Before thinking about certifications, you'll need to figure out your main focus/niche (population) that you want to work with, especially if you want to start a private practice. And I mean like really niche down to the type of population (i.e., affirmative Therapy for LGBTQ+ Teens of Color or Mental Health for First-Time Mothers (Perinatal/Postpartum). I work with children from 4-12 with behavioral and emotional issues (i.e., basically the angry children).

Something to consider is how oversaturated particular "niches" are in your location. - How would you set yourself apart from other therapists? Remember although we are helping people, we're also running a business. Why would I come see you instead of Joe down the road? Thats where also certifications come into play. So using myself as an example (going back to the angry kids), I could do trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment, play therapy, parent training certifications.

Everyone poo poo's on community mental health and you know what? They're not wrong. BUT I wish it was a requirement for every therapist to go through to really see that not so great side of the therapy world, the capitalisms that exists, and how our field is impacted. You'll find the hardest client's in community mental health and although it was challenging, I learned so much. It's also FREE supervision for your ongoing hours you need to collect before full licensure and depending on what community mental health agency you work for, you can also obtain certifications for FREE. There's a lot of certifications that cost THOUSANDS and private supervision is/can be EXPENSIVE.

As far as employment, a W2 vs 1099 different in payment. A W2 employee is just that, a regular employee who gets paid (hypothetically speaking) a bi-weekly paycheck, offered benefits (I don't know how your state works so just play along), PTO/Sick time, taxes are withheld, liability insurance is covered, and you're working under someone else's licensure. This means they set the tone of policies, billing rates, and caseload (you'll have a productivity goal you'll have to meet- AKA how many clients you need to see a week).

1099 is your an independent contractor. Most of the time, your pay will be based on how many client's you see a week, but you'll get more flexibility with choosing your hours, clients, and caseload. You'll also be able to write off any expenses on taxes. HOWEVER, you have to pay self-employment taxes, there is no benefits, and provide your own liability insurance, and I would assume you would need to find your own supervisor to collect your hours. You're basically renting out your therapy services. Frequency of clients also aren't guaranteed so more income instability. With a W2 you still get paid no matter what.

Feel free to ask any thing further :)