MFT Handbook

Cris Walker Roskelley, MFT has written an e-book helping MFTs navigate the entire process of getting licensed and building a successful practice. I haven't read the book myself but the table of contents looks thorough. She also has discounts to popular psychotherapy resources on the links section of her website. www.MFTHandbook.com

SF-CAMFT Mentoring Program

I asked the coordinator of SF-CAMFT's mentoring program Marty Cooper, MFT to write a description of the program. I signed up for a mentor recently because I felt like I could really the support of someone who knows what it's like out there after graduation. If you've felt the same look into this:



THE SF-CAMFT PRIVATE PRACTICE

MENTORING PROGRAM

By Marty Cooper



Who is a Mentee :

A mentee is any newly licensed MFT, or experienced MFT newly interested in private practice who would like to learn from seasoned private practitioners about the nuts and bolts of running a psychotherapy business. Interns interested in private practice are also welcome, however, we urge you to check out the Intern Committee first, since we have found many matters of interest to interns can best be answered there.



What Mentoring is:

Mentoring is very different from supervision, and no supervisory activity or therapy is intended. Mentoring is for providing information, support , and encouragement. How the relationship is established and shaped is totally up to the mentor and mentee. Some people meet once, or once a month for coffee, maybe go to CAMFT meetings together, or just chat on the phone. A mentoring relationship can be for a limited or extended period of time. A mentor could talk to many mentees, a mentee could talk to many mentors . It all starts with an introductory telephone conversation.

How to sign up:

If you are interested in being either a mentor or a mentee , please contact Marty L. Cooper, MFT, by e-mail: (martycooper@mlcooper.com). For mentees, please send your name, phone, and email, as well as whether you have any preferences (remember, everyone is a volunteer). Also, please send a few words about your clinical orientation/populations served, or anything you think is important about yourself. For potential mentors, please send your name and contact info, and any critical restrictions or needs in regards to possible mentees.

So far, almost all mentees have been placed immediately, though in the future there may be a waiting list (just to forewarn you).

I Found My Internships!

After a long search and several interviews I've finally signed up with The Link to Children in Oakland doing play therapy at a preschool and Oak Creek Counseling Center seeing adults for psychotherapy in San Francisco. I feel good about both of them and I am glad to be set up after graduation.

Other MFT Blogs

I came across these two blogs for MFTs:

MFT Interns is a relatively new blog written by struggling MFTIs. Frankly, it's pretty bleak in tone so don't expect to be inspired. It seems more like a place to vent and commiserate with others.

A California Psychotherapist Blog
Stephanie Elliott, MFT set this up to help mental health professionals build their careers.

Career Networking Sites

LinkedIn and Jobster are two similar sites that a lot of people use to keep in contact with colleagues, look for new jobs, and network with people in the field. You can post your resume and recommend other people you've worked with.

LinkedIn has an easy system of making connection with others and searching for people in your school or organization.
You can check out my profile here.

Jobster has more job postings and search features than LinkedIn but has less to do with social networking.

TrackYourHours.com

I found a sponsor for this site! TrackYourHours.com is a very helpful resource to keep track of all the hours you accrue on your way towards MFT licensure. The most helpful part for me is printing out my completed weekly experience verification forms in a neat orderly manner. I've heard horror stories of the BBS returning forms that had crossed out numbers or messy entries. TrackYourHours also shows you through graphs how many hours you have accrued and how many you still need. It's free for 30 days to try out.

Books for Developing Your Therapy Career

CIIS Professor Michael Klein, during his talk on setting up a private practice, highly recommended the following two books:

* Getting Started in Private Practice - The Complete Guide to Building Your Mental Health Practice, by Chris Stout and Laurie Grand, (c) 2005

* The Successful Therapist - Your Guide to Building the Career You've Always Wanted, by Larina Kase, (c) 2005