“I didn’t know anyone was out there who helped us pre-licensed therapists! I thought I would have to figure this all out on my own,” a recent coaching client told me. Although he had a good opportunity at a private pay type site, he didn’t know how to get clients calling and wanted to be able to help his clients more than he felt he had as a trainee.
Getting into this field is exhilarating and anxiety provoking. The rewards are plentiful and intangible–helping people in the most meaningful ways and being a part of their lives during a difficult time.
Jobs are out there, yet you may feel unprepared or not fully ready to take on something new. You may not know where to start or what kind of position to look for, or you could have a decent position and be in the midst of practicing with clients and wonder what the future holds. “Am I going to continue working with this population or at this site, or do I want something else? Something better. How am I going to earn all my hours and get better at being a therapist?”
I Wish Someone Would’ve Been Available to Me
There’s so much to manage and navigate during pre-licensure. I figured out a lot along my way and found some great supervisors, but I wished someone would’ve been available to me earlier on to point me in the right direction, help me figure out what the best route would be and how to earn more money and get my hours. And with less stress! I eventually found what worked, but what I have to share with you through my coaching and other services can save you years of effort and hard work, bring you more income earlier on and help you become 1 of 2 who gets licensed. I also have valuable insight to help you get continually better at being a therapist.
There’s a Vast Need
According to the Board of Behavioral Sciences in California, nearly half of Registered Marriage and Family Therapist interns (now associates) over the past 10 years have not gotten licensed. That means only 1 of 2 people made it successfully to licensure, earned their hours, made enough money to continue working in the field, handled the mental and emotional aspects and passed their exams.
I want to help you bridge that gap from grad school to licensure, which includes:
–successfully navigating the pre-licensure process
–finding paid associateships/clinical work and earning your hours toward licensure
–ensuring success in your career long-term, finding what you really love to do and paving out a path to get there
–becoming an increasingly more effective clinician
Help You Find Paid Work as a Clinician
Through my one-on-one coaching, I will assess where you’re at with your job search and career planning and help you find paid work or better work while earning hours. I’ll give you my top tips on what to do and where to go so you’re ready to hit the ground running. This is ideal if you have not sought employment, are having difficulty finding what you want, or want to find something better. With a background as a career coach and professional writer for resumes, websites, directory profiles, book proposals and articles–what I did prior to becoming a therapist and as a side business once I became one–I provide writing and editing services and one-on-one coaching to help you land a paid associateship, and get your hours.
I also consult with therapists on clinical cases from an integrative theoretical point of view, combining family systems, attachment/psychodynamic, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, EMDR, DBT, CBT and solution-oriented.
For Interns or Associates Interested in Starting a Private Practice or Growing a Practice
As a licensed therapist who grew a successful practice while an intern, I will help you establish a private practice, including support with finding a supervisor, forging the business relationship and contract, building a referral base, getting clients calling and developing effective marketing. I will talk you through it step by step, making it doable and fun! If you’re already in a group practice or center, I will help you with marketing efforts so you can get more clients and a stronger referral base.
Many pre-licensed therapists think starting a private practice or working in one is something to put off until after they’re licensed. When really starting a practice as an associate is the ideal time to start. By building it now, you can have a well-established practice before you even get licensed–and have the potential to make good money along the way. It’ll help you earn hours, make a living and give you freedom to either work less hours or take on additional positions. It was one of the best things I did for myself, both career wise and personally. I can help you do the same!
For Associates Seeking Traditional Sites–Non-Profits, Agencies & the Like
I will help you put your best foot forward so you can stand out from the crowd, by providing valuable resources and key pointers to help you land your ideal position, or help you figure out what’s best for you right now with the available options. This could include a coaching session and an expert resume makeover or review. It may be putting together an online presence so potential employers can research your qualifications before calling you for an interview. Once you land an interview, I can coach you so you’re prepared to navigate the the sticky interview questions and significantly boost your chances to get a job offer.
Proof is in the Pudding
Clients have been telling me that their time spent with me helped them find a great job (from awesome part-time agency positions to specialized niches), communicate themselves effectively in print and online (via resumes, directory listings, web sites and developing a blog), and develop the business building skills they needed to start and grow a private practice as an associate (from finding a supervisor to getting clients in the door=$$).
A recent client told me she didn’t know she could command a $130 fee per session as an associate! Yes, you can. And I can help you do it.
Wishing you more success than you can handle, because you want to help people and be successful at it!
Loving thoughts,
Tyra Butler, LMFT, Early Career Clinician Coach
