Establishing a successful private practice

To help mental health nurses, nurses, nurse practitioners or midwives with an interest in mental health or family work to establish their own private practice, the College offers information and support for various stages of planning, starting, or growing a successful business.

• Members can join the Nurses in Private Practice group (NIPP), a specialty group within the Psychotherapy SIG (PsySIG) with networking and education events
• Take short courses to further develop trauma-informed psychotherapy skills

Provision of Clinical Supervision

Providing Clinical Supervision from a Private Practice is a growing area. You can provide Clinical Supervision only or combine it with the provision of other services such as psychotherapy and consultancy.

Some employers will subsidise some staff to attend Clinical Supervision, but many clinicians who value Clinical Supervision will pay for it themselves and claim it on their tax.

You will need to apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) and attend to some practicalities. Click on the How to Start a Private Practice Guide link below for further information.

In addition:

• Join the Clinical Supervision SIG
• Join the Australian Clinical Supervision Association (ACSA) where you will find additional resources and a Clinical Supervisor Database where you can promote your services.
• Ensure you have undertaken quality Clinical Supervision training, that you participate in ongoing professional development in Clinical Supervision and have regular supervision of supervision.
• Practice according to the Position Statement: Clinical Supervision for Nurses & Midwives and the ACSA Code of Ethics
• Ensure your Professional Indemnity Insurance covers you in Private Practice

Many members of the College have successfully established Private Practices, and there is growing interest in this area.