As social workers, advocating for our clients is in many ways as natural as breathing.  Of course, the process of advocating for our clients is going to look and feel differently depending on whether we are a solo practitioner, part of a group or working at an agency.  

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When it comes to advocacy, boundaries, or as I like to call them: standards, are vital.  Only you can set these in private practice.  Only you know how far you are comfortable going or stepping out for a client.  Typically, in private practice, less is more.  Letter writing can take the place of showing up in support in a courtroom.  Making a call to another provider and handing the phone to your client to talk with them can take the place of trying to get something done for your client and running headlong into a HIPAA-protected roadblock in the process. 

 

PRO TIP: Less is usually more and gets more done.

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In the following video, I share some insights into some common types of advocacy that you may run into in private practice.  This list is by no means exhaustive, and, no doubt, you will encounter a wide variety of opportunities and ways of advocating for your clients.  This is simply intended to give some larger context to this important topic.  

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I am also including redacted copies of some of the letters I have written on behalf of my clients over the years.  

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