The After Hours ✨: A Free Community for Prelicensed Therapists
Grad school teaches you theory. It does not teach you how to find a supervisor, what to do when a client says something that scares you, or what to say to yourself at 10 p.m. when you wonder if you are any good at this.
That gap is exactly why I created The After Hours ✨. I decided to make The After Hours ✨ after a consultation call in January. I knew I wanted to make a difference to the prelicensed community and wasn’t sure how. During that consultation I had a lightbulb moment. It took a while to build but now its here.
If you have been wondering what it is, who it is for, and what actually happens inside, this post is for you.
What is The After Hours ✨?
The After Hours ✨ is a free, verified Discord community for prelicensed therapists. It is a place to ask questions, share resources, and feel less alone while you work toward your license.
It is open to all 50 states, and it is built around one idea: the in-between years are hard, and nobody should have to get through them by themselves. Different paths, same in-between.
Who is it for?
The After Hours ✨ is for anyone on the road to licensure, including:
Practicum students
Interns
Associates
Anyone working toward LPC, LMFT, or LCSW
You do not have to be in a certain state, a certain program, or a certain stage. If you are somewhere between your first practicum and your full license, you belong here.
Why is it verified?
Every person who applies is reviewed before they come in. That keeps the space full of real students and prelicensed clinicians, which makes it safer to ask honest questions and share real experiences.
Verification is simple. If you do not have a license number yet, you can verify with one of these:
A school email or student ID
A copy of your diploma (you can cover everything except your name and school)
Proof of your exam registration or board application
You only need to send one.
What is inside?
Here is a look at what you will find once you are in.
Real conversations. Members talk about the things grad school skipped, like imposter syndrome, burnout, supervision questions, and what it is like to see your first clients. There is an ask-me-anything space where you can bring your questions.
Career and business channels. There are spaces to talk about private practice, side income, and group practices, including how pay models like percentage splits and flat rates work and what to ask before you sign a contract.
Privacy and safety. Members share ways to protect their personal information, because it matters more than most of us realize once our names are out there.
The Counseling Binder. A growing library of clinical resources I built to help you in the room. It currently includes modules on crisis and safety protocols, anxiety disorders, depression, and trauma and PTSD, with more on the way. [CONFIRM WHO HAS ACCESS TO THE COUNSELING BINDER BEFORE PUBLISHING.]
The Unsupervised Hours. A monthly drop-in session for the community. It tends to be the second Tuesday of the month but varies based on where the calendar falls.
Group content ideas. A space where members brainstorm ideas for trainings, presentations, and conversations they would like to lead.
Do I have to post to belong?
No. Plenty of members read along and join in when they are ready. Some people lurk for weeks, and that is completely okay. You can get a lot from simply feeling connected.
Is it a replacement for supervision?
No. The After Hours ✨ is peer support and general education. It does not replace clinical supervision, and it does not give licensure board advice. Always go to your supervisor and your state board for those.
Is it really free?
Yes. It is free to join. There is also an optional paid Charter membership for people who want extra access.You never have to upgrade to be part of the community.
How to join
Fill out the short application.
Send your verification (a school email, student ID, diploma, or proof of exam or board application works if you do not have a license number).
Once you are verified, I will get you in. Welcome!
If you want a place where you can ask your questions, compare notes, and feel a little less alone, come join The After Hours ✨, a free community for prelicensed therapists. I would love to see you there. No knowledge gatekeeping, no gotchas. ✨
Frequently asked questions
What is The After Hours ✨? The After Hours ✨ is a free, verified Discord community for prelicensed therapists, including practicum students, interns, associates, and anyone working toward LPC, LMFT, or LCSW licensure.
Who can join The After Hours ✨? Anyone on the road to licensure in any of the 50 states. Everyone is verified so the space stays full of real students and prelicensed clinicians.
Do I need a license number to join? No. If you do not have one yet, you can verify with a school email or student ID, a copy of your diploma, or proof of your exam registration or board application.
This post is general education and not legal or licensure advice. Always confirm requirements with your state licensing board.
