Professional Development Consultation

One-on-one guidance from Niki Novak, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, for students and early-career therapists.

I hear from a lot of students and new clinicians asking about internships, supervision, and how to get started in DC. I love these conversations, and I can’t always say yes to everyone. Sometimes my team is full, and sometimes the question deserves more time than an email reply allows. I don’t want to leave anyone hanging, so I created this: dedicated, one-on-one time to think through your path together. Consultation is paid, which lets me protect the time to do it well, and the sliding scale keeps it accessible.

If you’re new to DC, or new to this field, I’d be glad to help you find your footing. You can read more about my background and clinical work [here].

Why I do this

When I started my career in DC in 2011, I had no idea where to begin. I had just finished graduate school in Philadelphia, I was starting fresh in a new city, and I knew almost no one. I searched the AAMFT directory for an Approved Supervisor and found exactly one name in the District, so I cold emailed anyone who might be willing to talk.

Several kind colleagues answered, and one became my mentor and supervisor. She nurtured me as a person, not just a clinician, helping me understand how my own history shaped my work. She also modeled advocacy and pushed me to find my own voice. I still consult with her today.

I found my way to Pathways to Housing, too, where colleagues took me under their wing and I learned the service systems and professional systems around our clients. It’s complex, and I’m glad I learned it with good people.

Looking back, what got me through those early years wasn’t a handbook. It was people. Feminist and relational-cultural therapy gave me language for that: we grow in connection. It’s how I try to mentor, too.

My practice grew gradually, and mostly by word of mouth. I’m one of a small number of AAMFT Approved Supervisors in the District, I’m closely connected to the therapy community here, and we run a clinical internship program, which many practices don’t. Together, those pieces have become a place where therapists can learn, find their style, and eventually build their own practices. I’m trying to be the guide I wish I’d had in 2011.

Who this is for

Graduate students, interns, and pre-licensed or newly licensed therapists, especially MFTs, in DC and the surrounding region. You don’t need to be connected to my practice.

What we can work on

Licensure and supervision

  • Mapping your path to licensure in DC (LMFT, LPC, or both) and understanding reciprocity

  • Finding and evaluating a board-approved supervisor

  • Understanding the DC Board’s processes and requirements

Getting started and getting hired

  • Getting hired as an unlicensed MFT in a city with no provisional license

  • Preparing applications, interviews, and endorsement letters

  • Evaluating job offers, pay structures, and supervision arrangements

  • Choosing a setting: agency, group practice, or private practice

  • Moving between states or transferring placements

Building a sustainable career

  • Starting a private practice, from entity setup to your first client

  • Building simple systems for documentation, billing, and scheduling

  • Quality improvement and keeping your work sustainable

  • Developing trainings and workshops

  • Long-term goals, including becoming a supervisor

Beyond the clinical work, I run the business side of my practice and bring experience from nonprofit work, training, and systems development. I’m not a lawyer, accountant, or insurance expert, so I’ll point you to the right professionals for legal and tax questions.

How I work

I draw on motivational interviewing, so you can expect more curious questions than directives from me. My goal is to help you get clear on your own path, not hand you mine.

I limit the number of consultations I take each month so I can give each person real attention. After you submit your intake, I’ll review it personally and think about what you’ve shared before we meet. Most of the time, I’m the right person for your question. Occasionally, someone else on my team or in my network is a better fit, such as a colleague who specializes in a particular population, setting, or license type. If that’s the case, I’ll tell you and point you to someone I trust.