Helping Innovative Counseling Graduates
Cleveland Emotional Health’s Residency Program is an innovative undertaking which enables limited-permit mental health counselors (MHC) and marriage and family therapists (MFT) to build their dream of having their own private practice.
“Having my own practice is no longer my dream. It is now my reality!”
Leslie Baker LMHC ~ Owner of Soulution Alchemy
Most mental health counselors enter their masters/Ph.D. programs to fulfill their passion to help others. However, you may be part of a special group of graduates who have your sights set further. You have the vision of one day, operating your own private practice.
Am I a Counselor with a Vision?
Although not every counselor is seeking this particular objective, owning a private practice offers many unique clinical, educational, and entrepreneurial opportunities that may not be available within the restrictions of larger systems and organizations. Operating a practice allows for an intrinsic sense of autonomy and the ability to thrive using one’s expertise, vision, and creativity.
As you may already know, students and limited-permitees do not get to learn about business operations in educational programs or in clinical work. Furthermore, many counselors lack the practical business knowledge and skills necessary to establish a successful and independent business entity.
The Cleveland Emotional Health Residency Program aims to help fill these systemic and educational gaps by employing permitees and providing them with extensive clinical supervision and business skills training. Think of this program as the incubator for your up-and-coming private practice business.
The Requirements (NYS)
Residents are required to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, are self-motivated, creative, and innovative. All State laws and clinical practice requirements are rigorously followed, and The American Counseling Association Ethics Guidelines are fully implemented
Each one of our Residents is required to undergo weekly supervision. Mandatory monthly group supervision is also required. (Group supervision includes case study review and empirical research discussion where interventions and practices are explored and shared).
In addition to clinical, educational, and entrepreneurial development, the above interactive collaborations enable the Residents to experience professional and social support. Hence, this synergism builds professional connections that last long after the completion of your Residency Program.
The Benefits
On a a durable note, the financial success rate of the Residents is more than double that of a typical full-time clinic or group practice employee (The Business of Private Practice; in progress). All of us in the network work fewer than 25 hours per week.
Furthermore, the intellectual and financial freedom made possible by this Residency Program facilitates more time for family, continuing education, and personal pursuits. Given that self-care and wellbeing is a vital component for the success of rising counselors, the Residency Program and Business Model used at the Cleveland Emotional Health, creates an excellent opportunity for post-graduate professional development. This Residency Program is unique in its approach, as it has never (as far as we know) been available in the counseling field before.
Stipulations
It should be noted, however, that not all graduates are suitable for this Residency Program. A strong desire, autonomy, maturity, and self-determination are required. From the business and marketing perspective, not all practice ideas are sustainable, especially if the niche you are considering does not match the demands of the public.
As in any business, risk — although minimal — is an inherent part of a new venture, and success as a private practitioner is not guaranteed. Recent graduates that are interested in gaining licensure with Cleveland Emotional Health are encouraged to apply, but as stated earlier, not all private practice ideas are financially sustainable.
Serious inquires only. Email me
Click the link below to access a worksheet that helps you to organize your ideas for creating a counseling private practice:
Internship Program
Masters Students
Practicums and internships are designed for mental health counseling masters students whose desire is to go into private practice at some point after graduation.
Interns are supervised and work closely with the Cleveland Emotional Health Network of Supervisors, Counselors, and other Residents.
What is unique to the Cleveland Emotional Health Internship Program is that you will not only meet your CACREP hours and requirements, but you will also learn about the business processes of private practice.
Not all applicants will qualify. Serious inquiries only. clevelandemotionalhealth@gmail.com
Undergraduate Students
Junior and Senior undergraduates are welcome to inquire about internships. Undergraduates will have opportunities to learn about what mental health counseling is; will gain a better understanding of group and individual counseling; learn what opportunities there are in the mental health field; learn how to qualify and apply to masters and PhD level programs; and to better understand the business processes of private practice.
Not all applicants will qualify. Serious inquiries only. clevelandemotionalhealth@gmail.com
