FROM BURNT OUT TO THRIVING
Maybe your Residency was also brutal?
Like many therapists, I found that learning how to be a therapist was made far more difficult than it needed to be. I wanted to understand how to help people, how to actually be effective in the room. But what got in the way wasn’t a lack of passion or even a lack of theory. It was all the behind-the-scenes parts of the job that no one really prepared me for.
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I wanted to spend my supervision hours focused on the real work of therapy like talking through difficult client issues, exploring interventions, and becoming a stronger clinician. Instead, I often found myself using that time to ask how scheduling works, what to do about a late fee, how to manage client risk, or whether my documentation was correct. Supervision became more about figuring out how to function than how to grow.
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When I opened my group practice focused on residency training, I saw the same challenges showing up again for new therapists. Only this time, there were even more stressors. Residents today are often expected to work virtually, independently, and immediately after graduating. When I finished grad school, I had years before I stepped into outpatient private practice. Now, residents are expected to make that transition right away.
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The Virtual Residency was created in response to all of this. It’s here to support residents as they navigate the realities of clinical work. It’s here to ease the burden on supervisors who are doing their best with limited time. And it’s here for those of us who remember how hard our own journey was and want to make it better for the ones just starting out.
More from Kristen Leigh, LCSW
Mission
The Virtual Residency (TVR) exists to bridge the gap between academic education and real-world clinical practice by providing residents with the foundational tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive. TVR is also a collaborative project—built by therapists, for therapists—bringing together experienced clinicians who are passionate about guiding and shaping the next generation. Through practical education, mentorship, and community, we support both residents and contributors in building a stronger, more sustainable future for the mental health field.
Vision
We envision a future where resident therapists are no longer left to figure things out on their own. Instead, they receive the well-rounded support they need to grow into skilled, confident clinicians. In this future, residents use their supervision hour to explore clinical cases in depth, while spending just 30 minutes a week with the TVR to build the essential, real-world skills that supervision doesn’t always have time to cover. With both resources working in tandem, residents develop a strong foundation, feel more grounded in their role, and move through their early careers with clarity, competence, and confidence. The field becomes stronger because our newest therapists are better prepared.