Therapy for New Therapists
Empathetic, non-judgmental support as you balance becoming a therapist and being human
Sometimes we are so focused on the journey of becoming a therapist we forget to spend time being ourselves.
You want to be a therapist because you want to help others live their best lives. You are motivated, passionate, and skilled. You give of yourself to help others grow. This field is different from many others because to be successful, it requires giving a part of yourself. It requires you to know yourself on a deep level - who you are, how you experience your clients, what you bring with you into the therapy room. It also requires you to take on the weight of others' stories, while still living your own life.
You might be feeling overwhelmed with balancing the things happening in your world, while holding space for the experiences of your clients and you need somewhere to decompress. Maybe, as you learn more about relationships and mental health, things from your past or present are starting to sit a little differently with you and you need a space to process. You might have been surprised by what clients are the most difficult for you to work with or what situations have been activating to you and you are wanting to better understand why these reactions exist for you.
If you are in school, you are balancing knowing who you are as a therapist while learning about theories and interventions, writing papers, and wondering if you are going to meet your hours in time to graduate. You might be working a job or assistantship outside of class and clinical work and are still navigating your personal relationships on top of everything else. Thoughts like “Can I really do this?” or “How am I going to keep up?” or “Am I really cut out for this?” might be creeping into your mind.
Even after graduation, the questions and decisions keep coming. Maybe you are navigating what setting is the best fit for you to practice in. Or you are trying to figure out what types of clients you like to work with, what it means to be a professional in the field, how to find work life balance, and navigating self-of-the-therapist topics as they come up that maybe you didn’t even know you had. You might feel like an imposter sometimes and wonder “Am I really cut out for this?” or “Why are people coming to me with their problems when I hardly know how to manage my own”.
And on top of everything you have going on professionally, you are also managing your own stressors and relationships. Life doesn’t stop just because you are working on your career and finding your footing as a therapist. But trying to balance everything at once does make it a bit more complicated.
The bottom line is - you have a lot going on. It is okay to need a place to process and grow.
You deserve a compassionate, non-judgmental, supportive place to replenish and nurture yourself.
Sometimes we need a space to not be a therapist and just be a person. A place where you can be real and vulnerable, be seen without worry about being judged or feeling not good enough, for growth and healing and figuring things out. Then therapy for new therapists is that space.
Having your own space as you navigate the process of becoming a therapist and early career milestones can provide you with a place to not have to be the one with the answers, strategies, or techniques. It provides you with a place where you can simply be. To nurture and invest in yourself, to find healing and growth, and to promote wellness in your life.
This space can help your day to day feel a little brighter and more manageable. It can help to provide you with the tools and resources for a long and successful career that won’t lead to burnout. You deserve to receive the same support, compassion, and care that you give to your clients on a day to day basis.
Let me let you in on a secret - Most therapists see a therapist at some point.
I know that it can be hard to start therapy when you are a therapist. There is a unique version of shame that we can experience when we know the tools and strategies, and still struggle to apply them to our own lives. It is hard to reach out for support.
I know that it takes an extra step of courage to seek therapy as a therapist and open up to another professional in your same field. I believe it is essential that this space is one of non-judgement, compassion, and support. I want you to have a space where you feel comfortable being vulnerable and real. Whatever you are experiencing - whether personally or professionally - is welcome here. I am glad that you are brave and considering giving yourself the gift of therapy that you give to others.
Therapy for New Therapists can help you to :
Process self-of-the-therapist issues as they arise for you
Build confidence and self-efficacy in this new career
Develop strong habits and coping skills to prevent against compassion fatigue and burnout
Explore your experiences and emotions in a space without judgment
Be a person beyond the therapist and navigate whatever you are experiencing in your personal life
“Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you doesn’t mean you can, should, or need to do it alone.” -Lisa Olivera
Frequently Asked Questions about Therapy for New Therapists
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Yes! Many graduate programs encourage (and some even require) students who are in the process of learning to be therapists to engage in therapy. Part of learning to be a therapist is learning about who we are, what we bring into the room, and managing all of the self-of-the-therapist experiences we have. Whether you are in the coursework stage of your program or are actively seeing clients in practicum or internship, I am happy to be a support to you as you start the path towards becoming an amazing therapist.
Please note, if you are currently a graduate student at CSU or CU Denver, I cannot be your therapist as I frequently supervise practicum/internship at these schools
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Yes, I would be happy to work with you at any point in your career. I have experience working with therapists that are brand new to the field or who have been working in the field for many years.
I specifically market towards new therapists given my experience in university training programs, supervision experience, and expertise in navigating professional/life transitions. However, this expertise is still applicable to anyone in a helping profession and I can assist you to navigate potential career changes, processing self-of-the-therapist experiences, preventing burnout or compassion fatigue, and supporting you in your personal life as well.
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It takes a lot of courage to seek therapy - and particularly so as a therapist. This space is a space for you to take off your therapist hat and just be human. Therapists have lives too and it can be hard to admit that even though we have the knowledge and skills and can support others, it can be hard to know the answers for ourselves. We can explore whatever is coming up for you and the struggles you are facing, whether that be related to life, work, or the intersection of the two.
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If you would like to work with me but cannot afford my fees as a pre-licensed therapist, I offer a few reduced fee spots. Reach out to me and we can discuss what this might look like.
