Our Private Practice Party will have three speakers, one of whom is is Karen Hixson, PHD, LPC. Karen is a well-known clinician and activist in our community. She completed her PhD thesis on Understanding Power in the Therapeutic Relationship, and is a founder of Empathy Riot, which is described as a group that organizes at the intersections of mental health and injustice to challenge systems of oppression.  I’m so happy she is joining us for the party.

Meet Karen:

A. Why did you start a private practice? 

I knew I could not build a sustainable career in agency work and I wanted to provide my community with some other options for self-pay counseling on their own terms with a counselor who was closer to their own community.

B. What do you like about having one? 

I like the flexibility and creativity I'm able to have with owning my own business. It's made it easier to diversify my activities in order to stay inspired in the work. 

C. Essentials that you've hired out, essentials that you've determined are better to DIY: 

I don't mind doing my own scheduling and billing but I really think having an awesome money/tax person to support your business is KEY to thriving and growing! 

D. Advice you'd give to others starting out:

People often discouraged me when I was providing low sliding scale counseling early on. But I believe we all have to go through our own process in regards to how you deal with money and how that pertains to your own class background. Each of us has a journey and it's wonderful to get advice, but you also just have to move through your own developmental challenges when starting a private practice. 

I would say, don't lead with fear, scarcity, or competition. There are plenty of clients who need your services. Focus on doing the kind of work you want to do and finding the clients that will appreciate that work. Do excellent work!  Find good mentors, supervisors, consultants, and peers to support you doing your best work.

Any questions for Karen? Feel free to comment below.