It’s unreal to me that Psychotherapy Notes has been around since long before I even decided to pursue therapy. But the fact that I discovered it shortly after I started grad school shows how much of an impact it has made for the field in general, and for prelicensees specifically. Whenever I would Google a question about the path to MFT licensure, Psychotherapy Notes was one of the first links to pop up with an easy breakdown of what I needed to know. Here are some of my favorite posts from the past 10 years.
1. How long does it take to get an MFT license? (2012)
I joke with my colleagues that getting your master’s degree isn’t difficult because of the content, it’s because of the navigation. On that note, this article is what introduced me to Psychotherapy Notes. I specifically remember reading this and thinking “why haven’t I learned all this anywhere else?!”
2. Why we’re launching #PostThePay (2018)
The launch of #PostThePay was meaningful to me because of what I experienced when I had gotten my associate number and was looking for jobs. I was frustrated by the lack of transparency in applying for jobs and going through interviews. As I went through the motions, I felt a sense of exploitation from employers who tried to sell their associate positions as “a great experience” with a bonus of minimal, if any, pay. Discussions with my cohort revealed that it appeared to be a game of “who can we get for the least money.” It felt degrading. We have our master’s degrees. And this is still going on. But #PostThePay gives us a voice and has already made an impact. Stay tuned for updates on this movement, and know that one person challenging the system can make a real difference.
3. The challenges of being a young therapist (2017)
An article that I hold very close to my heart is my personal debut to the blog. I discussed the challenges that I faced being a young therapist. It was a risk posting this. I did lose some prospective clients as a result — ironically because it shared the mere fact that I am young. But the positive response from other young therapists made it worth it. I did not realize that I shined a light on a struggle that many other early-career clinicians share.
I could go on sharing favorite posts that have stood out to me over the years, but it would soon turn into the already existing archive list! Here’s to 10 years of truth, advocacy, and community. May it continue to be a valuable source for psychotherapists.