Begin - A Therapy Practicum Program
Navigating Our Program : Like Learning to Swim in Open Water
Growth in therapy training isn’t linear—it’s a process of learning, adapting, and finding your footing in real-world practice. The swimming analogy helps bring this journey to life, making the challenges and support systems within Begin feel more tangible. It illustrates how you start with uncertainty, gain confidence through guidance, and eventually learn to navigate deeper waters with skill and resilience—while always having a community by your side.
The Analogy - Explained
Stepping into the Water – Committing to the Journey
Learning to swim begins with the decision to step in. Committing to a year-long group practicum is that first step—an acknowledgment that growth takes time, practice, and consistency.
At first, the water feels unfamiliar. The structure of weekly supervision, biweekly training, and readings acts like the shallow end—giving you space to adjust while building foundational skills.
You’re not expected to swim perfectly right away; you’re here to develop endurance, refine technique, and build trust in the process.
Learning to Float – Supervision as Your Lifeline
In open water, learning to float is crucial—it’s what keeps you from feeling overwhelmed. In therapy training, supervision is that lifeline.
Every weekly supervision session helps you stay buoyant, giving you space to process challenges, refine your approach, and prevent burnout.
When internship/clients/college feels too heavy or confusing, supervision ensures you don’t sink under pressure. It teaches you when to push forward and when to pause and reflect.
Finding Your Stroke – Integrating Learning with Practice
Once you’re comfortable floating, you start experimenting with movement. In Begin, your stroke develops through biweekly training and reading sessions—where you explore both the therapeutic and business aspects of practice.
Just as swimmers refine technique over time, you’ll learn, unlearn, and adapt your skills—whether it’s deepening your understanding of different therapeutic approaches or figuring out how to sustain yourself as a professional.
The more you practice, the more natural it feels.
Phase II
Navigating the Currents – Bringing Client Work into Supervision
Swimming in open water means dealing with unpredictable currents—sometimes things feel smooth, and other times, the waves are tough. Similarly, in therapy, client work brings real-life challenges into supervision.
Some sessions will feel rewarding, while others will leave you questioning yourself. But just like in swimming, resisting the current isn’t the answer—learning to move with it is.
Supervision helps you process struggles, adjust your approach, and build resilience so you can navigate these waves with confidence.
Swimming as a Team – Growing with a Group
No one learns to swim alone, and no therapist grows in isolation. Being part of a committed group for a year means you’re surrounded by people learning alongside you.
Some will swim ahead, showing you what’s possible, while others will be right beside you, sharing in the same struggles.
This sense of community turns individual growth into collective strength—where you have people to learn from, lean on, and celebrate progress with.
Trusting Yourself in the Water – Becoming a Confident Therapist
Over time, what once felt intimidating becomes second nature. You no longer overthink every movement—you trust your instincts. The same happens in therapy training.
By the end of Begin, you won’t just be staying afloat—you’ll be navigating deeper waters with confidence.
You’ll know when to push forward, when to rest, and most importantly, you’ll have the skills and support system to keep going