What do you do once you have a niche?
Let's say that you know that you are interested in working couples or doing marriage counseling, or working with kids with ADHD, or doing long-term therapy and becoming a psychoanalyst. A first step is to find out what people who are pursuing those fields have done. What coursework have they taken? What placements and training have they pursued? What are they reading? And, how are they getting clients or patients.
How do you do that? In the coursework arena, you might try asking your professors, asking alumni from your program (don't know how to find them? Now is the time to start an alumni listserv) and looking into advanced, postgraduate training programs in your area of interest. What postgraduate training programs are offered in your locale in your unique niche. Start asking about them and start investigating. Even as a student it is not too early to begin to explore your options. Also, what one shot continuing education workshops are offered? It's not too early to enroll in a workshop in your area of interest. Although some of the material may be too advanced you will begin to meet professionals in the field and you can start interviewing them about their career paths. As for reading, stop by your university library and do a literature search (nowadays you can do this online). Begin to read the professional literature in your area and begin to read the lay literature, too. As for the topic of how they are getting clients or patients, I'll address that in tomorrow's email.
Best to all, LVF
(c) January 13, 2010, Dr. Lynn Friedman, All rights reserved.
P.S. The waiting list to take this class has grown. Therefore, Johns Hopkins has added a second session to be taught the last weekend in April. Already practicing professionals and graduate students from elsewhere may enroll as special students. The course will run from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. Information about registration may be obtained through the university.
P.P.S. A list of all blog posts can be found at: Dr. Lynn Friedman's, developing a private psychotherapy practice
Confidentiality Policy: Please note for reasons of confidentiality and copyright all letters to the blogger will be summarized and edited. Also, I will not write about real patients. Instead, I will create fictionalized vignettes. When you pose a clinical question, please ask it in a general way. DO NOT write about real patients. Thank you.
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Lynn Friedman, Ph.D.
Psychologist, psychoanalyst, work-life consultant
Faculty Associate, Johns Hopkins University
5480 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301.656.9650
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http://www.corporationsonthecouch.com
Dr. Lynn Friedman welcomes referrals for supervision or consultation, feel free to call her.
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