[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/sellingthecouch/STC_Ep_46_Patricia_Gonzales_Edited_mixdown.mp3″ title=”Preparing for Private Practice Before You Graduate” artist=”Melvin Varghese with Patricia Gonzalez” image=”https://sellingthecouch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/STC-Logo-1400-x1400.jpg” social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” ]
Welcome! Today’s guest is Patricia Gonzalez, who is a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern. She is here to talk about what is involved in preparing for private practice while still an intern. This topic was covered in Session 24 with Rachel Moore, so look that up and listen to it if you haven’t. It’s one of our most popular episodes, so I think Patricia’s advice and tips will be helpful. Join us!
Patricia is an intern now, planning to be licensed in just a few months. She started considering private practice while in graduate school, but it seemed like it would never work out for her. She knew she wanted to do work with LGBT clients in a way that made sense to her. She appreciates the multi-faceted flexibility she has to do the things she loves along with therapy work.
Patricia shares the following with us about her work:
- Patricia overcomes negativity about her status as an “intern” with the help of amazing people in her personal life and helpful, supportive, and welcoming colleagues.
- She found her supervisor, Tracy, by doing non-profit agency work, identifying her niche, and then searching for someone looking for an intern.
- Not every therapist Patricia contacted was willing to take on an intern or felt comfortable with her specialization with LGBT clients.
- Patricia identifies the best qualities of supervisors as being willing to share resources and experiences while challenging and supporting the intern.
- Sometimes people discount her as “just an intern.” Patricia helps educate them about the licensing process, tries to understand their concerns, and asks, “What do you need to know to feel safe with me?”
- Patricia learned that even in private practice, a therapist will work constantly if limits aren’t set. Short-term and long-term plans are a necessity. You must prioritize tasks, client time, and planning.
- Patricia’s advice to those just starting out is to begin with agency work for the training, experience, and identifying the area of specialization you desire.
Patricia shares helpful, practical information for any intern or grad student who is considering private practice. I hope you’ve found our conversation beneficial; thanks for listening!
Links and Resources:
www.creativeinsightscounseling.com (Patricia’s website)
(Psychology Today Look for Patricia Gonzalez)
Call her at 323-577-3938. Find all links and other information on her website.