PRIVATE COACHING
Let’s talk about it.
I am available for private coaching via phone or Zoom (your choice), which I book in 60-minute increments for $200. If you have already enrolled in my Application Course, you have access to one discounted session at $150.
I have served as both an admissions essay reader and interviewer for the MFT program at California State University, Northridge, where I currently serve as adjunt faculty. Coupled with my passion for knowing boring but crucial details about the educational journey to becoming an MFT, I’m uniquely suited to help you find the answers you need.
Coaching calls are an efficient way to get specific questions answered or get more personalized advice. Most of my clients fall into one of the following categories:
Is MFT/psychotherapy right for me?
Don’t spend $20k-$100k in tuition alone just to find out that this field is a bad fit for you! In one session, I can get a pretty solid idea about your expectations for the career, your background and what that means for your future as a psychotherapist, and I can tell you whether you’re on the right track or stand a good chance of being disappointed. I cannot tell you your future, but I can also help you figure out the answer to the big question everyone has—”can I make ‘enough’ money doing this?” The answer is different for everyone.
What license should I get?
Social worker. Marriage and family therapist. Clinical counselor. Psychologist. It’s a lot to sort through, especially if you don’t have any contacts in the field. You can’t always trust folks on Facebook to give you helpful guidance on this one (though you can always count on them for very strong opinions). I can help clear up misconceptions and demystify the alphabet soup of licensing options.
What should I do now (or next)?
Once the decision is made to pursue a degree in psychotherapy, most people have very personal questions about next steps. From deciding to apply now or wait another cycle, to picking a program, to deciding whether to go part-time or full-time, to accreditation—everyone has different priorities and concerns. I can help you create a plan of action that will get you where you want to go.
A note about essays:
Unfortunately, I cannot review your application essay during a coaching call. I need a lot of time to review your materials and think about your essay before I feel confident providing content evaluation and recommendations. That’s why I charge a flat fee for my Editing service. On a coaching call, I’m happy to discuss higher-level questions about what programs are looking for in an essay or whether you should (or should not) include a particular life event in your narrative, but I cannot read what you’ve written and give you feedback. I also cannot get into how to word things for your essay on a call. If you are still unsure whether a coaching call or Editing is a better choice, please send me a message!
FAQ
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I can’t predict which program will be perfect for you. I can listen to what your situation is, discuss your preferences and priorities, and offer my suggestions of programs to check out a little closer. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of programs out there, this can be helpful. It can also be helpful if you’re considering a very competitive program but are unsure about your admission chances. Again, I can’t see the future, but once I know the details about your particular story, I can honestly share what I think you’re up against when applying to a competitive program.
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I don’t publish rankings for a very good reason—when it comes to MFT programs, “best” is highly subjective. I encourage many coaching clients to apply to programs that I personally would never apply to, because they’re looking for a much different experience that I was. What’s “best” for me may well not be best for you! But I like to think that by getting to know you personally a little bit, I can use my insight about MFT programs to help match you up to a program you’ll be excited about.
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Sure—have a lot of money, or take out a loan(s)! Apart from that, I cannot give you financial advice on how to manage paying for graduate school. I can hear about your personal situation and offer my opinion on how you could juggle grad school, earning an income, and everything else you have going on. I will tell you that, personally, I took out the maximum allowed federal financial aid loans. I had no options for outside help, and I worked a part-time job to get through school, and it turned out to be a good decision for me so far. Check in 30 years from now to see if I still feel the same way…
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I often find our conversations center on the client’s unique experiences and situation. With that information, I am able to offer a more personalized opinion on programs to consider (or which to cross off the list), how to evaluate priorities in order to pick a good-fit program, and what to strategically share (or not to share) about your personal experiences. Many clients also find our calls useful for answering specific questions that can be difficult to understand no matter how many articles and blog posts you’ve read!! For example, I’ve had a lot of conversations about accreditation, license portability, the licensing process and how/where hours can be accrued, etc.
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I don’t offer refunds on coaching calls. If you’re hesitant about signing up, please share your concerns with me and I’ll let you know whether I think it’s a good fit or not. I’m happy to accommodate rescheduling according to my availability if you notify me at least 24 hours prior to our scheduled meeting. If you cancel a meeting within 24 hours, I will not issue a refund because it’s too short of notice to fill that spot.
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Before working with Carrie, I was overwhelmed. It was a lot of information to process, even with the helpful catalog of programs and felt I needed an insider's perspective to assuage any doubts or unknowns about making the next steps. Having an individual session was money well spent. It was beyond valuable that Carrie led the conversation towards the questions and insights I was truly needing to have addressed, unlike sitting through a webinar where they may or may not be able to get to your question or address it to the specifics you hoped. Then, I was able to ask the pressing questions to the interested programs that I didn't think to ask prior to working with Carrie. This easily aided in weeding out a myriad of choices that I was set on applying to.
~ Joanna
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Before I spoke with Carrie, I didn't understand the alphabet soup of the credentialing world and was pulling my hair out! After working with Carrie, I was able to find a credentialed school that was appropriate for my level of need. My anxiety reduced dramatically after learning about the ins/outs of psych grad school. Anyone that is experiencing the feeling of being overwhelmed by the multitude of choices in the education field could benefit from a call with Carrie.
~ Jeff Watson
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Before working with Carrie I found the search process overwhelming and frustrating. There are so many programs out there, all with impressive recruitment materials and assertive sales teams. Carrie is very knowledgable and easy to work with. She understands the processes involved in getting oneself on a clear path to a clear goal and is exceptional in her ability to help one figure out those goals and work toward them. It is like being an 11th grader and having a big sister who is already in college who can walk you through the admissions process she has already gone through. She is caring and considerate and was an absolute pleasure to work with; so much so that I am grateful to be able to write this to let her know how appreciated she is.
~ Neil Monaco
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I began my research of psychotherapy about 1 month before working with Carrie. I was unclear about the practical differences between different disciplines of therapists, and I was unsure which school I should choose to attend. Carrie helped me understand what each school uniquely offered, how to choose which kind of therapist I wanted to be, as well as some of the issues facing current MFTs. I was able to identify which schools were suitable for me. I successfully received admission to 2 of my favorite 3 schools. I believe career-changer and current MFT students could benefit a lot from Carrie's services. She is a down-to-earth counselor who gives the hard truths, and she is an easy person to talk to. It felt like talking to a close friend without any judgment.
~ Patrick Yao
Here’s what my clients are saying:
Other Services
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How to Strategically Craft a Compelling Application for Graduate School
My online course that covers the strategic approach to applications that I have shared with my private coaching clients for nearly five years.
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Proofreading & Editing
Stumped on your essay or personal statement? Whether you haven’t started writing yet or just need a final polish, I’ve got you covered! -
Member Resources
It’s free to become a member of MFT California! Join for instant access to interviews with program representatives, Q&A’s with me, downloads, and more.