You graduated.
In the middle of a pandemic.
What's next?
Do you dream of running your own private MFT practice in Illinois?
The MFT Incubator might be for YOU.
We launch successful private practices!
Members of The MFT Incubator satisfy Illinois licensure requirements for clinical experience and supervision within an established family therapy practice, AND receive coaching from subject matter experts to write successful business plans while learning the entrepreneurial skills necessary to be a successful practice owner! Once licensed, members of The MFT Incubator have the opportunity to immediately open their own private practices and bring their clients with them!
Meeting Illinois MFT Licensing Requirements
Now that you have completed your academic training from a COAMFTE-accredited program, you are eligible for the first level of Illinois licensure as an "Associate Marriage and Family Therapist." This designation will put you in prime position to take the LMFT examination, once you fulfill the post-graduate requirements.
The State of Illinois gives candidates 2 - 5 years post-graduation to complete these requirements.
Clinical Experience
(1,000 face-to-face hours)
As a member of The MFT Incubator, your post-graduate clinical experience will take place at Prairie Family Therapy, a private practice that has been serving couples and families in the Chicago area since 1996. Members can anticipate seeing enough conjoint cases during their two year tenure to meet the State's licensing requirement.
Clinical Supervision
(200 hours)
Clinical supervision is integral to all COAMFTE-accredited MFT graduate programs and is a post-graduate requisite for licensure in Illinois. Members of The MFT Incubator receive weekly individual supervision from a seasoned expert, PLUS additional perks of peer supervision, community networking and ongoing support for special interest areas.
Work Experience
(3,000 hours)
Members manage their own schedules at The MFT Incubator, with flexibility to accommodate other opportunities that satisfy the State's post-graduate work experience requirement of 3,000 hours.
Prepare to Launch Your Private Practice
You've worked to establish solid clinical skills as a Marriage and Family Therapist, but where will you learn the skills to run a successful business?
The MFT Incubator provides its members with business coaching from subject-matter experts making sure your practice is legal, ethical and successfully yours!
You will learn:
Planning
SWOT Analysis
Implementation Strategy
Marketing
Brand Strategy
Ethical Promotion
Networking
Peer Supervision
Building Community
Accounting
Business Tax Structure
Third Party Payors
Ethical Practice
Risk Reduction
Telehealth & Technology
Specialization
Niche Identification
Advanced Training
FAQs
Am I qualified to apply to The MFT Incubator?
Applicants must:
be a graduate of a COAMFTE-accredited Master's program for Marriage and Family Therapy
have obtained or be in the process of obtaining the Illinois license designation of "Associate Marriage and Family Therapist"
be willing to submit to a background check
Membership is limited and highly selective in this specialized community.
When will I be able to take the LMFT exam?
According to Illinois licensing rules for Marriage and Family Therapists, candidates may apply for the exam no sooner than two years and no more than five, following completion of their first qualifying degree, and only upon completion of clinical experience, supervision, and work experience requirements. The MFT Incubator is designed to support completion of clinical experience and supervision within two years, providing the member adheres to the schedule set with their supervisor.
Does it cost anything to be a member?
There is NO fee to participate in The MFT Incubator; this is a two-year paid commitment in which members earn-as-they-learn.
Members are required to maintain their own malpractice insurance and are also strongly encouraged to maintain optional membership in professional organizations such as AAMFT, IAMFT and AFTA.
What is the time commitment?
Members receive weekly supervision and build a caseload that ensures completion of the State's clinical experience and supervision requirements, quicky increasing to 10-15 hours/week. There are also ongoing optional opportunities for training and community networking.
