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By Nick Cohen, AMFT, APCC
After an incredible CAMFT Pre-License Summit, this article from Nick Cohen, a member of our Pre-License Committee, felt like a perfect follow-up. In his piece, Beyond the Diploma: A Guide to Post-Graduate Training for Californian AMFTs , Nick offers a personal view on how to navigate what to do when you have both the freedom and the responsibility to create your own path.
Congratulations!
You've just completed your practicum, graduated with your master's degree, and registered as an AMFT. You're excited to start your supervised hours, but you're also wondering: “Now what? How do I keep growing as a clinician when I’m no longer in the structured learning environment of grad school?”
Here's the truth: some of the most transformative learning happens after you graduate. The years you spend as an associate aren't just about checking boxes toward licensure, but they're about discovering your therapeutic voice, deepening your clinical skills, and building the kind of career you actually want. And unlike your graduate program, you now have the freedom to choose exactly what you want to learn.
The landscape of post-graduate training can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Whether you're drawn to trauma work, couples therapy, or still figuring out your niche, there are training opportunities designed specifically for associates like you.
When you're juggling client sessions, supervision meetings, and possibly multiple jobs, the idea of adding more training can feel exhausting. That's where accessible continuing education comes in. While associates aren’t required to attain CEUs unlike our licensed peers, the content of many continuing education trainings out there can still be incredibly valuable.
CAMFT's On-Demand Learning Library (https://ondemand.camft.org/courses) offers recorded workshops you can watch at midnight in your pajamas or during your lunch break. Topics range from clinical techniques to business practices to legal and ethical issues that are all designed to fit into your real life. Their live events and workshops provide the added benefit of connecting with colleagues face-to-face, reminding you that you're not alone in this journey.
There's something about being in a room with hundreds of other therapists that webinars just can't replicate. Annual conferences offer exposure to cutting-edge research, workshops led by leaders in the field, and the kind of networking that can change your career trajectory.
CAMFT's annual conference (https://www.camft.org/conference), the AAMFT national conference, and regional chapter events (https://www.camft.org/Membership/Chapters) provide opportunities to learn from keynote speakers, attend specialized workshops, and meet therapists who can have a lasting impact on your career growth. Specialty conferences exist for nearly every interest area, including trauma, perinatal mental health, LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy, couples' treatment, and cultural competency.
Can't afford to travel? Many conferences now offer hybrid formats, making them accessible regardless of your budget or location. Consider budgeting for one major conference annually, and don't overlook the value of presenting your own work. Even a simple case presentation or poster can boost your visibility and confidence.
As you spend more time with clients, you'll likely notice patterns in who you work best with or what issues excite clinically. Certificate programs offer a structured way to develop real expertise in these areas. These programs typically run 6-12 months and combine didactics, supervision, and hands-on practice.
Many of us learned about the Gottman Institute's couples therapy training in schools or had professors who talked about EMDR International Association and Somatic Experiencing organizations for clear certification pathways on trauma work. A simple Google search may yield plenty of results for whatever your interest may be.
Yes, these programs require an investment of both time and money, but they offer depth that occasional workshops can't touch. Many provide payment plans or scholarships. It's worth asking!
Remember those intense case discussions with classmates at 9pm on a Thursday? That kind of peer learning doesn't have to disappear after graduation. Ongoing consultation, whether through peer learning circles, case consultation groups, or individual consultation with a senior clinician, prevents the isolation that can plague this profession.
Consider forming a small consultation group with fellow associates or trainees who share your interests. Meet monthly to present challenging cases, discuss ethical dilemmas, or simply process the emotional weight of the work. These relationships often become your professional community for decades to come, offering both clinical wisdom and genuine friendship.
Your post-graduate years are precious. Unlike grad school, where the curriculum was chosen for you, you now get to craft your own education. The training you pursue during these years will shape not just what you know, but who you become as a therapist.
For more great articles written for Pre-Licensees, check out our Pre-Licensed Corner! Resources on our CAMFT website can assist you in whatever stage of your journey you are in, whether you are a student taking your very first course or a seasoned therapist.