Consultation

Group Consultation: The Emerging Therapist

Along with my friend and colleague Laurel Connell, LMFT, I provide small group case consultation to newly licensed therapists in private practice.

Laurel and I have known each other for nearly 15 years, when we worked together at a local hospice agency as MFT Associates. We have supported each other through licensing, the early days of launching our private practices, and managing tough cases over the years. We have consulted with each other monthly for years, supporting our growth and development.

Our intention for offering a consultation group to therapists who are just starting their private practices is to provide the support we wished we had when we were newly licensed and opening our practices. We want to offer support, wisdom, experience, and a place for nourishment and replenishment to newer therapists.

In a small, closed group format, participants can bring their questions on cases, their worries or concerns, their doubts, and their victories. Although we will inevitably give some practical support, the focus of our groups is not to provide logistical answers which can be found in various business trainings, or via a Google search. Our intent is to support your process of becoming a more confident, embodied therapist, answering the question: “How am I BEING as a therapist?”

Themes we will explore in our groups:

  • Connecting with your own body and emotions to support the bodies and emotions of clients

  • Pacing your work day and week

  • Recognizing when you are overriding your needs

  • Developing Self Compassion and growing awareness around compassion fatigue

  • Building a grounded and embodied foundation for yourself as a mental health professional

Our groups are offered as a 90 minute closed group, limited to 6 therapists per group. The small group will meet every other week, for 8 sessions total, beginning January 2025.

The 90 minute group will be paced along these lines:

  • Somatic focused opening exercise

  • Offering from Laurel and Jean on one of the themes above

  • Round-robin sharing from therapists on their cases, concerns, and successes

  • Somatic focused closing exercise for integration and transition

The closed group, gathering every other week, allows for a depth of connection and support, as well as time for integration between sessions.

Cost: $800.00 for 8 consultation group sessions

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My co-facilitator, Laurel Connell LMFT, has been in private practice for 9 years and weaves her background in Contemplative Eastern Psychology together with somatic therapy. Laurel works with those who have experienced trauma, loss, or challenging life transitions. She is trained in Polyvagal theory and somatic based approaches, such as TRE and the Safe and Sound Protocol.

To learn more about Laurel, visit her website at laurelconnellmft.com