Daf,
I hear ya sister!
For the first 5-8 years of my program it was ALL conference approved. I was afraid to look at anything else because they told me what would work! Only now will I explore other writers. And I am a reader and I am a reader of the thinkers. But in the beginning I did what I was told.
Boo...that base has carried me far! Stick with the program...get your legs. And then maybe you can move on. Have you been to a meeting?
Hugs,
JT