California suffers from a severe and worsening mental health workforce shortage. In fact, much of the US is in the same boat. There simply aren’t enough qualified mental health professionals to meet our country’s needs. At the same time, therapists in private practice often complain about their local markets being saturated. There are so many therapists in some places, it seems, that it’s hard to get a career off the ground. As it turns out, there’s truth to both of these perspectives. Where we’re needed isn’t where we want to be As some bar-napkin math at my blog showed a […]

Language fascinates me. As therapists, we use language to reframe situations, craft metaphors, and ultimately instill feelings of hope. We recognize how powerful this tool is, so we carefully select our words when in sessions with clients. If only we did the same outside of sessions. I love speaking with associates, trainees, and students at various events and settings. I’ve heard about the highs and lows of the journey to licensure, the successes and struggles, the hopeful and (seemingly) hopeless situations. One of the statements that always gets to me is “I’m just a(n) ___” (student, trainee, associate). “Just.” As […]

You probably know me as the founder of Prelicensed, but what you may not know is that I wear many hats within the MFT field. In addition to my entrepreneurial and clinical work, I volunteer for the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) on the local and state levels. For those who aren’t aware, CAMFT is a large professional organization that represents our interests in a number of ways, including advocating for legislative and regulatory changes within and outside of California. I could go on and on about the wonderful work CAMFT is doing, but I’ll save that […]

Discussions about California’s “six-year rule” for prelicensed family therapists (MFTs), clinical counselors (PCCs), and clinical social workers (CSWs) often turn confusing. There’s a simple reason for that. When people refer to California’s “six-year rule,” they actually might be referring to either one of two different rules, both of which have six-year timeframes. Here’s a breakdown of both six-year rules. 1. An associate registration is good for six years Let’s say that Melissa is a prelicensed counselor who just completed her graduate degree. (The specific profession doesn’t really matter. All three professions have parallel rules here.) She applies for associate registration, and is registered […]

Therapists and counselors never stop learning over the course of their careers. The educational process starts in graduate school, where trainees and students absorb as much information as they can within and outside of the classroom setting. In California, following graduation and registration with the BBS (Board of Behavioral Sciences), associate marriage and family therapists seek work and training opportunities that will allow them to continue expanding upon their knowledge of therapeutic techniques and treatment modalities. Once licensed, marriage and family therapists are required to obtain CEUs (Continuing Education Units*) in order to continue practicing. We know that continuing education […]

If you’re working your way down the long road to licensure, the holidays can offer some welcome relief. It’s a rough process, getting licensed. It’s certainly longer than it needs to be, and it helps if you’re independently wealthy to begin with. Sometimes staying optimistic is a challenge. But going into the holidays with family and friends, we thought it would be a good time to remember all the good that comes with this work. And there is a lot! It’s probably true that not all of these apply to any one prelicensed therapist (if they do, and it’s you, […]