This episode is a conversation with Suzanne Doorakkers Sprague, a social worker with a large and thriving private practice in Geelong, where she employs 8 staff in several locations.
Her road to social work was a long one- coming via nursing and psychology. She has also been a counsellor at Alzheimers Australia, as well as working in rehabilitation and in social inclusion services for the elderly. Having lived in Geelong most of her adult life, Suzanne has deep roots in the town.
In a wide ranging interview Suzanne discusses the pleasures, challenges and dilemmas of setting up a practice and a business including; marketing, promotion, networking, setting fees, and handling social media. We discuss the anti business culture that exists in some sections of the social work profession, and how that is now changing.
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Great interview! I too found early on in my hospital career that there was little time for therapeutic work with clients in an on going way. I was a pseudo discharge planner.
Hi Vittorio, likewise, I agree that there are plentiful challenges and dilemmas in setting up a practice! Because of my diversified career pathway and attainment of MSW, I am now at the commencement stage of a new career in private practice. In my experience I have found much private practice oriented PD available through the AASW online, together with endorsed courses such as accredited clinical supervisor. There is indeed much change.