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When embarking on a private practice venture, either at Carolina Counseling Services (CCS) or independently, setting your schedule can seem overwhelming. There are key elements you should consider in order to create a sustainable and balanced schedule that works for both you and your clients.

Here are a few tips to guide you through the process:

1. Define Your Availability

The first thing you’ll want to consider is your personal availability. Take into account your current commitments, like family obligations or other work duties, when deciding the earliest and latest times you are willing to work. Think about what days of the week you’d prefer to see clients, and whether or not you’re open to offering evening sessions. These boundaries will form the foundation of your schedule, so make sure it aligns with your lifestyle.

2. Understand Your Clientele

The type of clients you serve plays a huge role in shaping your schedule. If you’re working with children, consider offering after-school or evening hours to accommodate their availability. For adult clients, it’s important to assess whether your clientele can see you during typical work hours, or if some may prefer evening sessions. While you don’t want to bend too much to fit others’ needs, offering flexibility can improve client retention without compromising your work-life balance.

3. Sustainability for the Long Haul

When crafting your schedule, ask yourself, “Can I maintain this in the long run?” Be realistic about what you can handle. A schedule might work today, but will it still work in two years? Three years? Or even the next season? Long-term planning is important, your clients will expect consistent availability. Avoid overcommitting yourself, this can lead to burnout or the need to make adjustments down the road that you may not be happy with.

4. Balance Income with Your Schedule

At CCS, clinicians have the autonomy to set their schedule while also managing their income. It’s important to figure out how many clients you’ll need to see each week to meet your financial goals. Review your reimbursement rates to help determine this, but make sure you don’t overload your schedule in the pursuit of income. Your ideal schedule should balance both financial stability and manageable client numbers. You are one person!

5. Be Flexible, But Guard Your Time

As time passes, your schedule may need to shift. Whether you want to switch late nights from Monday to Wednesday or adjust hours based on personal obligations, maintaining flexibility is imperative. However, make sure you’re not compromising your personal time or well-being. If family or personal life is being impacted by your schedule, it’s time to reassess. At CCS, we encourage clinicians to prioritize their well-being, because taking care of yourself is essential in order to provide the best care to your clients.

To sum it up, finding the right schedule involves balancing your availability, your client’s needs, financial goals, and long-term sustainability. Be sure to revisit and adjust your schedule as needed to ensure both you and your clients can thrive in a healthy, supportive environment.