8 Must-Know Tips for New Therapists
Are you a new therapist who’s feeling lost, nervous, and overwhelmed or having a hard time trusting yourself? This post is for you! Today, I’m going to share eight helpful tips for therapists who are just getting started in their field. By applying these tips to your practice and life, you’ll be well on your way to thriving in your role as a therapist.
- Be confident in your skills
You’re a licensed therapist for a reason—you worked for this! The skills you’ve acquired through school are a great foundation on which you can continue to grow. Use what you’ve learned and take solace in the fact that even the most experienced therapists were new at some point. You’ll gain more knowledge, confidence, and expertise each and every day.
- Understand that not every client is a good match
If a client chooses not to work with you, don’t take it personally. There could be a number of reasons why they made their decision. Perhaps they found another therapist closer to their home or someone who specializes in a specific problem they have. Or maybe they just didn’t feel a connection with you. Whatever the reason, their decision doesn’t reflect on your skills as a therapist. Just as a client can decide not to work with you, you can also decide not to work with a client if you feel that you can’t offer them the best care for any number of reasons.
- Set clear boundaries
While it may feel difficult to set boundaries with your clients, doing so is crucial. Setting boundaries creates a safe, therapeutic space for your clients and protects both you and your clients. Some ways you can set boundaries include limiting self-disclosure, being clear about when clients can and cannot contact you, setting guidelines around session times and fees, and always maintaining professional relationships with your clients.
- Get comfortable with making mistakes
As a therapist, you’re not expected to be perfect. You’re human, just like your clients, and humans make mistakes. Accept the fact that you’re going to make mistakes and embrace them when they happen. You learn from making mistakes, and if you’re afraid to make them, you can become so risk-adverse that you don’t learn and grow. Giving yourself permission to make mistakes allows you to develop the experience that shapes your personal style as a therapist.
- Get feedback and ask for help
It’s important to utilize your resources. Don’t be too proud to accept feedback or ask for help. There are a number of resources available to you. Reach out to your colleagues, ask your supervisor questions, join a support group for therapists, listen to podcasts, read books and articles, and do your own research. There are options everywhere!
- Take care of your whole self
Working in this field can be very rewarding, but it can also be exhausting. It might not feel natural to put your needs before others, but self-care is critical to your success and enables you to best serve your clients. Some ways to practice self-care include taking breaks and time off, maintaining your physical health, making time for relaxation, spending time in self-reflection, and even seeing a therapist yourself.
- Be yourself
Make an effort to show up as your true self in your sessions. Don’t try to imitate others or follow so many rules that you lose your own unique way of doing things. Clients are much more likely to connect with you when you’re being genuine and authentic, rather than forced or mechanical. Not to mention, pretending to be someone else all the time is exhausting!
- Never stop learning
The process of learning is and should always be a continuum. As therapists, we’re not only supporting the growth of our clients, but we’re also growing ourselves, both personally and professionally. Seek out new information and always be open to learning new things.
The takeaway
Feeling uncertain of yourself and a bit lost as a new therapist is normal. Just as with any other job, you’ll develop your skills and find your rhythm more and more each day. Have faith in yourself and give yourself some grace as you find your footing. By applying the tips from this article, your professional future will surely be bright.