Thriving Financially as an AMFT

by: Joanna Farah, MFT Trainee

Embarking on your career as an associate therapist can feel like a formidable challenge. Despite the years invested, the countless hours dedicated, and the financial sacrifices made to kickstart this journey, many new graduates encounter the reality of low-paying positions or starting from scratch within a group practice. At times, doubts about choosing a path as an MFT may creep in. Yet, despite these challenges, there are those who carve out success and financial stability without compromising their dedication to mental health.

In the spirit of fostering candid discussions and sharing real-world experiences, CAMFT continues its mission to provide the Pre-Licensed community with numerous resources, empowering new therapists to prioritize all levels of wellbeing and, so they can better serve their clients. In this feature, I had the privilege of conversing with David Blacker, AMFT who graciously shared his insights and journey. I hope his experiences will serve as inspiration for fellow associates navigating their unique paths.

David Blacker (he/him/his) is a registered associate marriage and family therapist (#134957) working in private practice under the supervision of Michael Anthony-Nalepa (LMFT #101240). David provides in-person therapy in Los Angeles and online therapy throughout California via Telehealth. He graduated from Antioch University with a Masters in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Psychology.
Website: davidblackertherapy.com

How did you secure your first position after completing your MFT program?
A few months prior to graduation, I started my search for an associate position. I wanted to take as many meetings as possible, so I could better understand the differences between the many private practices and the pros and cons of each supervisor.

I used a variety of resources to research available positions, including joining various psychotherapy focused Facebook groups that are specific to the LA scene. A lot of supervisors use those groups to advertise their open positions.

Around the time of graduation, I personally reached out to my favorite professors, whom I trusted the most, and asked them if they had any suggestions or recommendations for supervisors they believe would be a good fit for me. Doing so led me to the associate position. I ended up joining Therapy Unscripted (supervised by Michael Anthony-Nalepa).

Can you share your experiences and challenges in finding employment right after graduation and how did you overcome them?

By taking so many meetings prior to graduation, I was fortunate to have several supervisors interested in me joining their practice. That said, I hadn’t yet received my associate number and couldn’t begin seeing clients until my number arrived. Some of the prospective supervisors were accommodating and others proved to be impatient as receiving the number took longer than anticipated. In the end, I ended up joining the practice that was most patient and understanding of the wait.

I also found it difficult to weigh all my options while being offered spots. I felt it was unfair to keep certain supervisors thinking I would possibly join their practice if I knew it was unlikely that I’d end up there. So, during the three or four month wait for my associate number, I had narrowed it down to two or three opportunities and let the rest know that I wouldn’t be moving forward.

Describe your current workplace, including the setting and the nature of your work.
I work for a group practice that has three supervisors. Each supervisor has their own associates. It’s a strength-based, queer-affirmative and neurodivergent-affirmative practice that incorporates social justice perspectives into the clinical work. There are three office spaces for associates to choose from, as well as offering telehealth services. I currently see clients at the Larchmont / Hancock Park area office six days a week and I offer virtual sessions from my home office as well. I am currently seeing around 25 clients.

One of the reasons I chose Therapy Unscripted is because I had a strong desire to learn the business side of running a private practice, which is something the owners pride themselves on teaching their associates. By the time associates reach their 3,000 hours and pass their licensing exam, the goal is to have a strong enough roster of clients to take with you as you start your own private practice. With that goal in mind, I was confident this would be the right fit for my long term plans.

In your perspective, what does "financial success" mean in the context of your career?
Psychotherapy is a second career for me after 20+ years working as an advertising executive and creative director. During those years I had become accustomed to earning a salary that enabled me to support my family. Leaving that profession and going back to graduate school —essentially starting from scratch—was very challenging for me, in terms of no longer having the financial means to maintain my previous lifestyle. After making such a huge time and financial investment to be able to do this work, I struggled, and continue to struggle, with the arduous journey to becoming licensed. So, I started my associateship with ambitious goals in terms of how quickly I would be able to line up new clients and start making some money.

Luckily for me, my supervisor understood my goals and supported me on my mission to reach “financial success” as quickly as possible. In total transparency, I hustled big time… and I haven’t stopped. I networked constantly. I had in-person and Zoom meet-and-greet coffee sessions with other associates and licensed therapists to increase my chances at becoming a referral source. I also reached out to the professors that I found most inspiring and let them know where I landed, in case they could refer clients. I attended local AMFT gatherings to get my name out there. I joined Teen Line (peer to peer support for teens in crisis) as a volunteer resource associate where I’d become close with other associates, which led to more referrals.   

Have I reached true financial stability as an associate? I would say that’s subjective. I believe I am doing as well as I can be as an associate therapist.

How satisfied are you with your current work/life balance, and what strategies have helped you maintain it?
In total transparency, since completing graduate school, I can’t say I am satisfied with my work/life balance. I’m working very hard to get through the process quickly, so I can eventually make a bit more money once I am licensed. Working this hard has meant less family time and very little relaxation time. I’m doing what I need to do to be able to financially take care of my family.

In terms of strategies, I’ve managed to create one huge boundary these past two years and that’s no work on Sundays. I won’t see clients or work at Teen Line on Sundays. It’s one day for me to dedicate myself fully to my son and husband.

For Pre-Licensed MFTs navigating the financial aspects of their careers, what advice would you offer?
The advice I give to others on this journey is to manage your expectations and understand that Rome wasn’t built in a day. You really have to market yourself, especially in the beginning years. Clients won’t magically fall into your lap. We provide a service and services need to be promoted. How else will clients find you?

I’d also remind AMFTs not to be so quick to bring over all of their clients from their traineeships/Registered Associateships. I cared deeply about my clients from my training site and I felt honored that they wanted to follow me into private practice. However, I learned that those who can afford $40 fees are unlikely to be able to afford your full fees. And if you fill up all your slots with extremely low sliding clients, you may start to regret that decision and it’ll be too late.

In terms of financial strategy lessons I’ve learned along the way --- honestly, do whatever you need to do to get by financially. For me, that meant taking on freelance advertising copywriting projects here and there when I was building my roster of clients. It also meant watching my spending and avoiding unnecessary purchases and travel during these beginning years.

Joanna Farah, MFT Trainee, is currently studying clinical psychology at Antioch University and transitioning into a new career in Somatic psychotherapy after more than a decade in the corporate world. An East Coast native, Joanna is happily settled in Long Beach, CA, and is completing her traineeship hours working with adults & adolescents in an outpatient mental health treatment program specializing in dual diagnosis, mental health, and substance abuse. She loves learning and refining her clinical skills and is passionate about facilitating healing experiences for others - to not only move beyond trauma but to cultivate joyful resilience.

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