New Exam Coach in Town!

People looking to get licensed as a LMFT or LCSW have had just a few options when it comes to exam preparation materials. Gerry Grossman and AATBS have been the front runners for the California licensing exams for a LONG time. 

When I started coaching people on the road to licensure, I never felt like 1:1 tutoring on content was my specialty or vision. I was always the mindset person, helping people connect with who they were, get their confidence up, and make a plan of attack for their studying process. 

The truth was, I saw more benefit in most study programs as a tool for learning to manage anxiety and find "holes" in knowledge- not truly as preparation for the exam. Most of what we need to know is learned through a gradual process (If you have good supervision). 

BTA had started as a LCSW preparation company (much like Grossman had started working with MFTs) and has moved into MFT work. While I couldn't even get someone on the phone at Grossman or AATBS to talk with them, connect, and hear their vision- Shosanna and some other people at BTA were much more inviting. I LOVE to hear people's hearts and passions.... 

So who is the new player in town? 

Well- any of you on the free online study group for MFT and LCSW licensing exams has heard- it is Amanda Rowan of the Therapist Development Center. I felt really honored to talk with her and hear how much PASSION she has for tutoring work. She gets just as riled up as I do about things that aren't right (which I LOVE). I still believe that each person needs to go through their own process to determine what is the right "fit" for them- but Amanda is a MAJOR contender. In fact, she is currently my top recommendation to check out, that and BTAs awesome Iphone APP. 

Go check out her exam preparation services and post your thoughts on her services below. And yes, I still believe you have to find out what style works best for YOU! 

I will continue to do my coaching on mindset, private practice preparation, private practice internships, and website building for therapists. I hope y'all have a great day! 

Android Users...

Another app has just been released on the android market for MFT studying. What I love about apps is that it takes the price WAY done (introductory price of $9.99) and allows people to start talking, playing, and processing about the exam. 

I have this same app by BTA on Iphone and have found it to be a fun thing to do in group supervision, or even for students to start to demystify (a little bit) the exam process. This is more focused on the written exam. 

And no, I don't know when the price will go up ;0) Happy interning! 

Do you love meeting new people?

I sure hope so! Otherwise, what are you doing in this line of work? Ok... the truth is, as much as I LOVE clicking with a new person, sometimes it is difficult to meet new people. The truth is, I have had some uncomfortable conversations over the years when there just wasn't a click... 

In fact, once, when I finally got to speak to one of the study material creators over the phone I got so frustrated I felt like yelling- "I'm trying to refer people to you!" I wasn't asking for a kickback, or cross referrals- I just wanted to know and undertand where they were coming from better! The tone was SO uncomfortable, I felt icky when I got off the phone. 

It is conversations like that that can keep you (and me) isolated, disconnected and feeling stuck! Before the holidays (man it has been busy), I got to speak to someone where we just clicked- and it was awesome! After the phone call I felt energized and excited, and a renewed hope for the intern and associate community! I've got some cool stuff in the works right now with a great lady who is ready to shake some stuff up and who shares some values with me in terms of the needs of MFT interns, MFT Trainees, and ACSWs! Woohoo! 

I hope today you step outside of your comfort zone and plan a coffee or a chat with a colleague you don't know very well and see if there is a click! No click? No problem! Just keep swimming... just keep swimming! 

Oooh- and here are some links to some old posts about networking! 

Learning To Network

Networking: Places To Go, People To See

I'll tell you a cool secret if you promise too...

Flash Cool Stuff! I haven't gotten a chance to evaluate it yet, but the fabulous Berkeley Training Associates (they really are great) has an Iphone App for studying! They have a free LITE version and a full version... at the moment the full version is just .99 for the full 200 original questions! That is NOT right and will go up VERY soon! 

I am telling all of my "friends" on MFTGuide, but I have to ask you a VERY big favor! PLEASE make sure you go in and post a review to BTA to let them know how much you love this program, how they could make it better, etc.- especially if you snag this at the .99 price! 

Studying for exams should be fun and done in a relaxation environment whenever possible. I love that you can take the studying process easily to the park or the beach. I also love that BTA has such a nice vibe and rationales. They were started by LCSWs and have two separate programs, one Iphone study app for MFTs and one Iphone study app for LCSWs. 

They do specialize in California exams. I will be posting a few review after I have a chance to go through the questions ;0) I just wanted to give you guys a "sneak peak" this fabulous Saturday morning! 

Just search MFT exam or LCSW exam and choose the BTA Exam for MFT or LCSW (or get both for that price)! Maybe we can get this into the Top 10 Downloads for a day! 

Download the MFT App here: 
Download the LCSW App here: 

This price will be changing soon! So if you miss it, you miss it! Happy Studying! 

Pre-Licensed Job Market & Saturday EVENT!

I've been getting a lot of emails and calls lately from interns and trainees looking for work. Many of them feel frustrated with the lack of paid positions. Even if they have a paid position, they feel scared of getting laid off, or locked in to a position that may not be meeting their professional development goals. 

I'm on the board of our local professional organization at http://valleysierracamft.org and am honored to be the board mentor for a new 3000 club in our area. We had our first meeting with our little committee of pre-licensed folks who were on board to organize our first event. 

In the first 20 minutes of our meeting, as we talked about the state of the pre-licensed experience- this theme come up almost immediately. In fact, we had all had the same feeling that many interns and trainees are feeling hopeless, and sometimes even apathetic. 

As just did as I always do, chatted/reframed, etc. Their eyes lit up... "I never thought of that..." "I can do that?" "What a great idea!" The thing was, they knew all the problems- everybody is talking about the PROBLEM- but nobody is talking about the SOLUTIONS- or the GIFTS in this kind of an economy! 

I want to share a few ideas from the meeting, but I also want to reiterate- the job market is TOUGH... in fact, it really sucks! HOWEVER, it isn't hopeless! And there are a few gifts of this funky job market: 

1. Thinning of the herd... I know this sounds horrible, but for every colleague that "gives up" right now, or decides to go in a different direction- gives the person who "stays the course" more opportunities. 
2. A re-think is emmerging... I used to hear the goal for many people was the ultimate "county job." And yet, once people got it, they were often miserable and described it as "golden handcuffs." People are now opening up their mind to building businesses and positions that truly inspire them for the long term- instead of relying on jobs to land in their lap. 
3. Connection & Community is re-emerging... It's hard for me to see it on certain days... but the pre-licensed and licensed people who are successful- they want to create a community, a movement, support networks, consultation groups and be INSPIRED in their work! (The only problem is getting connected with these people and escaping the negative grasp of the apathetic, hopeless people!) 

Are you ready to give up? It's ok... maybe there is something better out there for you? But, for those of you who are truly inspired by this kind of work and ready to create a brilliant future and healing business- stay the course- you can be successful! 

I have a couple of upcoming events that are super cheap for interns! 

Saturday (tomorrow) in Fresno, CA I will be presenting on Private Practice with a focus on websites. It is super cheap for pre-licensed folks and I promise you will learn SO much that you can use right now- and that will be fabulous when you start your private practice. If we have pre-licensed there- I'll even share how you can ethically start a website today that could get you a job! http://camft-csjvchapter.org/chapter-events/

November 19th in Modesto, CA, we will be having our first local 3000 club event. I know many of you aren't from Modesto- but if you are within a few hours drive- I'd love to meet you! It is a FREE event and I'll be doing a mini-talk and there will be lots of time for connecting and inspiration! Learn ore about our 3000 club here: http://3000clubmodesto.eventbrite.com/

Questions about today's blog? Post them below, or come hang out with me on Facebook at http://facebook.com/mftguide and http://facebook.com/zynnymeZynnyMe gives great website and technology tips ;0)