The Career Path of a Private Consultant Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists may employ a variety of methods of psychotherapy and medical to treat mental disorders. They may also employ brain imaging techniques and blood testing.

Research suggests that female psychiatrists are less likely to rise up the ranks. While flexible arrangements in recent years have improved part-time work and training options however, the ratio of male to female consultants is still far from 50:50.

Being Licensed

The career path for psychiatrists can be very different depending on the individual and subspecialty. Most psychiatrists begin their careers as general doctors and then gain experience in various areas before becoming fully certified. They then focus on psychiatry. Some of them are employed by hospitals and other community mental health facilities while others are working on their own as private consultants.

It may take a long time to become a licensed psychiatrist dependent on the area you practice in. As a general rule you will need to complete approximately 2,000 hours of supervised clinical time during your internship and an equivalent amount during your postdoctoral fellowship to satisfy the requirements of your state for licensure. These hours should be focused on treating a variety of conditions and are often complemented by additional training.

After you have completed your training and passing the exam, you will be rewarded with the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CC(S)T). Afterwards, you may opt to become a consultant psychiatrist or stay unaffiliated with an institution. This is an option that works well for some psychiatrists since it allows them more control over the number of patients they see, allowing them to treat patients according to their own needs rather than having to adhere to the budget restrictions of an institution or government.

Psychiatrists also have the opportunity to jobs outside of the hospital environment in clinics or private consulting rooms and even in prisons and schools. They may also opt to engage in advocacy or medico-legal work or teach, or conduct research within their chosen field.

Private psychiatrists will manage their own business affairs and manage their own practices. This could include hiring staff as well as establishing a business structure that will affect taxes, insurance credentials, advertising, etc. A limited liability company (LLC) is a popular choice amongst private practitioners as it helps reduce personal liability as well as allow the therapist to retain ownership of their income and assets.

Another benefit of having in a private practice is that it permits psychiatrists to offer pro bono sessions. This is a useful marketing strategy, especially when starting out and helps to attract potential clients. Additionally, it can be beneficial to offer free workshops and events, since this is an excellent way to spread the word about your practice.

Building Your Practice

Psychiatrists in private practice need to be proficient in business matters. They need to know