What I Learned Can Benefit You
When I graduated from my program, I realized there was more to learn about the business of mental health and the various types of work available. About finding paid work while earning hours and becoming a good therapist. It was not an easy process. I am familiar with the many routes available–county work, agencies, rehabs, centers, and private practice.
Since each client comes to us with uniquely-shaped issues and histories, I could tell I needed to learn more, above and beyond what I learned in school.
I got a well-rounded understanding and first-hand experience of what it takes to be an effective therapist by training with some of the top therapists in our field and learning from some of the most well-known business coaches, which helped me successfully navigate through the pre-licensure process.
Startling Numbers of Interns Do Not Get Licensed
About half of Marriage and Family Therapist Registered Interns in California have not gotten licensed in the past 10 years. I know, startling, right?! And, nearly 40% of Professional Clinical Counselor interns have not gotten licensed in the last four years. The numbers for psychologists and social workers were more difficult to quantify but this whole field faces challenges on the road to licensure.
It is Possible to Get Licensed & Be Paid Despite the Odds 
During my early intern days, I learned how to establish and grow a money-making private practice as an intern while working at traditional internships, getting the best of both worlds. And studying with master clinicians advanced my therapeutic skills.
This rigorous training ground helped me maintain a financially healthy practice through licensure, expand my abilities, earn all my hours, pass the exams and establish a thriving therapy career.
You Get the Advantage
I want to share my hard-won knowledge with you. I was fortunate to have found great mentors, supervisors and an effective training ground.
You may feel overwhelmed and confused with how to navigate this field and career.
The fact that roughly half of interns/associates do not make it to licensure shows there is a wide gap between graduation and getting licensed. There is so much to overcome, and it is hard to pull all the pieces together and maintain momentum.
All this made me want to help you, the early career clinician. I learned a lot, excelled in some key areas and I am on the other side to share about it. As the pre-licensed coach, I can help you become a successful, licensed clinician too.
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Want to learn a little more about me before you decide to work with me?
- I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and have been practicing for eight years, with 13 years in mental health and 20 years of business experience, including private practice, agency, and county work.
- I earned my master’s degree from Hope International University in Orange, Ca. and afterward graduated from a two-year post-graduate training program in Advanced Psychodynamic Theory and Therapy at the Newport Psychoanalytic Institute in Tustin, CA. Simultaneously, I was supervised by Steven Harris, Ph.D., who practices from an integrative approach, and has had a full private practice for over 20 years and is locally well-known.
- I have a passion for helping other clinicians early in their career succeed and get licensed.
- I established and grew a private practice as an intern.
- I studied and trained side-by-side with well-known therapy business coaches including Casey Truffo and Bill O’Hanlon. And I’ve leveraged my business experience to figure out how to blend business and therapy, get plenty of referrals, have successful first sessions and keep clients coming back.
- I’m also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR;) certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and I did my master’s case conceptualization using Satir’s experiential communication theory, a family systems theory. I studied Solution Focused Therapy extensively for two semesters as well as Solution Oriented therapy with Bill O’Hanlon. I have two years training in all the family systems theories, so I know them in and out.
- I have also been a professional writer for the past 20 years, as a career counselor and senior writer providing job guidance and interviewing coaching as well as expert resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile writing. My writing experience consists of creating dynamic content for web sites, blogs, newsletters and ads.
- I’m known for my upbeat, kind, articulate approach, and ability to hone in on issues and figure out how I can help.
