Caroline Given, LCSW.
1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?
In my practice, I primarily work with millennials who are looking to level up in their life either by working on their relationships, learning new ways to manage burnout and stress, or gaining clarity about their purpose or existential concerns. I enjoy working with people in high stress professions, entrepreneurs, creatives, digital nomads, and first time therapy seekers. I also specialize in ADHD management, particularly with adults who were diagnosed later in life.
2. Tell us about yourself.
I started a virtual private practice before COVID because I always knew that online services would be the future. Like many therapists, my passion for my job was inspired by my own mental health care journey. Having a powerful, transformative experience through therapy inspired me to learn as much as I could with the hope that I can provide that experience for others. My life's mission is to help my clients know that they're not alone in their suffering and that healing is possible.
3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.
It might be a cliche but I am so honored to work with all of my patients and I am deeply proud of all of them, it's too difficult to pick one. Overall, I actually find it's extra satisfying to work with a patient who initially felt skeptical or untrusting of the therapy process or maybe had a bad experience with a therapist. I love providing a corrective healing experience for them and getting to witness them realize that hope and change are possible for them.
4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?
Starting your own private practice involves creating your own database of referrals and resources. You might have some existing contacts from school or previous jobs but it's really on you to seek out and collect information that you'll need to help your clients such as a referral to a great psychiatrist or the name of an app to help them manage their symptoms. It can be a challenge to find that info out all on your own but it's often a necessary part of helping your patients!
5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\
The top 3 things I would suggest to someone who is new to private practice would be:
- My first tip when getting into the private practice space is to find a mentor that has a practice you'd like to emulate and ask a lot of questions.
- Secondly, network as much as possible with other therapists to learn from each other and to grow a referral network.
- Thirdly, try to gain clarity about what kind of client population niche you'd like to serve and shape your marketing efforts to cater to that population.