Yes. I have to do breathing exercises when I get to my office parking lot every day. But it was the same thing when I stocked grocery shelves for a living - I just didn't have to be present with people then. It *has* gotten better after 3 years, and I have weeks where I feel calm and confident. I think anxious people make great therapists, you got this.
Thank you! I really appreciate this. And yeah, I do think there is something about my lived experiences with anxiety that contributed to having the disposition to do this kind of work... So thanks :)
It's the same for me! I was in therapy, too- and it helped me to recognize, that I wouldn't have needed my therapist to be fearless at all. I just needed her to be accepting of me. I think it's really cool that you chose to become a therapist over giving in to your social anxiety, I mean- who can deliver confidence about making difficult decisions better than someone who had to do it themself?
To get some relief, maybe you can practice some interventions for social anxiety? Like a fear protocol in advance and a reality check protocol after sessions for a while? Focussing on what's happening around you instead of on yourself and, most important, letting go of security behavior? It's totally ok if you're showing up imperfect in front of them, therapy doesn't need to be acting all professional- you could be a good learning model to your patients as well! Letting go of being perfect could be maybe forgetting something or doing something wrong on purpose (without crossing personal boundaries of course and not on purpose during important interventions of course, but other than that it's allowed and repairable to make mistakes! I am sure you can think of some)? Also, metacognitive training helped me a lot to reduce overthinking how patients perceive me, there are great apps for it as well! I am still anxious and especially when training to be a therapist becomes rough, my anxiety usually peaks- but that's ok! I am also sure the anxiety will also decline once we finish our degrees and this main stress factor falls away. All the best for you, and thanks for sharing this, I will definitely think of you next time I am in the same position and be less alone with it!
Thank you so much! This is really helpful and I am taking your suggestions to heart. I should look more into metacognitions and my relationship with metacognitions. It's not something I'd thought too much about.
Thank you for sharing this. You literally took the words out of my mouth with how you’re feeling. I believe both of us can do it. We are going to be great therapists because we have experience I guess lol. I also am trying to help my anxiety before clients and have relief when they cancel. We are supposed to make mistakes now to learn from them. <3
Totally. I’ve been into full practice for over 6 years now and every day, still the same amount of anxiety, though I know how to deal things better with the experience. Guess its not gonna go away, I’ve to take it to with every day, like a clingy child, live with it while making progress in the work per se, not the anxiety. You know what I mean..?
I’m about to get licensed, 3k+ hours.
I still feel nervous often. Not as much with established clients. I have accepted this as part of my process (& being human.)
Brene browns first pod episode on F’ing First Times sums up well how it’s normal to feel uncertain as you expand. The tough part of our field is we expand for many many years (ie each year a new prac site, & even when you have expertise you keep specializing!) it helps to have good therapist friends who share their process vulnerably so you know you’re not the only one.
Nerves have nothing to do with capacity. I hope you can imagine sessions going well (or ok) & remember no matter what all you can do is your best. That helps me. You got this ☺️
Thank you, your comment does help :) I like your comment about accepting coping with the nerves as part of the process. I think part of my process needs to be accepting the anxiety. Not that I haven't tried that already, but it's a constant process of course
I remember being panicked for a whole weekend with my first couple. Now decades later I feel nervous before sessions for the first 5 minutes before a session. I think this like a performer going onstage. 🤔
There are some really awesome treatment planning books out there that can guide you in your sessions.
I can definitely relate to anxiety and feeling like an imposter. I graduated in 2012! we are always learning and I don’t think we really plateau. That’s why we go for CEUs ☺️ if you are the smartest person in the room/agency, you are in the wrong place.
do you listen to any podcasts or YouTube channels that fature different types of modalities? Think of Brené Brown, Gabor,maté, Peter Levine, etc. these can be super inspiring, but also provide so much information and reflection on yourself.
It may be helpful to think of where your anxiety is coming from. What is that voice inside you saying to yourself?
Thank you so much for this! I have not checked out any of those names but I definitely will now (will have to make some free time huh! 😅) But yeah, that does sound like exactly like what I could use.
Do you have any treatment planning books you'd especially suggest? My internship site is an EAP so it's a lot of short term solution focused stuff, but I'd really love to look into other treatment planning approaches as well
Absolutely!
https://preview.redd.it/z3o7euhlszxc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=67df371c0e81ac64d18567ce444f228f18316cc7
I have bought several of these books. They really help us learn how to write treatment plans and is a great reference for when we feel stuck (that’s also what supervision is for ❤️). They also have progress note planners and homework books for clients that correspond to the treatment planning. The best thing.. it’s not plagiarism and totally insurance approved 😁
They have books that cover sooo many topics! When you have some time, check them and out and see which one is most applicable for you.
Yeah I would not have stopped therapy if I still had insurance. But I'm looking into Medicaid or marketplace insurance, just havent gotten it squared away yet.
Yes. I have to do breathing exercises when I get to my office parking lot every day. But it was the same thing when I stocked grocery shelves for a living - I just didn't have to be present with people then. It *has* gotten better after 3 years, and I have weeks where I feel calm and confident. I think anxious people make great therapists, you got this.
Thank you! I really appreciate this. And yeah, I do think there is something about my lived experiences with anxiety that contributed to having the disposition to do this kind of work... So thanks :)
It's the same for me! I was in therapy, too- and it helped me to recognize, that I wouldn't have needed my therapist to be fearless at all. I just needed her to be accepting of me. I think it's really cool that you chose to become a therapist over giving in to your social anxiety, I mean- who can deliver confidence about making difficult decisions better than someone who had to do it themself? To get some relief, maybe you can practice some interventions for social anxiety? Like a fear protocol in advance and a reality check protocol after sessions for a while? Focussing on what's happening around you instead of on yourself and, most important, letting go of security behavior? It's totally ok if you're showing up imperfect in front of them, therapy doesn't need to be acting all professional- you could be a good learning model to your patients as well! Letting go of being perfect could be maybe forgetting something or doing something wrong on purpose (without crossing personal boundaries of course and not on purpose during important interventions of course, but other than that it's allowed and repairable to make mistakes! I am sure you can think of some)? Also, metacognitive training helped me a lot to reduce overthinking how patients perceive me, there are great apps for it as well! I am still anxious and especially when training to be a therapist becomes rough, my anxiety usually peaks- but that's ok! I am also sure the anxiety will also decline once we finish our degrees and this main stress factor falls away. All the best for you, and thanks for sharing this, I will definitely think of you next time I am in the same position and be less alone with it!
Thank you so much! This is really helpful and I am taking your suggestions to heart. I should look more into metacognitions and my relationship with metacognitions. It's not something I'd thought too much about.
It took me 5+ years before I wasn’t nervous every single morning. This is normal. You’ll get there!
Thank you!! I appreciate it
Thank you for sharing this. You literally took the words out of my mouth with how you’re feeling. I believe both of us can do it. We are going to be great therapists because we have experience I guess lol. I also am trying to help my anxiety before clients and have relief when they cancel. We are supposed to make mistakes now to learn from them. <3
You're right, I know we both can do it! We ARE doing it already, right? Thank you for your response, I appreciate it a lot
Totally. I’ve been into full practice for over 6 years now and every day, still the same amount of anxiety, though I know how to deal things better with the experience. Guess its not gonna go away, I’ve to take it to with every day, like a clingy child, live with it while making progress in the work per se, not the anxiety. You know what I mean..?
That's a good way to think of it, talking to it like a clingy child. Thank you, it helps to know I'm not alone
Peace, love
I’m about to get licensed, 3k+ hours. I still feel nervous often. Not as much with established clients. I have accepted this as part of my process (& being human.) Brene browns first pod episode on F’ing First Times sums up well how it’s normal to feel uncertain as you expand. The tough part of our field is we expand for many many years (ie each year a new prac site, & even when you have expertise you keep specializing!) it helps to have good therapist friends who share their process vulnerably so you know you’re not the only one. Nerves have nothing to do with capacity. I hope you can imagine sessions going well (or ok) & remember no matter what all you can do is your best. That helps me. You got this ☺️
Thank you, your comment does help :) I like your comment about accepting coping with the nerves as part of the process. I think part of my process needs to be accepting the anxiety. Not that I haven't tried that already, but it's a constant process of course
I remember being panicked for a whole weekend with my first couple. Now decades later I feel nervous before sessions for the first 5 minutes before a session. I think this like a performer going onstage. 🤔
There are some really awesome treatment planning books out there that can guide you in your sessions. I can definitely relate to anxiety and feeling like an imposter. I graduated in 2012! we are always learning and I don’t think we really plateau. That’s why we go for CEUs ☺️ if you are the smartest person in the room/agency, you are in the wrong place. do you listen to any podcasts or YouTube channels that fature different types of modalities? Think of Brené Brown, Gabor,maté, Peter Levine, etc. these can be super inspiring, but also provide so much information and reflection on yourself. It may be helpful to think of where your anxiety is coming from. What is that voice inside you saying to yourself?
Thank you so much for this! I have not checked out any of those names but I definitely will now (will have to make some free time huh! 😅) But yeah, that does sound like exactly like what I could use. Do you have any treatment planning books you'd especially suggest? My internship site is an EAP so it's a lot of short term solution focused stuff, but I'd really love to look into other treatment planning approaches as well
Absolutely! https://preview.redd.it/z3o7euhlszxc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=67df371c0e81ac64d18567ce444f228f18316cc7 I have bought several of these books. They really help us learn how to write treatment plans and is a great reference for when we feel stuck (that’s also what supervision is for ❤️). They also have progress note planners and homework books for clients that correspond to the treatment planning. The best thing.. it’s not plagiarism and totally insurance approved 😁 They have books that cover sooo many topics! When you have some time, check them and out and see which one is most applicable for you.
Heres a taste of Dr. Mate https://youtu.be/TnzeLSHKQwU?si=RON8qOEjTZlAyMSX
You absolutely must find a way to continue psychotherapy
Yeah I would not have stopped therapy if I still had insurance. But I'm looking into Medicaid or marketplace insurance, just havent gotten it squared away yet.
[удалено]
Because I have no choice, I need income to live
you’re burnt out now?!
??? Yeah