What It's Like as a Newbie vs. Seasoned Therapist

What It's Like as a Newbie vs. Seasoned Therapist
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• What It's Like as a Ne...
This episode is inspired by a question from last week's video when someone asked about what differences I experienced as a new therapist compared to now. I thought I'd list out all the changes I've noticed here! What changes have you noticed as you've progressed in your career?
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This video is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field.
Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
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This video is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.

[@artrayus3]

Work through your insecurities in supervision! That's what it's for and if your clinical supervisor does not provide a comfortable setting for you feel open to discuss personal insecurities, find someone else. It's normal to have imposter syndrome as a new therapist, its normal to have doubts and question yourself. Finding good supports is crucial. Also, relax. Yes, you want to be professional and ethical, but that shouldn't come at the cost of being authentic and genuine and clients can tell when you're faking it. Just be you, because you are what your clients need.

[@noobshlasher5536]

This was very helpful.

[@Sylexist]

I have no idea if you will read this comment, Marie. But I have a session in 2 hours and I feel exactly the same flavour of anxiety you described. Just having those thoughts and feelings validated makes me feel so seen. So thank you thank you thank you.

[@garrettr3644]

okay, as a super close to graduation student, this might be the most relatable therapy video I've ever seen. Everything you're bringing up feels so real for me right now (especially the over-preparing thing haha), and I really appreciate your perspective here. This is truly such a helpful video. Thanks!

[@Michelle-st9yc]

Oh my gosh. As a seasoned therapist now I can relate to everything you said based on how you were as a new therapist. The one that really stands out is remembering how anxious I was before the client’s appointment. I also paced with nervous energy and wondered when I should contact the client after being late for their appointment. Now like you demonstrated, I take it as some “me” time and don’t feel anxious at all. Thank you for posting this. It made me realize how far I’ve come and how doing therapy is so much more enjoyable now.

[@versasdemialma]

going on my 10 years as well and omg I could relate to all of these...especially the over preparing for sessions. It was exhausting and yes more than half the time we end up going in a completely different direction based on client needs and not using all the preparation I just did.

[@JasnaCG]

"is there a reason that you're asking about my personal life?" LOLOLOL so relatable

[@jackems0181]

Hahaha the teeth pulling bit during consultation/ supervision had me lol'ing! Can relate to this video so much!! Thanks Marie!

[@sarahvang95]

As a new therapist, I relate to all of this.

[@initiativeplaytherapy88]

Definitely the thing about self disclosure. I used to stress about it so much. I don't go into too much detail about my life now, but if they ask me something, I'll answer it really briefly like: Client: Do you have kids? Me: Yes. Client: How many? Me: Just one. Client: Boy or girl? Me: Boy. If they're struggling with something that I'm personally familiar with, I might mention it. For example, if they have Tourettes and they're worried about what it means for their future, I'll mention briefly that I have it too. Something like that can help them see that their life isn't doomed to poverty and failure. They can still have a career, a family, friends, and a personal life even if they have a particular mental disorder.

[@kaylaz.hebebrand6491]

I feel so VALIDATED! I'm a new therapist and related so much to this!

[@takouhiejensen6205]

I love your niche! I'm so tired of worrying about whether or not I'm going to be getting eye rolls from my therapist if I mention having faith.

[@danaw2232]

Wow, this was exactly what I needed today! Thank you for having the courage to say what we're all feeling in some form. This is hard work we do, I'm glad you've created a little corner of YT for us to gather (in safe transparency). 💜

[@monsta.studio]

I am going through exactly everything you listed for newbie therapists...thank you for making this video.

[@wancheng89]

Thank you Marie for making us newbies feel seen!

[@tooljack4439]

Wow...Excellent video Marie! Thanks so much for sharing with us. BTW, the video production and editing is spot on. high quality.

[@laurieelwell7506]

Omg, I am seriously second guessing & Googling like crazy! I have only had 2 clients so far! 😅

[@jesserodriguezhammond1763]

This was a fantastic video. As a newbie, it felt like you wrote this based on what I am going through now. LOL. Thanks for the part about self-disclosure. I spoke with my supervisor about this a few months ago because I was taught that "the session is the client's session and not yours." So I said nothing, almost like your first clip about the dog. My supervisor said exactly what you said, and it really does help build a connection with the client. Now, I just need to heed some of your other advice. Thanks for your video.

[@ReneM246]

I once asked a counsellor to tell me about her garden in an attempt to pull myself out of a trauma flashback. She panicked and left me in the midst of it, she didnt realise she could have been very generic talking about sun and grass, i just needed help to not slide in my mind. She made it worse and acted like i was violating significant boundaries and being inappropriate and weird. I just didn't want to get lost in flashbacks

[@laurenwolfe7554]

Thanks for being so honest and relatable! I remember pacing as I waited for clients too. Now I’m like, let me answer an email or two. No biggie 😂

[@jessman8597]

Im just a client who was seeing a brand new therapist. It was a great experience for me, but I will never forget the mistake I made when I asked if she ever struggled to eat healthy while on vacation. That's the day I learned to never ask a therapist any question that might be even remotely personal.

[@cristallatus]

What did they say

[@jessman8597]

@@cristallatus "Therapy isn't about me so we should just focus on your experience." She later said not to take anything personally, but she will never tell any client anything about her other than education and credentials. In the end therapy became about her. Can't ask anything she deems personal, I need to make sure I don't cross her boundaries. Etc. I now realize that a therapist that is good with "healthy self disclosure" is a therapist I'm more comfortable with and will trust more. I can relax and focus on my issues instead of worrying about her feelings. (I refer to the therapist as "she" and "her" because I only see female therapists.) Maybe that's TMI.

[@user-wq9si5rk5j]

@@jessman8597 I agree with you on this for sure. I think for me it comes through by almost a sense of smoothness. Instead of the clinician saying something abruptly like how you describe "it isn't about me, its about you", having someone who is more relaxed and can work the statement into a question, or show understanding and empathy. For example: a different reply could have been "I completely understand your curiosity, and it can definitely be a bit of a struggle to keep up healthy eating while on holidays, however I also want to make sure we spend our time focusing predominantly on you during this session if that makes sense? You mentioned you struggle eating healthily while on vacation, could you tell me a bit more about this struggle? Just my opinion, what do you think?

[@jessman8597]

@@user-wq9si5rk5j That definitely wouldn't work. It's still the same thing. If I ask a question, then answer the question. How would a therapist respond to a client answering a question in that manner? If I ask my therapist a question, I really expect an answer. If they can't answer a simple question, I can't trust them. This is where trust is earned or destroyed.

[@Naijakourtney84]

I start my practicum /internship at a PP on Monday the 19 th I feel like I’m going to stick out like a sore thumb. I’ve been in the yes mode .. lol the newbie part of the video is me and I haven’t even gotten started lol

[@j.r.4354]

I'm starting in a few weeks. Yikes! I feel you ❤

[@mx.lucyfur]

One thing I like about measuring progress is keeping measures simple, and I've heard this in relation to writing for insurance as well. One thing to increase and one thing to decrease. As that shows a shift you can always revisit goals. Progress being measured by the incremental changes and informed by long-term goals but not rigidly held to them. It's kind of like progressive overload with weight training. And I love the bit about curiosity. Early in my internship I started to fall into a space of curiosity when I didn't know what to do. I think that willingness to "get lost together" has actually served me better than the idea that I'm prepped, primed, and know exactly what to do with a client. I originally clicked because I recognized the SOLER pose in the thumbnail and had to laugh. I remember those days of thinking I had to use the full SOLER pose at all times. But I also realized that looked so stiff and unnatural. Plus, you'd kill your back by the end of the day. It's a great tool to bring out when you want to present as super-engaged and in-tune with the client, but it's so unnatural that I can't believe how hard grad school programs push it as THE thing you must always do! Especially when they'll then go on to talk about mirror neurons without considering the idea of how our body language reflecting the client's can be applied with intention to create an open and relaxed atmosphere. Sadly, another case of how some good ideas when applied thoughtfully become institutional dogma as a holdover from the days when psychotherapy was done exclusively by old, white, cishet men from Ivy League backgrounds.

[@gretchenenglander8432]

Thank you so much for making this video! I’m in my pre-licensure stage and constantly worry if I’m a good counselor to my clients so it’s nice to remember that we all start somewhere 🥹

[@lovelymelanin9336]

Awesome job❤This was so helpful for me!

[@j.r.4354]

I just found my placement and wow, the imposter syndrome is strong! Thank you for this video. P.s. I don't know if you noticed that you matched the blue stripes pillow on your sofa when role playing about the puppy. Did you plan that?

[@tianamatson]

A lot of this was very validating for me. I'm in my last semester as an intern therapist. I've had a lot of anxiety about making sure I'm prepared for each session and as knowledgeable as possible. It's exhausting some times.

[@EvansCristi]

Thank you!

[@paigehansen6491]

I feel very seen after watching this video! 💖

[@psydrone8]

Cool video!

[@roneemillercounseling7231]

Have you had therapy? as that is most essential in showing up for your patients

[@danaw2232]

She talks about her therapy experience in an earlier video. Let's just enjoy a therapist who's being real and encourage her to continue making great content. 😊

[@lesleyatcofo]

Thanks for normalizing newness!

[@devin1053]

What is your strategy for affirming LGBT individuals whilst also uplifting the truth of Christ and scripture?

[@sssskkkkgggg]

It's sad, isn't it?

[@ShianneCoast]

Yeah I hit all of those in my internship lol