3 Lessons in Developing Yourself As a Therapist
By Kristen Dammer
When I look back in time, I can’t believe that it has been 13 years since I became an LCSW. Like my fellow therapists, I have learned so much along the way that is hopefully continuing to develop me into a competent therapist. I say hopefully, because I also believe that staying humble is helpful because there is always room for improvement and more to learn. This blog gives you 3 points to help with your development as a private practice therapist.
Manage the EBB and FLOW
Foremost, remember that private practice client flow will be variable. Planning for these ebbs and flows will help not only financially but also emotionally, as when scheduling is light, panic can set in. Depending on the population you work with and any other social variable out there, different months will be busier than others. Remember this happens and maybe ask yourself, “What’s good about this problem” so you can learn to enjoy the quiet times.
In years past, before COVID, private practice schedules seemed more predictable. Now, I’ve learned to tell myself to lean into more self-care on those lighter weeks and maybe spend a bit more time with marketing if needed. Planning for the influxes will help.
Find Your Niche
Finding your niche is also a very important piece of connecting with those clients that you serve best because this aligns your skill set and passion. As a therapist in private practice, finding your niche is essential for success and fulfillment. The more specific your niche, the better. These clients will find you because you have marketed specifically to them. Here are a few things to consider when creating your niche:
- Reflect on your passion and expertise
- Consider your strengths and interests
- What areas of therapy do you find most fulfilling and why?
- What are you good at that gives you confidence?
Create Your Ideal Client:
Creating your “ideal client” is important to help you find your niche, and then to market to your niche well. This can help direct clients who you do your best work with, right to your door (or computer). It’s not always easy to think in terms of a client, but once you can, it makes a difference in your marketing.
Which clients do you work with where the session just flies by? Which clients make you in session think “yes” this is why I became a therapist? Which clients are you excited to see in a session, which ones do you not look forward to seeing, and why? What makes you sad when you think about your day? What makes you excited when you think about your day? Think about demographics and backgrounds too, as you craft your “ideal client”.
Reflect on Your Competition:
What sets you apart from your peers and why? What do you bring that is unique that clients will search for? Think outside of the box.
Schedule Self Care Time
As a therapist, self-care is crucial for your well-being and professional effectiveness. Here are some ways to build self-care into your routine:
- Set an intention
- Start each goal with a self-care goal
- Chunk it down to one self-care goal if this is all that will fit into your schedule, at least it is something for you.
- Don’t compromise. Set firm boundaries to not self-care yourself.
- I know the thought process, “Just this time”, or “I’m too busy for self-care”. “I won’t enjoy it with all the list of to-dos.”
- Micro bits of self-care are valuable if this is all you have time for. Even just practicing self-care one day out of the week is helpful, but planning for bigger chunks is vital for your survival as a therapist.
These three areas, planning for the ebbs and flows, marketing to your niche, and building in self-care daily, are important to think about with private practice and your success as a therapist. Planning for the long term and developing yourself as a therapist is paramount to your success.
If you are seeking clinical consultation as part of your self-care as a therapist, look no further! Firelight Supervision offers virtual clinical consultation in group and/or individual formats so you can get the support you need for your clients to thrive. Schedule a Free Phone Consultation today to get started!
How we can help
If you are interested in working with a clinical supervisor who understands the challenges of being a therapist with ADHD, check out Kristen Dammer’s Consultation Group for ADHD Therapists, a safe space for therapists for ADHD to discuss clinical cases and your growth and development as a therapist.
Author Bio
Kristen Dammer is a clinical supervisor, therapist, and blogger with Firelight Supervision and Catalyss Counseling. Kristen specializes in trauma, ADHD, and perinatal counseling with adults and is trained in EMDR. Kristen enjoys providing clinical supervision and consultation to beginning to advanced clinicians in private practice, hospital, and agency settings.
