, straight outta college, and I doubted that I could help people at that age, let alone thrive in private practice. By the time I got my degree at age 25 I dove headfirst into private practice. Is it possible to do this? In today’s video, I walk you through some important tools to consider before getting started in private practice if you are a young therapist.

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This video is geared for therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field.

Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.

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This video is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.

Here are some tools to help set you up for success if you are a young therapist in private practice:

1. Face your fears. Chances are, any concern you have about being too young lives primarily in your head. Write out your fears about being in private practice given your age and experience level. Do a little bit of CBT to challenge any thought distortions you notice. You may be helped by reaching out to some trusted friends or colleagues to help you work through this.

2. Fake it til you make it. This tip is everything. If you’re scared you’re too young to start private practice, then do private practice scared. Even though I was freaking out initially, within a couple of months I forgot that my age had even been a concern of mine. If you allow this fear to hold you back from getting started, then once you’re older there will just be some new fear taking it’s place to hold you back.

3. Own who you are. In grad school I tried dressing older than my age. I wore high heels every day with skirts and professional slacks, and that’s definitely not who I am. Today, I dress cleanly and I am attentive to my appearance, but I’m dressed like 32yearold Marie headed to work. If you try to dress like you’re older, you’ll look like you’re trying to dress like you’re older. Being yourself will help potential clients feel more comfortable with you.

4. Find a support network. This applies to all of us in private practice. But if you are surrounded with people telling you that you’re too young or who seem to question your authority, move on. Find people who value your unique point of view and surround yourself with them.

5. Embrace your edge. As a young person, you have an edge. For me, I grew up surrounded by technology. When I was 25 I joined a group practice where over half the therapists practicing there were over 60 years old. There was a wealth of knowledge there for me to learn from clinically, but I also had so much to offer the group things like steering them away from mailers and moving towards the use of email and social media. Things that I took for granted turned out to be huge assets.

If you want to get started in private practice, don’t let your age or experience hold you back. Find the support you need and make it happen. What better time than now??