MSW Students in Private Practice

Abstract

The increasing number of MSW students engaged in private psychotherapy practice concurrent with their graduate studies has received little attention in literature on social work education. This article examines the educational, ethical, and legal dilemmas effected by this trend, and describes the policy developed at the University of Denver to address these problems. More broadly, it argues that schools of social work in general have a legitimate interest in adopting policies to prohibit or discourage MSW students from conducting private practice.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John Kayser

The authors thank Pam Pieris, Neysa Folmer, and members of the Faculty Writing Seminar at the Graduate School of Social Work for their assistance. We also thank Amos Martinez, Administrator, Colorado Mental Health Grievance Board, for his thoughtful review and comments. This article is based on a paper presented at the Council on Social Work Education’s Annual Program Meeting, February 1996, in Washington, DC.