We’ve mentored a lot of CF’s over the years. At Comprehensive Therapy Consultants, we provide additional support on top of the mandated mentorship required to get your CCC’s. If you’d like to get a feel for a clinical fellowship in the school, we sat down with one of our own therapists to discuss! CLICK HERE to watch that video.
Although we know not every CF experience is exactly the same, here are some helpful tips and friendly advice to get you through your CF year
Study your population
As soon as you have the opportunity to find out what kind of students you’ll be working with, try your best to come up with a game plan. Are you working with students who use AAC devices? Are you familiar with those devices? Are you working with students with severe stutters? Do you have materials for this type of student in your back pocket ready to go? You don’t have to have everything 100% prepared your very first day, but go ahead and study and prepare what you can.
Ask questions
Just because you’re done with graduate school doesn’t mean you’ll have all of the answers. There will likely be situations that school didn’t prepare you for. Don’t be afraid to ask questions— your mentors, co-workers, and supervisors can guide you in sticky situations and give you some perspective and options with problems that arise.
Connect with the SLP gang
Make sure you have a good SLP support system. Your mentor is a great resource but connecting with other individuals in the same field— even if they don’t work with you — is a good idea. Join a Facebook group or therapist organization to keep up with what is going on in your field. They’ll likely be a great resource when tough questions arise.
Speak words of encouragement
This isn’t just for your students. This is for YOU. First time jobs are not always a walk in the park because absolutely everything is new and a learning experience. Speak words of encouragement to yourself and remember that things get easier over time.
Get friendly with the laminator
If you find a therapy material helpful, laminate it. You’ll likely use it over and over and using a dry erase marker in sessions will save you loads of time.
Consult
You became a school therapist because you wanted to change the lives of students. It takes a village. Plenty of kids on your caseload will likely have other therapists working with them (occupational, physical, etc.) Get on board early with consulting those professionals and asking how you can reinforce what they’re doing with students in their sessions.
Lend your support
Yes, you’ll be plenty busy. But when you can, lend your support to teachers and other school workers. Relationships at work are important. The load is easier when people work together.
Fake it ’til you make it
Confidence is important. You many not have all of the answers right out of the gate, but be confident about what you’ve learned and stick to that. If a parent asks you a question you are unsure of, don’t be afraid to tell them you’ll need to check and get back to them. Better to give correct information rather than quick information— incorrect information can cause frustration and distrust.
If you have any questions or would like to find out what available positions we have for CFs this school year, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: info@comprehensivetherapyconsultants.com.
