The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy Special Series: Becoming a Therapist - After Graduation: Starting a Therapy Career on a Nontraditional Path - An Interview with Derek Isetti
After Graduation: Starting a Therapy Career on a Nontraditional Path - An Interview with Derek Isetti
In this Becoming a Therapist special series episode, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy check back in with Derek Isetti one year after his first appearance on the podcast. Now graduated from his MSW program, Derek reflects on the prelicensed phase of the journey, including navigating post-graduation registration requirements, taking the Law and Ethics Exam, and searching for supervised clinical work while maintaining a full-time academic career. This conversation explores what it really looks like to start a therapy career on a nontraditional timeline and path.
About the Guest
Derek Isetti, MSW, PhD, CCC-SLP is an Associate Professor at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. With a background in the performing arts, Derek is both a speech-language pathologist and a social worker pursuing licensure as a psychotherapist. His professional work spans academia, healthcare, and clinical training, offering a unique perspective on early-career development and prelicensed practice.
Key Takeaways
• What the prelicensed phase looks like after graduating from a master’s program
• Common challenges with registration, exams, and supervision requirements
• Searching for supervised clinical work on a part-time or nontraditional timeline
• Balancing another professional career while accumulating hours toward licensure
• Why supervision quality and fit matter during the early stages of practice
Find the full show notes and resources for this episode at https://mtsgpodcast.com
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Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits
Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/