12/07/2021
Hi all! It’s been a little bit of time but today is special for me. Today marks three years that I left my full time job to work for myself in private practice. It was an exciting, terrifying, exhilarating and liberating move. Last night, I was reflecting on the last three years I have spent doing this work. The biggest challenges I struggle with working solo are being isolated and not receiving feedback. When you work alone, it’s hard to know if what you’re saying makes sense or if you are being effective. There are often times I wonder if I’m actually helping anyone. I question myself because of those clients who didn’t come back after a few sessions (yes, people ghost their therapist) as well as the few who told me they wouldn’t be returning because it wasn’t a good fit (yes, this hurt my ego though I know it shouldn’t). Even therapists can get stuck focusing on the negative thoughts and not look at the positive. When this happens, I utilize my skills and challenge those thoughts. I think about the clients who return, week after week, month after month. The clients who reached out to me after receiving my name as a recommendation from their mother’s co-worker, neighbor, friend, or someone else they knew. The parents who sent me handwritten notes thanking me for helping their child. The client who tells me they were forced to come see me but are glad they did. The clients who say “this was so helpful,” “I can hear you in my head sometimes,” and my favorite “I hate you, you’re so annoying” with a laugh because I know them so well. I am so grateful people let me into their lives, sharing their sadness, secrets and triumphs. It truly is an honor. Thank you to my clients for making me not just a better therapist but a better human being. 💚
