Virtual Workshop SERIEs for early-career Mental health Professionals
Part I: Orientation
March 21 | 10a - 12p pst
Becoming a Great Therapist isn’t about having it all figured out or measuring yourself against anyone else. It’s about defining what great means for you.
If you’re in grad school or early in your clinical work and quietly wondering, “Why does this feel so hard?” or asking yourself, "Am I cut out for this?" — this program is for you.
Becoming a clinician carries a weight no one really prepares you for. You are not failing. You are not unprepared. And you most definitely are not alone.
Learn to NAVIGATE the work—from those who already ARE
MARCH 21, 2026 | 10AM - 12PM PST
$45.00
This live, virtual workshop exists to name the parts of being a Mental Health Clinician that don’t always get talked about in school: the self‑doubt, the pressure to get it right, the emotional weight you carry home, and the very real gap between theory and actually sitting across from a human whose world is falling apart in real time.
You’ll learn to orient yourself to what actually matters while you’re still becoming a mental health professional—how to trust yourself ethically, tolerate uncertainty, let go of comparison, and stay human in a field that quietly demands perfection.
Be part of our first offering, and first of its kind! Built in real time, with real clinicians and real students—where your participation helps shape what it becomes. Early participants receive a discounted rate of $45 for the initial pilot, priced intentionally to remain accessible to students and early-career clinicians for a collaborative experience.
The Experience
This is a one‑time, 2 hour live virtual workshop hosted by me, Dustin Adler, LMFT, and guest host, Andie Nishimi, LMFT, LPCC, PPSC. Both hosts are practicing clinicians: each with different styles, orientations, and ways of working with client caseloads. The workshop is formatted in a grounded conversation style, as this space is founded upon honesty, support, and direct evidence that you are not alone in your experiences.
Rather than teaching “the right way” to do therapy, you will learn:
How therapists actually think through real cases
How clinicians approach the same situation differently
What to do when you feel stuck, unsure, or not fully present
How to navigate imposter syndrome and comparison
How to show up consistently without having it all figured out
How this work realistically fits into your life
What Makes This Different:
Real‑world focus, not case vignettes. We’ll talk about REAL experiences
Multiple therapist perspectives: no single “correct” approach
Honest conversation, including the parts that feel messy or uncomfortable
An interactive format shaped by your questions and experiences
Honest reflection: the hard truth, weight and impact of this job
Navigation around incorporating realistic self-care into your days
What You’ll Walk Away With:
A clearer understanding of what’s normal at this stage - Relief from the belief that you’re failing or inadequate - Insight into how experienced clinicians think and decide in real time - Permission to develop your own authentic clinical style - Practical ways to stay grounded and take care of yourself
I’m in!
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is especially for you if:
You often feel like everyone else is more confident or competent than you
You worry you’re “behind” or doing therapy wrong
You feel pressure to be perfect or have answers you don’t yet have
You’re learning how to hold heavy clinical material while still trying to live your life
If you feel pressure to keep it all together within the weight of this responsibility
If you’re wanting reassurance that there are many valid ways to be a good therapist
If you’re waiting for that moment for everything to suddenly just “click”
You don’t have to be an expert. You do not have to be perfect.
Why this program exists
I wish something like this had existed when I was in school, and especially the first few years after I graduated.
Graduate training does an incredible job teaching theory, ethics, and foundational skills - you truly are getting an amazing education and are far more prepared than you'll feel. What it doesn’t always have space for though is the internal experience of becoming a clinician — the imposter syndrome and self-doubt, the comparison, the moments of feeling lost or exhausted in session, and the challenge of holding other people’s pain while still being a person with your own life.
This virtual pilot workshop was created to bridge that gap — not by giving you more techniques, but by offering honest conversation, real examples, and permission to be human while you grow into your clinical identity. And, to start early building boundaries that protect YOU.
Meet Your Facilitator
My name is Dustin Adler—I’m an SMC alum (’20), a licensed LMFT with my own virtual private practice, an AMFT Mentor, and an Adjunct Professor at Saint Mary’s College of California.
This workshop comes from years of sitting with clients, consulting with other therapists, mentoring emerging clinicians, and recognizing how little space there is to talk honestly about the internal weight of this work.
Ready to participate?
Cost & Accessibility
If this program resonates with you, signing up today guarantees a reduced rate of only $45 as part of its exploratory phase.
The intention of this pilot is to create a real, engaged space for emerging clinicians while also learning what support is most needed.
If cost would be a barrier, you’re welcome to reach out directly.
What to expect after signing up
Ahead of the workshop, you’ll be sent event details along with a questionnaire that gives you the chance to submit topics, questions, and real-life situations you’d like to hear discussions about. After attending, you’ll be asked to provide honest feedback about your experience that will help shape upcoming and future offerings. There is so much more to come, and we can’t wait to connect with you!