Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

 

First Up, Breathe.

The Imposter Syndrome is a thing, but it’s a normal thing. Chances are, it’s going to show up when you start a private practice, but here’s the weird thing, it will show up even if you’ve already been doing therapy in an agency or group setting. There’s something about being out there on your own that leaves you wondering if you’re worth the fee that you’re charging.

The Imposter Syndrome shows up because we care about the work we are doing, and we want to provide our clients with excellent quality therapy. We struggle with doubts because we have integrity and take our profession seriously. So, breathe. You’re normal, and more than that, you care about what you are doing. It can even act as motivation for us to strive to provide our best work and seek out training to improve our skills. This is a very good thing.

Connect with Other Therapists.

There’s nothing like getting some reassurance from other colleagues who have been through the same thing. They can help normalize your doubts and give you some sustaining encouragement right now that will help with overcoming Imposter Syndrome.

Look, as therapists, one of our ethical responsibilities is to seek out consultation with other therapists to help us think through cases and ethical dilemmas. This process can be a wonderful way to reassure yourself that you are, in fact, doing good work and to help quiet those doubts.

Reality Check Your Doubts.

The Imposter Syndrome likes to prey on our fears about our inadequacies, but others rarely see us in the same light. We see our flaws; they see our accomplishments. Our clients especially tend to view us as experts.

Take a moment to breathe and remember everything you’ve done to get here: how much you’ve already accomplished in your journey thus far. You’re in private practice because you’ve successfully completed every hoop you had to jump through to get here. You know far more than you feel like you do right now, and you do, in fact, know what you’re doing.

 

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome is not going to happen overnight. It’s going to keep showing up for a little while. Just breathe into it and allow it to be present. It will pass. In the meantime, embrace this little anecdote written by Neil Gaiman.

“Some years ago, I was lucky enough invited to a gathering of great and good people: artists and scientists, writers and discoverers of things.  And I felt that at any moment they would realize that I didn’t qualify to be there, among these people who had really done things.

On my second or third night there, I was standing at the back of the hall, while a musical entertainment happened, and I started talking to a very nice, polite, elderly gentleman about several things, including our shared first name. And then he pointed to the hall of people, and said words to the effect of, “I just look at all these people, and I think, what the heck am I doing here? They’ve made amazing things. I just went where I was sent.”

And I said, “Yes. But you were the first man on the moon. I think that counts for something.”

And I felt a bit better. Because if Neil Armstrong felt like an imposter, maybe everyone did. Maybe there weren’t any grown-ups, only people who had worked hard and also got lucky and were slightly out of their depth, all of us doing the best job we could, which is all we can really hope for.”

I think that pretty much says it all.

xoxo, Jennifer

 

 

To find out more crucial information about the steps you need to take when starting your private practice check out The Master Course, Everything You Need To Know About Private Practice But Didn’t Know To Ask. To get the same information in more affordable, bite size pieces, don’t miss the Mini Courses!

 

I love helping therapists build successful private practices! For more great information like this to help you build yours, make sure to check out the Master Course and the Mini Courses. I’m here to support you and I want to help you reach your dream!

If you need some individual help with all of this, I’m here for you! I offer mentoring services for those who want some personal attention to help them build their successful private practice. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me. You can find out more on the Mentoring Groups page.

 

COME JOIN THE FB COMMUNITY! Starting a private practice is hard. The My Private Practice Builder FB community is a place to get support, encouragement, and awesome information to help you embrace this journey. You can do it! Come join us here.

 

Hey You. Are you struggling when it comes to talking with clients about money? I feel you. It’s one of the hardest parts of being out there on our own in private practice. I’ve got your back! I’m hitting you up with a free copy of one of the worksheets from my Master Course! Check it out, it will help you give yourself permission to make money and charge what your worth. Just sign up in that handy box below!