On Being a New Therapist

By: Mynika Collins, MS, LPC-Intern

Are you a new therapist trying to figure out what exactly you are doing?

Look no further.

In this blog post, I am going to share some words of encouragement and a few tips to assist you along your new journey. Being a new therapist can be overwhelming and filled with several unknowns. Here are some tips/words of encouragement:

Be confident in your skills. You are in this profession for a reason. The skills you acquired in grad school are a great foundation, hone in on them and believe that you can do it. You are a knowledgeable and capable therapist!
Utilize your resources. There are resources everywhere and many of them are free. Reach out to your colleagues, ask your supervisor questions, and do your research. Listen to podcasts, read books/articles, watch YouTube videos, search hashtags on Instagram and other social media platforms. Resources are everywhere!
Have patience. Easier said than done, I know. Be patient with yourself and your clients. It’s a journey for everyone. Take it one step at a time, one day at a time. The best is yet to come. Enjoy your journey. Everyone struggles.
Take care of your whole self. Everyone talks about self-care and the importance of it, so we know it’s a big deal. If we aren’t taking care of ourselves, it’s impossible to take care of others. Make your wellness a priority.
Lean on your support system. Reach out to those that you feel closest to. Having the support of close friends, family, colleagues, and your supervisor is very beneficial when times get overwhelming. As therapists, we must learn to advocate for ourselves and ask for what we need during tough times.
Be yourself. There is no other way to put this. Be the best you that you can be! Don’t try to imitate anyone else because that would be too hard. Be your authentic self and your clients will appreciate it. And more importantly, you will appreciate it. There’s so much beauty in being who you are, always remember that.
Never stop learning. Self explanatory right? We learn everyday from our clients, our supervisors, and our colleagues. The process of learning is and should always be a continuum. As therapists, not only are we walking alongside our clients and their growth but we are also growing as well. We are growing both personally and professionally.

As a new therapist, I am learning everyday the importance of trusting the process. Our clients deserve us at our best, so remember to take care of yourself. I would like to leave you with a quote from a book I am reading called “On Being a Therapist” by Dr. Jeffrey Kottler, “Whether we like it or not, the decision to be a therapist is also a commitment to our own growth.” To know that I am continuously growing as an individual makes the journey a little more magical. I hope that each and every new therapist will recognize the beauty in that.

Curious about what an LPC-Intern is? Check this out.