For eleven years until this past December, I led one of the two newly licensed support groups sponsored by SCV-CAMFT (the first year was an enjoyable co-led experience).

As one might imagine, over eleven years I met many newly licensed therapists. Quite a few of those are now therapists you recognize today in many facets of our professional life, including those in leadership, excelling in professional specialities, providing workshops, and other excellent contributions to our profession.

As a certified group therapist, I was moved by witnessing the transition of the therapists in my group, and how they would join the group and quickly feel connected with the other therapists, the topics, and struggles in a very affirming manner. Facets of a therapist's professional identity can feel isolating at times; notably levels of anxiety and fear about being newly licensed and creating a practice from scratch. Invariably, there was agreement that the business model of starting a practice was neglected in graduate school and in other settings in which these therapists found themselves. This group seemed to fill that gap in a connecting and affirming way. I think most newly licensed therapists would benefit from joining a support group like this, to help them get their grounding after the long process of getting their required hours and taking the exams.

I was pleased to witness and be a part of a their growing sense of competence and comfort level, chipping away at the list of tasks to create a professional identity. They were encouraged to reflect often on their original motivation, goals, and dreams that brought them to graduate school in the first place.

I was honored and enjoyed providing the space for this budding transition. The attendees provided most everything else: energy, empathy, encouragement, resources, resourcefulness, ideas, care, compassion, and continuity. I know long-term friendships grew between the attendees through meeting in this group, as well as many other professional connections.

The benefit for myself, contributing two hours a month, was to witness and be a part of a significant experience at the core of our profession: growth, support, and service. It was a great experience to be part of this group; one that helped solidify for me what groups are about and specifically, support groups focused on a very timely and important topic.

It was with mixed feelings that I gave up my role and passed the baton on to another capable leader. I feel strongly that this part of what SCV-CAMFT offers is quite vital and noteworthy, and hope it continues for many years to come. I also hope that those of you reading this article will consider recommending this group to those who may be looking for this validation and mirroring. From my experience, it is very helpful for those who attend.

The lesson for me is that by contributing a small amount of time and effort, the rewards can be immeasurable. The experience of leading this group for so many years has proven this to be true.

Jamie Moran, LCSW, CGP, is a long time member of SCV-CAMFT. He specializes in long term psychodynamic group therapy, consults with therapists about groups and teaches aspects of groups in communities at large as well as being on the faculty of The Psychotherapy Institute's Group Therapy Training Program in Berkeley. Jamie has a private practice in Menlo Park. His website is jamiemoran.com.