What A Therapist Needs To Know

Use challenging moments to grow.

Many therapists experience difficult moments. It’s important to find a way to work through these challenges, so that you can continue to learn, grow, and evolve. Holding onto setbacks can be detrimental to the development of yourself. You might get negative feedback from a client at some point. These moments can cause you to experience some self-doubt. Diminishing comments, intentional or not, can make you feel silenced, ashamed, or uncertain. Rather than internalizing this, ask yourself and others questions.(other therapists and your supervisor) This will help your growth. Avoid silencing yourself or going against your instincts. Use these moments as catalysts for your own positive change, and leave the doubts behind.

Identify your core values and hopes.

Think about what you want to bring from your own experience, background, and identity in your work. What pathway do you want to carve out for yourself that’ll empower you as a therapist? You can begin to define your voice by identifying your core values and hopes as a professional.
Try reflecting on questions like:

• What are your reasons for becoming a therapist?
• What did you envision, anticipate, hope for in your practice?
• How are your reasons and hopes for your work connected to your core values?
• How have your personal experiences and understanding of who you are influenced your desire to work as a therapist?

Establish a support system.

Aside from working on a deeper understanding of yourself, it’s important to strengthen your relationships with others as well. While you are training to become qualified, it is easy to focus solely on your individual progress, experiences and development, but reaching out to others and establishing a support network can be a great way to develop your voice as a therapist.

Look to communities and spaces for support during the early stages of your career, like:

• Peers with shared experiences
• Colleagues with more experience then yourself
• Professional organizations, networks, and events
• Clinical supervisors

Choose support systems that nurture and affirm one or more aspects of your identity, such as  race/ethnicity, gender/sexual orientation, professional focus, your interests, and so on. These supporters can provide a depth of connection that allows you to gain a better understanding of yourself.

Understand that this is a very lonely profession and you will be on your own for a great deal of time which can be very hard to get used to at first, so the more support that you can get the better you are going to be.

Work through personal transitions.

The transition from a learning setting to that of a professional one does come with it unique challenges. Perhaps you miss the sense of community that you felt while you were studying in your academic program. It is not uncommon for you to doubt your confidence when you start to work on your own. It’s important to remember that relationships with past colleagues may shift, especially when you are developing your new career.

While this can be difficult, it can be an opportunity to find your place in the professional world. Try to view these personal transitions as opportunities for solidifying your identity as a therapist. Focus on finding a opportunity where the values of the organization and the colleagues that you are working with align with your own professional values and goals.

Prioritize Your Personal Development

While these tips can help you find your voice as a new therapist, this isn’t a one-time thing. The more you’re exposed to and learn from the experiences of your clients, the more your understanding of self and others will deepen. Prioritize your individual growth early in your career and commit to making it an ongoing journey.