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The secret evolution of therapists that nobody talks about in graduate school - from survival mode to seasoned professional, Maria and Liliana crack open the unspoken developmental journey that shapes our careers and lives as mental health professionals.

Remember that idealistic student who entered the field ready to change lives? Then reality hit - staggering student debt met with jobs (not careers) where you felt easily replaceable rather than valued. This episode compassionately maps the typical progression: freshly-licensed clinician in survival mode, licensed professional accumulating certifications, supervisor carrying tremendous liability, and eventually perhaps trainer or presenter sharing knowledge with others.

What makes this conversation truly revolutionary is the permission slip Maria and Liliana extend to every listener. You're allowed to change specialties. You're allowed to question your path. You're allowed to integrate your values, your understanding of social justice, and your life experiences into your professional identity. The days of therapists as "blank slates" are long gone - we recognize now that political, economic and social realities exist in the therapy room whether acknowledged or not.

Take a moment to appreciate how far you've come, assess whether your current position aligns with your values, and consider what might be next on your journey. Whether you're just starting out or decades into practice, remember that your professional evolution belongs to you - not to expectations, traditions, or economic necessities. Your next chapter awaits whenever you're ready to turn the page.

A Hero's Welcome Podcast © Maria Laquerre-Diego & Liliana Baylon

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Professional identity formation is a crucial yet often overlooked process for preventing burnout and achieving fulfillment in the mental health field.

• Burnout symptoms closely mirror those of an identity crisis
• Many clinicians experience burnout within just 2-5 years of practice
• Professional identity involves aligning personal values with professional work
• Transitioning from training to practice requires developing your voice
• Navigating insurance systems often creates value conflicts
• Mixed messages from employers create professional confusion
• Finding role models helps shape your professional identity
• A strong professional identity acts as a GPS for career decisions
• Professional identity formation is an ongoing process, not a destination
• Diversity in therapeutic approaches strengthens the field

If you're feeling lost or questioning your career choice, remember there is a place for you in this field, even if you have to create it yourself. Take time to explore your values and find the environments that support your authentic professional self.

A Hero's Welcome Podcast © Maria Laquerre-Diego & Liliana Baylon

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Liliana joins us to preview her two upcoming workshops at the SITH conference in Las Cruces this October, focusing on cultural humility in mental health and ethical supervision practices. Her unique approach combines her experience as a migrant, her passion for ethics, and her training across multiple supervision models to offer fresh perspectives that go beyond stereotypical checklists.

• Liliana will present two workshops: "Beyond Borders: Culturally Responsive & Ethical Care in Play Therapy and Mental Health" and "Supervising with Caution: Legal Pitfalls and Protections in Play Therapy"
• Unlike typical trainings that focus on stereotypes and checklists, Liliana brings dialogue, unique language, and lived experience to cultural humility
• As an MFT supervisor trained in multiple models, she approaches supervision through diverse lenses rather than a single framework
• Ethics serve as Liliana's self-care - she literally reads codes of ethics for fun and actively participates in revising them
• Both cultural competence and ethics require continuous learning as they constantly evolve
• Having ethical guidelines helps clinicians manage anxiety when facing challenging cases
• The SITH conference is filling up quickly - registration information is available in the show notes

Register for the SITH conference today to experience these workshops and connect with Liliana and other mental health professionals in Las Cruces this October.

https://www.anewhopeacademy.org/sith25

A Hero's Welcome Podcast © Maria Laquerre-Diego & Liliana Baylon