A Mini-Guide to Developing Your Clinical Voice
By Pansy Ayala
In graduate school, we’re often presented with a list of dos and don’ts when it comes to being a clinician. These expectations for how we should present and conduct ourselves clearly need to exist to ensure that we’re following ethical guidelines and providing our clients with the best and appropriate care.
But how does what we learn in school and what is expected of us from our profession translate into being a good clinician? What unique combination of qualities and strengths can you bring into a therapeutic relationship?
As I’ve become more comfortable as a clinician over the last 15+ years, I’ve seen the benefits of showing up authentically and developing and using my own clinical voice. Your clinical voice sets the therapeutic tone with a client and can involve the way you speak, what words you use, the tone of your voice, your overall demeanor, and the way you present yourself.
Developing and using your own unique and genuine clinical voice helps build rapport with clients, set appropriate boundaries to provide a safe and supportive environment for your client, and, in my opinion, allows you to do your best work.
Here are some steps to take and things to consider when developing your clinical voice with clients.
Address Imposter Syndrome
The dreaded Imposter Syndrome! Do you persistently feel less than good enough and doubt your abilities to do the job that you were hired to do? Do you feel afraid that someone’s going to find out that you’re a fraud and that you’re actually nowhere as good of a clinician as you claimed to be when they hired you?
Or perhaps you constantly compare yourself to others in your field or attribute success to luck or things outside of your control? Do you hold yourself to very high standards which often leave you feeling disappointed in yourself and further fuels your feelings of inadequacy?
Well, you’re not alone. Experiencing Imposter Syndrome, or parts of it, is extremely common and happens to most of us at some point in our lives and careers. However, addressing imposter syndrome will help you to develop your clinical voice by allowing yourself to feel confident in your work, show up authentically, and grow as a clinician.
Talk about your experience and feelings in individual and group supervision or in consultation with your peers and coworkers. It’s almost a guarantee that someone is experiencing or has experienced the same phenomenon as you and can relate or even offer suggestions to work through it.
I’d also suggest addressing imposter syndrome in your own therapy. This gives you the opportunity to get to the root of the problem, explore ways to work through it, and also helps you grow as a clinician as you’ll have a deeper understanding of what it feels like to be vulnerable and on the receiving end of a therapeutic relationship.
Be Authentic
As a new clinician, I remember feeling like it was sometimes hard for me to be myself in the therapy room. I wanted to do my best but worried that clients would perceive me to be too young and inexperienced (both professionally and in life) to be of any help. There were times that I felt unsettled as I felt both like I knew what I was doing but also like I didn’t know what I was doing at all. These growing pains were a part of my professional journey to develop and use my clinical voice.
There are definite professional boundaries and ethics that must be maintained but the rest of your experience as a clinician can be uniquely yours. Be authentic. Build a relationship with your clients in a way that feels natural to you. Use the words that align with your own personality and style. Show up in a way that feels good to you.
Yes, follow the necessary rules and always do what’s in the best interest of your client. But there is always room for you to show up authentically as yourself.
Speak Up and Take Risks in Sessions
I’m sure many therapists can relate to times that you wanted to speak up in sessions or to try a new intervention but didn’t for fear of making a mistake or seeming like you don’t know what you’re doing. This hesitancy is natural, especially when you are first starting out as a clinician, but it’s important to be able to explore any possible barriers to your professional development.
Though you must always use your best clinical judgment, speak up and take risks! There are many ways to show a client that you empathize with them, validate their feelings and experiences, and reflect back that you have heard what they have shared. How can you use your strengths, skills, personality, and passion to fully engage with a client?
The reality is that at some point you probably will make a mistake or an intervention you tried may not play out the way you think it will. However, those sessions may end up being some of the best learning opportunities for both you and your client. You won’t know what it will feel like to speak up or try something new until you do it and you can always go slowly and pivot if needed.
Developing your clinical voice is an important part of professional development for a clinician. Being at ease with yourself will enhance the way you interact with clients and help you continue to build the confidence you need to best serve your clients.
How we can help
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Author Bio
Pansy Ayala is a licensed therapist with Catalyss Counseling and specializes in working with professionals and parents who are experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and/or relationship issues. She uses a holistic, individualized approach to better understand who you are, what areas of your life you find problematic, and how you can reach your goals.
