President's Message

Jennifer Stonefield, LMFT
LA-CAMFT President

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

On December 3rd, we observe International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This day promotes the understanding of disability issues and calls for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in all areas of society. Established by the United Nations in 1992, this day seeks to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities and to celebrate their achievements and contributions. Societies worldwide are encouraged to strive toward an inclusive future where everyone can participate equally, regardless of ability. By breaking down barriers and improving accessibility, the day underscores the collective responsibility to create a world that respects and empowers individuals with disabilities.

This observance also highlights the resilience and strength inherent in the lives of people with disabilities. Living with a disability often requires a high degree of perseverance and adaptability. Individuals with disabilities frequently encounter and overcome societal and physical barriers, demonstrating incredible mental and emotional strength in the process. For those living with disabilities, strength may mean pushing beyond expectations, advocating for inclusion, or finding creative ways to achieve their goals. This resilience is an inspiration, showing that true strength lies in persistence and the courage to advocate for a better world. By honoring this strength and resilience on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we are reminded of the importance of fostering a world that values and empowers everyone’s abilities, perspectives, and contributions.

As we head into the winter months, it is also important to acknowledge Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). With more than 3 million cases reported every year, SAD is caused by a reduction in the levels of serotonin, which regulates our mood and sleep. Symptoms to be aware of include low energy, difficulty concentrating, increased sleep, and feelings of hopelessness. While SAD can vary in severity, it impacts many people’s ability to engage fully in daily life. It can be difficult for some people to acknowledge that they are experiencing these symptoms, so it is important that we are aware of the symptoms and how they present.

As my final President’s Message, I want to thank everyone who helped to make this year so memorable and successful. I know that I couldn’t have done this without our amazing LA-CAMFT board - each of you brought your unique skill sets to the table and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with each of you. 

Jennifer Stonefield, LMFT, is Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. She’s always had a passion for psychology and going on the therapeutic journey with her clients reminds her of this every day. She has a wide array of clinical experience ranging from working with children in an educational setting to those suffering from dementia to individual work in several group, private practices where age holds no boundaries. She has an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Jennifer applies a person-centered approach when working with clients, as she believes that a “one size fits all” approach simply won’t cut it.

Annual Holiday Party 2024

Come Celebrate the Season with Us!

Join LA-CAMFT for our ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY on Sunday, December 8th from 1:00pm-4:00pm at the beautiful Clearview Treatment Programs facilities in Venice.

All are invited to come gather together in celebration of another year for our community!

Please join us for delicious food, laughter, and musical merriment with your LA-CAMFT friends and colleagues. If you want to bring something, let us know!

We will have our yearly rite of passage for our Newly Licensed MFTs. It is one of our most special LA-CAMFT rituals that welcome the newly licensed into the community. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE AN LA-CAMFT MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE!

If you received your license in 2024, and you would like to be a part of this ceremony, PLEASE let me know by emailing me (specialeventschair@lacamft.org) and registering for our Holiday Party. Many of us have been through that process, and we know what it takes to get through it. We want to celebrate and support you!

Come meet our current and newly elected LA-CAMFT Board of Directors, and community leaders!

There is a $15.00 registration fee for licensed members, guests, and professionals, and a $10 for associates, trainees, and students. This goes towards food, beverages, and health/safety considerations. If this fee is cost-prohibitive, we would still like to find a way for you to join us, please email specialeventschair@lacamft.org.

If you have an emergency/health issue on the day of the event and you’ve already registered, please text 424/262-6574.

We are so excited and look forward to seeing you there!

Suzy Herbert, LMFT

LA-CAMFT Special Events Chair

Event Details:

When: Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 1:00-4:00pm (check-in 12:30pm)

Where: Clearview Treatment Programs (911 Coeur D'Alene Avenue, Venice, CA 90291)

Cost: $15 for LA-CAMFT Members
                      Other CAMFT Chapter Members
                      CSCSW Members
          $10 for Prelicensed Members
                       Other CAMFT Chapter Prelicensed Members
          $15 for Non-Members
          $10 for Prelicensed Non-Member

*Registration closes Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 12:00pm.*

(To be sure you receive any information we send prior to the event, please add specialeventschair@lacamft.org to your known contacts or safe list and check your bulk, junk, spam or promotions mailboxes for any emails from us about this event.)

Editor's Note

Lynne Azpeitia, LMFT
Voices Editor

Getting Paid: Money Matters—This Year’s Top 5 Articles to Help Make Dealing with Money in Your Practice Easier

‘Tis the season to be giving, so, my gift to you this year is 5 of the best and most informative articles on Money Matters that I’ve come across this year — the ones that give the best answers to the questions that therapists have about how to deal with money in their practices. These articles are meant to be helpful and inspirational—not a burden or a scold.

Each of these articles is a short and easy read — and every single one of them is chock full of the best tips and information that therapists can quickly and easily use to make dealing with money in our practices better any time of the year. 

Reading any one of them will hopefully give you more support, inspiration, and ideas on how to have more private practice money success — minus stress!

So, if you have a little time during this season to reflect on money and your practice and how to make it better, stronger, more profitable, and more, take a look at one of these and see what you think.

Article 1: Money – Discovering Your True Value

Robert Middleton

“Today’s article is the second in a multi-part series on making more money in your business.

The main reason I’m writing this series on making more money is that, in my experience, most independent professionals are simply undercharging for their services.

This time, I’m going to talk about how to change the way you think about charging for your services.

You’re not a commodity.

If you think of yourself as a commodity, your clients will think about the fees you charge and how they can get the lowest fees possible.

They’ll think your services are like everyone else’s.

Buying your services is not like buying rice, steel, or heating oil. You can always find a lower price somewhere and get more or less the same commodity.

But if you’re a consultant, coach, trainer, financial planner, or another professional, your focus can’t be on your fees, but on the results you produce for your clients.

Think of some of the results you’ve achieved for your clients. Didn’t they make a huge difference in your clients’ lives and businesses? “ More….

Article 2: Money Matters: Q: As a female therapist in private practice, I know the value of my time is important to communicate to clients, but I’m uncomfortable talking about money with them. What can I do?

Maggie Mulqueen, Psychotherapy Networker

“A: Few therapists receive specific training about the business side of a private practice, and for many of us, having a business mindset can feel antithetical to our role as helping professionals. But in my experience, being a good businessperson is essential to providing high-quality therapy. When clients mistreat us financially, feelings of resentment can interfere with treatment. And just as importantly, clients who believe we’re mistreating them financially may feel resentful.

While all therapists must address money issues in their practice—they come up when a client fails to pay a bill or misses a session—it’s female therapists who talk to me most often about struggling with deep discomfort when it comes to discussing money with clients. This may be the vestiges of how an older generation was raised.

But as I see it, modeling best practices in these discussions can show clients that knowing one’s financial worth is an important indicator of self-care and self-respect, regardless of one’s gender. Since you find money conversations make you feel uncomfortable, practice talking about these matters with trusted people in your life so it becomes less difficult.” More…

Article 3: “Getting By” Money Vs. “Above And Beyond” Money

Chellie Campbell

“The road to success is marked with many tempting parking spaces.”Executive Speechwriter Newsletter

“Many people get caught in the trap of making just enough money to “get by.” They work to pay their current bills, and once those are satisfied, they relax and coast until the first of the next month, when they start the process all over again. It is a basic money habit pattern. Working frantically to get the bills paid and then coasting will not get you to the pinnacle of success you deserve. No one ever coasted uphill.” More…

Article 4: Should You Offer a Sliding Scale?

Theranest Team

“If you’re looking for one guaranteed way to make a therapist cringe, ask about sliding scales. Specifically:

●      Do you offer a sliding scale?

●      Why don’t you offer it?

●      Should you offer it?

●      What is an appropriate minimum rate for a sliding scale?

●      How do you decide who deserves reduced rates?

Cringing yet? No doubt, these types of questions are maddening. But these are the very questions you must ask yourself because eventually, someone else will ask them of you. When you delve into the topic of sliding scales, be prepared for both ardent supporters and passionate opponents. In this post, we won’t take a hard stance for or against sliding scales, but we will go over the pros and cons of implementing one in your private practice. We’ll discuss how to determine if this system is the right option for you and your clients. And finally, we’ll also provide you with excellent alternatives to the sliding scale model if you’re still uncomfortable with the idea of reduced rates. First, let’s start with a quick definition of sliding scales.” Read More…

Article 5: Are Sliding-Scale Arrangements Right for Your Mental and Behavioral Health Practice?

Theranest Team

“In the mental and behavioral health field, it is crucial to provide affordable and high-quality care to everyone, regardless of their financial status. Mindful of this objective, mental health providers have developed various strategies to address the financial barriers that may hinder treatment. One effective approach that has gained traction is the implementation of sliding-scale arrangements. In this blog post, we will delve into the concept of sliding-scale arrangements and explore how they benefit both providers and patients in the mental and behavioral health sector. We’ll also help you determine whether they’re suitable for your practice and how you can ensure you’re not sacrificing your financial health if you choose to implement them.” Read More…

There you have it, your very own Money Matters Coaching Kit. Enjoy your reading! 

Happy Holidays!

Lynne Azpeitia, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, is in private practice in Santa Monica where she works with Couples and Gifted, Talented, and Creative Adults across the lifespan. Lynne’s been doing business and clinical coaching with mental health professionals for more than 15 years, helping professionals develop even more successful careers and practices. To learn more about her in-person and online services, workshops or monthly no-cost Online Networking & Practice Development Lunch visit www.Gifted-Adults.com or www.LAPracticeDevelopment.com.

LA-CAMFT 3000 Club

presents

3000 Club Support Group 

Meets First Saturday of Every Month

Next Meeting:

Saturday, December 7, 2024
9:00 am- 10:00 am

Online Via Zoom

FREE Registration

Join the 3000 Club for a one-hour support group. Meet and get to know other pre-licensed members, ask questions about BBS updates, participate in a supportive group of other LA-based pre-licensed MFTs.

For more information, contact Javan Taherkhani.

Event Details:

For: Prelicensed Associates and Students, Trainees, Associates, Newly Licensed Therapists, LA-CAMFT Members and Non-Members.

When:  Saturday, December 7, 2024, 9:00-10:00 am

Where: Online Via Zoom (Your registration confirmation email will include the Zoom link and instructions for accessing the event.)

Cost: No Charge

(To be sure you receive any information we send prior to the event, please add prelicensed@lacamft.org to your known contacts or safe list and check your bulk, junk or promotions mailboxes for any emails from us about this event.)

*Registration is open and available until the presentation begins.*

Therapists of Color (TOC) Grant Award Committee

LA-CAMFT's Therapists of Color Grant Award: Grant Award Registration Opens January 2, 2025

Marvin Whistler, Mediator

On October 27, 2024, the most recent awardees of the LA-CAMFT TOC GRANT AWARD were randomly selected. They are Javan Taherkhani and Matthew Herrera. Each will receive $530, free admission to 3 LA-CAMFT workshops or networking events with the exception of the Law & Ethics Workshop.

The next cycle for the grant will begin on January 2, 2025. It is limited to members of LA-CAMFT, and the award is limited to once per calendar year.

Description of Grant Stipend

Every 4 months (3x per year), a grant award will be offered to two applicants who meet the following criteria: (1) must be a current LA-CAMFT member, (2) identify as a Therapist of Color, and (3) must be either an Associate, Trainee, or Student still in graduate school.

Grant winners will receive

• $530 to be spent at the winner’s discretion
• Free admission to 3 LA-CAMFT workshops or networking events of the winner’s
• choosing with the exception of the Law & Ethics Workshop.

The $530 award can be used at the recipient’s discretion based on their own individual needs (whether it be for BBS fees, testing materials, memberships, rent, groceries, etc.). Confirmation for the what money is used will not be required.

Application and Selection Process

Interested members can complete the application on the LA-CAMFT website. The selection process entails using a Randomized Generator of the applicants who met the full criteria and complete the application online to take out human bias and decrease activation of one’s trauma history. The drawing will be recorded via Zoom and posted onto social media along with an announcement naming the grant winners, whom will also be contacted via email directly.

Registration for the next award cycle will open on January 2, 2025, and will close on February 22, 2025. The drawing will take place on February 23, 2025.

Best regards,

The LA-CAMFT TOC Grant Committee

Member Article

5 Steps to Reclaim Your Confidence After Divorce

Steven Unruh, MDiv, LMFT

Picture this: you’re moving through life after a divorce, striving to make sense of your world while doubts about yourself linger. You once felt secure and valued, but now that inner confidence feels a bit lost, and questions of worthiness seem louder than ever. You’re not alone in this experience, and more importantly, you don’t have to stay here. There’s a path forward, and it starts with boosting your self-esteem and reclaiming that sense of self you may have thought was gone.

The Core Problem: Why Divorce Can Shatter Self-Esteem

Divorce isn’t just about parting ways with a partner; it can feel like a part of you is lost. This profound life change brings challenges that ripple through your identity, confidence, and sense of fairness. Here’s how:

• The world around you suddenly feels unfamiliar. Your social circles, daily routines, and financial stability may all shift, leaving you ungrounded and questioning where you fit in this new reality.
• Doubts about your self-worth may begin to surface, as you wonder if you’re capable of loving or being loved again. This inner struggle can trap you in a cycle of self-doubt that makes moving forward seem impossible.
• A sense of injustice hangs heavy. It feels deeply unfair to feel diminished because of a relationship’s end, yet these negative beliefs can take over, casting a shadow over your confidence and leaving you feeling detached from the person you used to be.

But it doesn’t have to stay this way. There’s a different path—a journey where you can rebuild your confidence, reconnect with your self-worth, and step forward into the next chapter of life with strength and hope.

5 Steps to Reclaim Your Confidence After Divorce

As a divorce mediator with over 30 years of experience, I’ve seen many people transform their self-esteem by making intentional choices toward healing. My goal is to guide you in rebuilding that confidence and show you the steps to help you reclaim a sense of purpose and self-worth. Let’s explore some practical steps to get you started.

Step 1: Identify Your Worth Outside of the Relationship

The first step to restoring self-esteem is recognizing that your worth is not defined by a relationship. Take time to reconnect with what makes you unique. Write down your strengths, skills, and achievements, and consider how they have positively impacted your life or others. Research shows that practicing self-affirmation can reduce stress and boost resilience, especially during times of adversity.

Step 2: Embrace the Healing Process with Self-Compassion

Divorce often brings self-criticism but turning that into self-compassion is essential. According to a study by Dr. Kristin Neff, self-compassion can significantly impact overall mental well-being, especially during difficult times. Treat yourself with kindness, allowing room for mistakes and growth. By being gentle with yourself, you foster a stronger foundation for genuine self-esteem.

Step 3: Focus on Setting Small, Achievable Goals

When everything seems overwhelming, set small, realistic goals. For instance, you might set a goal to try a new hobby or reconnect with an old friend. Accomplishing small milestones will help you see progress and reignite self-belief. Research suggests that achieving small goals can have a profound effect on motivation and self-esteem, giving you tangible reminders of your capabilities.

Step 4: Build Supportive Connections

Surrounding yourself with supportive people can ease feelings of isolation and self-doubt. Reconnect with friends, join a support group, or consider working with a mediator like myself who can help you through this transition. In a study published by the American Psychological Association, social support was found to be critical in bolstering self-esteem and reducing depressive symptoms following significant life changes.

Step 5: Seek the Benefits of Divorce Mediation

If the divorce process still feels unresolved, mediation can offer closure and a constructive path forward. Divorce mediation provides a structured environment where both parties can communicate openly, with the goal of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement. As a mediator, I’ve seen firsthand how the mediation process helps individuals feel heard and respected, fostering self-confidence as they move forward. The added benefit? Mediation often saves time, reduces stress, and promotes a peaceful conclusion.

Ready to Take the First Step?

It’s natural to feel hesitant or even resistant to these steps. You may wonder if self-esteem truly can be regained after such a transformative event. But remember, small steps lead to substantial change. By committing to this journey, you’re taking ownership of your story and rebuilding your sense of self, independent of past relationships.

Imagine a future where you feel grounded, confident, and hopeful again. That future can be yours with the right guidance and a commitment to self-compassion. Start by embracing these steps, and if you’re ready to dive deeper, consider divorce mediation as a way to facilitate closure and empowerment. Together, we can work toward helping you rebuild your self-esteem and write a new chapter in your life.

Your self-worth is not a reflection of what happened in the past but a testament to who you are becoming. Embrace this journey, and let’s move forward together.

Steven Unruh, MA, MDiv, is a Divorce Mediator and LMFT. He and his team at Unruh Mediation complete the entire divorce process, including all assets, pensions, properties, alimony and child support—along with all required documentation. Unruh Mediation files in 13 different courthouses throughout Southern California. Website: stevenunruh.com.

LA-CAMFT Diversity Committee
Presents:

Black Therapist Support Group

Second Monday of Every Month

Next Meeting:
Monday, December 9, 2024
6:00 pm-7:30 pm (PT)

Online Via Zoom

Black Therapist Support Group

A safe place for healing, connection, support and building community. In this group, licensed clinicians, associates and students can come together and process experiences of racism (systemic, social, and internalized), discrimination, implicit bias, and micro-aggressions, along with additional experiences that therapists of African descent encounter in the field of mental health. As the late great Maya Angelou once said, “As soon as healing takes place, go out and heal someone else.” May this space, be the support needed to facilitate that journey.

Open to LA-CAMFT Members and Non-Members

First Saturday of this Month
Location: Zoom Meeting

For more information contact the Diversity Committee, diversitycommittee@lacamft.org.

For:
Licensed Therapists, Associates, and Students

Event Details: 
Monday, December 9, 2024, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm (PT)
Time of Check-In: 5:50 am

Where: 
Online Via Zoom
Upon registration for the presentation, you will receive a confirmation email that includes a link to our Zoom meeting.

Cost:
No Charge

Online Registration CLOSES on the date of the event.
(Registration is open and available until the group ends.)

Questions about Registration? Contact Stara Shakti, LMFT   at DiversityCommittee@lacamft.org.

Guest Article

Helping Our Older Clients Navigate Their Changing Holiday Landscape

Kim Scott, LMFT

“Merry Christmas!” “Happy Hanukkah”  “What are you doing for the holidays?”

These seemingly innocuous comments and ultra perky merriment can stir up a lot of pain for our older clients. The extra holiday cheer surrounding our clients can make them feel out-of-step with their community. This can intensify their pain and add to their feelings of isolation and shame. To help our older clients navigate the holiday season it is essential that we understand some of the common themes and struggles so that we can support and validate their experiences.

Some of these common themes include:

• Loss. Loved ones may have died or moved away. They may be merging or sharing holidays with in-laws, or our family ties may have weakened. They may have lost beloved pets. Or may be grieving the loss of their youth, health or past holiday traditions. The loss does not need to be recent to hurt. One of my clients who lost her husband a decade ago, is still sad and nostalgic when holidays and other big events come up. We as therapists can normalize this for our clients because often friends and family expect them to be “over it.” It’s okay and healthy for us to check in with our clients about any losses that might be coming up during this season. With all of the “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Hanukkah” verbiage it is important that we let our clients know that the therapy room is a place where they can be holiday-cheer-free without judgment. We can also help our clients’ create and incorporate traditions into their holidays to honor lost loved ones.

• Loneliness. Does your client have someone to spend time with over the holidays? Isolation can be particularly painful at this time of year. Part of the pain comes from the assumption that everyone else has family and friends to celebrate with. We can normalize this for our clients and help them make plans for the holidays that will be meaningful and enjoyable to them. These plans do not need to include friends or family. Plans can range from volunteering to feed the hungry, to celebrating at a senior center, to going on a vacation. Planning in advance can make a potentially lonely time less dreary and can help bring expectations in line with realty. We tend to be much more depressed and stressed when our reality is dramatically out of sync with our expectations.

• Change. Change can be stressful even when the change is good, like when members are added to our family through marriage or births. These are wonderful, joyous events but our traditions and routines may need to change to accommodate them and CHANGE CAN BE HARD! One common change that our older clients may face is when their adult children begin their own families. This will most likely change our clients’ role in the holiday celebrations. Their role may be smaller and more on the side-line. Their adult child may want to celebrate parts of the holiday with just their nuclear family.  As therapists, we can help our clients identify and put words to their feelings. We can help our clients express any sadness, fears about becoming irrelevant, anger for being left out, and embarrassment for even having these feelings. We can also help our clients decide if or when they want to communicate their feelings and thoughts with their adult children. Either can be healthy and productive options and we can help our clients determine the right answer for them and their family.

• Stress. Holiday stress can come from change, strained relationships, extra financial pressures and/or decreased physical stamina. Our clients may have a difficult time setting boundaries with family and friends based on their current situation. For instance, a mom who traditionally hosts Hanukkah dinner for the entire family of 20 may no longer have the physical energy to do this. Or may not have the financial resources to host as she once did.  We can help our clients’ talk about their truths so that they can begin to create new holiday traditions that truly fit their abilities and desires. We can help our clients make a plan for the holidays that includes self-care on all levels.

• Meaning and Purpose. So often the holidays are reduced to ‘Hallmark’ events…big, expensive, overwhelmingly busy and impersonal. This can leave our older clients feeling empty. We can help our clients retrieve or find a new meaning or purpose for their holidays. To begin this process we might ask our clients to share some of their most dear or cherished holiday memories. And, from these memories we can help our clients identify what made these memories special. What core values did these special holidays embrace? Was it time with loved ones? Or the religious significance? Or carrying on traditions? Or giving? Then we can help our clients explore new ways they can bring this meaning or purpose into their holidays.

In my practice I have seen many of my 50+ clients grapple with these issues. And, the most important thing we can offer as therapists is a safe place for our clients to honestly share their thoughts and feelings connected to how the holidays change as they age. We can normalize these changes and their feelings, and we can help them explore how to create new holiday traditions that give them peace or joy.

I’ll never forget a 70 year old male client who came into my office after the holidays. As he sat down, I asked him how his holidays were. He said, with great humor and a booming voice, that they were “Horrible!” He laughed. I laughed and he spent his session sharing each of the excruciating details. His load felt lighter having someone he could honestly share his feelings with, without shame.

Kim Scott, LMFT is a licensed marriage, family and child therapist. She has a private practice in Granada Hills where she works with couples and individuals, in-person and via Telehealth. Kim has been licensed for 30 years and has expertise in working with older adults and women issues. To learn more about Kim's practice and to read more of her articles visit her website: www.kimscottmft.com

White Therapists Fighting Racism
LA-CAMFT Diversity Committee Affinity Group

Third Sunday of Every Month

Next Meeting:
Sunday, December 15, 2024
3:00 pm-5:00 pm (PT)

Online Via Zoom

White Therapists Fighting Racism

The goal of White Therapists Fighting Racism (WTFR) is for white-identified therapists to become effective allies in support of decolonization and racial justice in our clinical practice, therapy association, and community. Recognizing that racism is maintained when whiteness is invisible to white people, White Therapists Fighting Racism provides a forum for white-identified therapists to explore what it means to be white. While this process includes learning about structural racism and deconstructing the false narrative about race, a primary focus in the group is on doing inner work. To learn more, click on the Diversity Committee page.

Open to LA-CAMFT Members and Non-Members

For:
Licensed Therapists, Associates, and Students

Event Details: 
Sunday, December 15, 2024, 3:00 pm-5:00 pm (PT)

To join this group, go to  https://lacamft.formstack.com/forms/wtfr_member_questionnaire. 

For more information contact Randi Gottlieb at rgottliebmft@gmail.com.

Guest Article

Additional Income Sources For Therapists: Expand Your Practice By Teaching

Fran Wickner, Ph.D., LMFT

In recent years, the income of many psychotherapists has been steadily declining.  In order to keep income up with inflation, therapists often need to work harder at keeping their practices full. As I’ve mentioned on my website there are many ways to build and expand your practice, but one way that is not often addressed, yet very rewarding, is to teach counseling and/or psychology at the graduate or undergraduate level.

Why would a therapist want to be an instructor? Because teaching is a wonderful creative venue that will help inspire the clinical work you do. Preparing lectures, viewing videos to show your class, reading textbooks, all keep you up to date on current clinical issues and can hone your counseling skills.

Private practice can sometimes be lonely. The interaction with faculty and students can be a needed anecdote to isolation. 

Being a faculty member in your community can lead to more referrals to your private practice and/or help you get a clinical job. You will be seen as an expert in your field, leading colleagues and potential clients to seek you out for referrals and/or job possibilities. Your students will also see you as someone to refer to.

And last, but not least, teaching is fun.

Many therapists seem to be intimidated by the process of getting a teaching job. When therapists come to me for help with their business, they often say that they don't know how to go about getting a faculty position. The following are some ideas to get you started.

In order to apply for a teaching job, you will need the following:  a resume, a cover letter and a course proposal/outline. But before you begin rewriting your resume or writing a course proposal, write down a list of topics you would like to teach. You might decide to teach a mainstream course like Couples Counseling or Diagnostic Appraisal. Maybe you specialize in an area in which few schools are offering a course. For example, you may have a practice specializing in eating disorders and want to offer a course on this specific issue.

When you write your academic resume, highlight any teaching experience. This should include classes you have taught, workshops, agency trainings, or if you have been invited as a guest speaker. Include any publications, blogs or newsletters you have written on the subject. Under your job descriptions, highlight clinical experience related to the course(s) you want to teach.

Your cover letter and course proposal will differ depending if the school already offers the class you would like to teach or if it is a new course. For current classes, the cover letter should include why the school should hire you to teach this particular course. If it is a new course you will need to convince the school that they should add this to their program. Include how this new course fits into the curriculum.

For current and new courses, include the clinical expertise you have in this area, any special training or certification, any previous teaching experience on this subject and if you have anything published in the area.

The course proposal should go into more detail. You should include the course title, how many credits/units and why (you can give a range), the description of course content, proposed methods of presenting the material (ie: lecture, experiential, videos, role plays), learning objectives and presenter expertise.

Teaching is a way to expand your practice, increase your income and deal with the isolation of private practice. And your interaction with other faculty can lead to lifelong support and friendship.

Fran Wickner, Ph.D., MFT has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 1983. In addition to her clinical practice in Berkeley, Dr. Wickner is a practice building consultant and offers individual consultations and workshops as well as availability to speak to your consult group or professional association on all aspects of building and expanding your private practice. Website: FranWickner.com/ForTherapists