Why Every Therapist Needs a Consultant (Even After Licensure)

By Jenn Bovee, LCSW, CRADC, CCTP II, CCHt
EMDRIA Certified Therapist & EMDRIA Approved Consultant

I remember the day I received my license. After years of graduate school, practicum hours, internships, and that nerve-wracking licensing exam, I finally had those coveted letters after my name. I was officially a therapist. The relief was overwhelming, but so was something else I hadn't expected: the sudden realization that now the real learning would begin.

Like many newly licensed clinicians, I assumed consultation was something I'd eventually leave behind. It was a requirement to get through, a hoop to jump through on the path to independent practice. But five years into my career, I can say with certainty that some of my most valuable professional growth has happened not in those early supervised years, but in the consultation relationships I've chosen to maintain long after I was required to.

There's something almost taboo about admitting you still need guidance after licensure. We're supposed to be the experts now, right? We're the ones people turn to for answers. But here's what I've learned: the therapists who continue to seek consultation aren't the ones who don't know what they're doing. They're the ones who know exactly how much they still don't know.

Every week, I walk into my consultation group with cases that have me stumped. Not because I'm incompetent, but because human beings are endlessly complex, and no graduate program, no matter how comprehensive, can prepare you for every scenario you'll encounter. That client who presents with what seems like straightforward anxiety but whose trauma history is slowly revealing itself in unexpected ways? The couple where one partner's newfound sobriety is shifting the entire dynamic of their relationship? The teenager whose depression might be masking something else entirely? These are the moments when consultation becomes invaluable.

What strikes me most about consultation post-licensure is how different it feels from supervision. There's no power differential, no evaluation hanging over your head. It's purely about becoming a better clinician. My consultant doesn't judge me for not knowing something; she helps me figure it out. When I bring a case where I feel stuck, we explore it together. Sometimes she offers a different theoretical framework to consider. Other times, she simply asks the right questions that help me see what I was missing.

I've noticed that therapists who embrace ongoing consultation share certain qualities. They're curious rather than defensive. They view challenges as learning opportunities rather than personal failures. They understand that seeking input doesn't diminish their expertise; it enhances it. These clinicians consistently provide better care to their clients because they're not trying to figure everything out in isolation.

The practical benefits are obvious. Consultation helps prevent burnout by providing a space to process difficult cases and challenging emotions. It offers fresh perspectives when you're too close to a situation to see it clearly. It keeps you current with new approaches and research. But beyond the practical, there's something deeper that consultation provides: it reminds you that you're part of a profession, not just practicing alone.

Therapy can be an isolating profession. We spend our days in small rooms, holding space for others' pain, carrying stories we can never fully share. Without colleagues to bounce ideas off, to remind us that we're human too, it's easy to lose perspective. Consultation creates connection in a field that can sometimes feel very lonely.

I think about my medical doctor, who regularly consults with specialists about complex cases. I think about attorneys who collaborate with colleagues on challenging legal questions. In most professions, seeking expert input is standard practice, not a sign of weakness. Yet somehow in mental health, we've created this narrative that once you're licensed, you should have all the answers.

The truth is, the best therapists I know are the ones who are constantly learning, constantly questioning, constantly seeking to improve. They read research, attend trainings, and yes, they maintain consultation relationships. They understand that their licensure isn't a destination; it's the beginning of a lifelong journey of professional development.

My consultation group has become one of the most valuable parts of my professional life. We challenge each other, support each other, and hold each other accountable to the highest standards of care. When I'm struggling with a particularly difficult case, I know I have a place to take it. When I'm considering a new treatment approach, I have colleagues who will help me think it through. When I'm dealing with my own countertransference or professional challenges, I have peers who understand.

This isn't about dependency or lack of confidence. It's about recognizing that good therapy happens in a community, even when the actual sessions happen behind closed doors. It's about understanding that our clients deserve therapists who are committed to continual growth and learning. And it's about acknowledging that the moment we think we have nothing left to learn is the moment we stop being effective clinicians.

So to my fellow therapists, especially those who, like me, once thought consultation was just a stepping stone to independence: consider making it a permanent part of your practice. Find a consultant whose approach resonates with you. Join a consultation group. Create informal peer consultation relationships. Make professional growth an ongoing priority, not just something you do when you're required to.

Your clients will benefit from your commitment to excellence. Your practice will be strengthened by the support and accountability. And you'll find, as I have, that some of your most profound professional insights come not from working alone, but from working together.

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