That MFTI Life...

Overwhelmed, isolated, insecure, and exhausted are frequent feelings felt by many Marriage and Family Therapy interns.

We are no longer trainees (sheltered and protected under the guidance and structure of our graduate program) nor are we Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (the respected and coveted title that we all strive to attain which often seems like an insurmountable goal).

We are interns. We are MFTIs. Better yet, according to my California Altura Vista supervisor and marketing guru, we are “Pre-licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.”

We are stuck in the in between.

THREE THOUSAND clinical hours and a state licensing exam stand in our way of becoming everything we went to school for and sacrificed along the way. The moment we graduated, it has felt like an arduous and panicked race to the finish line.

It first began with obtaining our intern number. There was a constant buzz between us newly graduated individuals. “Did you turn in your paperwork?” “I heard so and so got their intern number in less than three weeks.” “I hope the BBS received my documents.” “Where do I get my fingerprints done.” “Where is my intern number? Why haven’t I received it yet???!!!” The moment we received the long awaited letter in the mail, we were able to breathe...for just a moment.

Instantly, we had a new worry: obtaining an internship.

For some interns, the process of finding an internship that was the “right fit” came effortlessly. A handful of individuals were able to continue on from their trainee site as an intern or made professional connections prior to graduating or simply was in the right place at the right time. Unfortunately, the more common scenario for interns during this search period was often filled with self-doubt, disappointment, and a sense of desperation. Some of us weren’t quite sure what type of internship we desired (clinic, hospital, private practice, case management, etc…). Many of us reached out to fellow peers and professors looking for any known job opportunities. Countless applications and resumes were sent and rejected. Luckily, a majority of us often did indeed find ourselves an internship.

Thus, the accruing of hours began.

Lack of sleep, lack of time with loved ones, and lack of energy are frequently experienced by many interns. We are all “hustling” to try and obtain our clinical hours as rapidly as we can, in addition to; paying our bills and providing for ourselves and others. Currently, I am at 1,394 hours to be exact. Juggling two careers simultaneously (high school teacher and therapist) has been quite the challenge. I have been s..l..o..w..l..y accumulating hours since 2013 and every time I input my hours on trackyourhours.com, I feel either hopeful or discouraged with reaching my goal of 3000 hours. To be honest, there have been many and I mean MANY times where I have looked at the darn tracker and thought to myself “I am never going to get licensed.” It seriously feels like a snail’s pace at times.

Despite moments of self-doubt, this journey of being an intern has been incredibly fulfilling and life-changing. I have been abundantly blessed with two amazing internships, supportive supervisors, and an admirable community of fellow MFTIs. Currently, I am an intern for Hope Counseling Center and California Altura Vista. Aside from accruing hours quickly, my biggest struggle is marketing. Ernesto Segismundo, my supervisor at CAV and owner of FYLMIT.com, has encouraged and pushed (sometimes shoved) me out of my comfort zone. As an intern, being in private practice can sometimes be quite challenging. Marketing yourself and building a sustainable caseload takes dedication, confidence, and time. Both of my internship sites have done an incredible job at empowering and encouraging their interns.

As many of us continue to stumble through these intern years, I hope we can all do it strongly and boldly. To my fellow pre-licensed marriage and family therapists, I wish you the most sincere blessings and encouragement during this transitional period and please remind yourself of the following:

1. Reach out: Seriously, you are not alone. Utilize your peers. I sometimes think therapists speak their own language that only other therapists can understand. I guarantee that some, if not all, the emotions you have felt during this process have definitely been felt by one of your fellow interns. Seek out your colleagues for encouragement and comfort. Sometimes you need to group text your fellow MFTIs just to keep sane. Let them be your community; let them be your support system; let them be your rock.

2. Don't compare: Although we may all be interns, we are all experiencing different circumstances. For some, therapy is their first career. For others, it is their second career. We are all in different life stages whether we are married, single, have children, etc… In addition, life experiences can rock us with grief and loss and brokenness that can delay our progress. When you start hearing how many hours your peers have gained or how close they are to licensure, remember to not compare and become discouraged, but to remind yourself that everyone’s path is different. You will get there. Be confident. It will happen for you.

3. Be kind...to yourself: We are not perfect. None of us are “perfect” therapists because perfection doesn’t exist. Remind yourself that you are an intern: a recently graduated individual who works for a period of time in an occupation in order to gain more work experience. We are still learners. We make mistakes. We stumble. How often do we accept and show empathy for our clients? Give yourself the space and kindness to fall. Learn and continue to grow in your craft.

4. Enjoy the process: One of the best tips of advice I have received from supervisors is to remember that this process is not about how quickly you can earn your clinical hours. The pace at which you accrue them does not define your ability as a competent clinician. It is about enjoying the process. Be still. Soak in the knowledge you gain from your supervisors, your colleagues, your friends and family, and your clients. Embrace this in between.

Hugs! -Judy

Brea, CA