Why I chose to be a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Associate with JM Mental Health

19 December 2022

I was interested in a move into private practice in child psychiatry, so I contacted the Private and Independent Practice group at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and they put me in touch with Julia. As she had started her own private practice from scratch, she was the ideal person to go to. We got talking and I asked her about what to do, where to go next and so on. She was very supportive and helpful, giving her own time generously. She knew what it was like, making the first steps. Later on, she offered me a job at her practice, which I was very grateful for.

Private practice is different in that it gives you enough time to do your job in the way you believe it needs to be done.

For me, the clinical work is the most important – to see a patient, to assess them and treat them, if they need treatment.

In order to do things right, you need to have enough time. If you don’t, you can’t accomplish what you want and that puts pressure on you. Being under pressure for a long time doesn’t have a good effect – in terms of how you feel, how you manage your work and how long you can last.

What I like about JM Mental Health is that we’re a small, supportive team. I feel that everyone who works here… Julia, the other clinicians, the admin team… we all have similar personalities. We try to do the job in the best possible way. No one is trying to put pressure on you. When I started, Julia asked me how many patients I wanted to see a week; it was my choice.

JM Mental Health gives me more control. I get the best of both worlds; the structure of an organised practice but also the freedom and control over what I do.

If I have some concerns about a patient or how something might affect the service, I talk to Julia. I can contact her when I need it. She’s approachable, nurturing and supportive.

I feel more valued and appreciated in private practice and I have more control. Most of the days, I finish on time, and I do actually feel I have properly finished for the day. Now I have the space in my mind to do my job the way I believe it needs to be done.

Dr Marina Mihaylova - Associate

My Objectives

Reduce time pressures in order to do the job properly
Delivering high quality clinical work
Gaining a better work-life balance

My Challenges

Understanding how private practice worked
Making the change to private practice

My Outcomes

A supportive, approachable, nurturing mentor
Freedom and control to do the job well
Superb management and admin support

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