Oowee –where should I start? Buckle in and get ready for the ride. Let me stop with the melodramatics, but in all seriousness, there will be LOTS, of ups and downs. Below you will find some tips and strategies for first-time therapists.
Your confidence will come. Remember, you’ve got to crawl before you run. Build your sweat equity with each session. You will fall into a groove that works for you, but know that it will take TIME.
Focus on building your therapeutic alliance. We are layered and complex beings. It’s important to focus on creating an inviting space for others to peel back their layers. This strategy will benefit you and your clients. Think of it as short and long-term investment planning.
Practice self-awareness. Do the work that will get YOU results. Being self-aware gives you the ability to identify your areas of strengths and weaknesses. This practice will catapult your personal and professional growth to new heights. And it will help with increasing your confidence and building stronger therapeutic alliances.
Be flexible. Don’t worry about getting everything right. That means giving yourself room to mess up. We are not perfect beings, and we are ALL flawed. If we know this, why would you expect your therapeutic practice to be any different?
Use therapeutic theories as a guide. Use theories to help guide and support your practice. Don’t get bogged down in the fine print. Sometimes, you’ll have to pivot and move at the client’s pace or at a pace that’s appropriate for the client.
Supervision. Save yourself the headache. Your Supervisor is human, don’t expect them to know exactly what you should do, in your session, with your client. They are there for guidance.
Set therapeutic goals early. Knowing what the plan is, helps you and the client to easily navigate the terrain. Practice setting SMART goals or SMART-like goals with your clients. SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely.
Silence is OK. Some people process in silence, and disrupting the silence can disrupt their process. You don’t have to fill the silence with your words. If the uncomfortability of the silence triggers you, you’ve gone too far. Sessions are not intended to be for YOU and have everything to do with the client –instead, use Supervision to process those thoughts and feelings.
Take a chill pill. You’ve got this. You’ve prepared for this moment! Everyone is nervous when building or working on a new skill set. You’ll find your lane and be a pro in no time.
If you’re an experienced mental health practitioner, what other suggestions would you add to this list?