Today, I’m answering my most asked question as a clinical psychologist in private practice: “how many therapy clients do you see per day/week?”
This topic is very nuanced and will vary significantly depending on which psychologist you talk to, so I chat about my own personal experiences here. Not all psychologists provide therapy and if they do, it’s likely they’re also engaged in other professional duties as well (e.g., evaluation and assessment; consultation, etc). The number of clients we see depends on where we work, too. Sometimes we don't have a choice if we work at a hospital or community mental health center. However, I've found that private practice affords me a little more flexibility to see less clients so I can focus on each client with more emphasis.
The types of clients within our caseload depend on our training. Ethically, we should only treat diagnoses or presenting concerns that we have relevant training in. However, there are more factors to consider when determining your caseload. The client’s best interest is (always) important to consider AND, it’s helpful for you to imagine your perfect private practice day to avoid burnout and tension.
Here are a few things to consider, in addition to your training and expertise:
- quota requirements from your supervisor
- noting the presenting concerns that you feel comfortable treating
- using modalities that you’re well-versed in (and enjoy)
- times of the day when you feel the most “on” and attentive
- other daily professional duties or requirements
- amount of different types of clients you want to see (e.g., 5 trauma clients, 5 anxiety clients, etc)
Disclaimer: every clinical psychologist has different goals for how many clients they see and different requirements based on where we work. This is not intended to be a replacement for consultation or professional advice. Please consult your supervisor or clinical consultant for professional advice on your unique situation. This is also not a replacement for therapy and does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding your unique mental health needs.
