Mental Health Clinics . Many social workers and psychologists work in mental health clinics, where their work can be remarkably varied. Thus, they may work with substance abusers, with the chronically mentally ill, children and families at risk for abuse, adolescents involved with the criminal justice system, women who have experienced physical or sexual assault and so forth. Many students develop special interests in serving particular client groups and seek internships that will allow them to develop their skills with these particular problems and individuals. Private Practice .
Private practice seems to remain the ideal for many students seeking training as therapists.
Students should be warned, however, that changes in the health care system make this career route increasingly difficult. Insurance companies limit the number of visits a client is covered for and the cost of private therapy may be prohibitive for many. Many therapists develop part-time practices, in addition to their work in other settings. When applying to graduate school, it is helpful if you know which special population with whom you'd like to work. That way, you can choose a program that best provides the training you want and the graduate schools knows they are selecting a student who will fit well into their program.