Congratulations, new therapist! You’ve earned your shiny degree, your idealism is intact, and you’re likely brimming with excitement to design your dream office, logo and website. Welcome to the rollercoaster of private practice—a journey filled with the highs of connecting deeply with clients, those incredible “aha” moments when breakthroughs happen, and the challenges of no-shows or a sudden silence from new inquiries. There’s also the reality of navigating isolation in a field where co-workers are few and far between. Yet, alongside the hurdles comes the profound sense of independence and accomplishment that comes with building your own practice from the ground up.
Now, let’s talk about those rookie mistakes you’re going to make. Spoiler alert: they’re inevitable. But don’t worry, because that’s where I come in—your friendly, slightly jaded but highly experienced clinical supervisor, ready to save you from yourself.
First up, let’s address the clinical side. Early on, you’re going to want to save everyone. Every. Single. Client. And while your enthusiasm is admirable, it’s also how you end up knee-deep in boundary violations and burnout. Guess what? you’re a therapist, not a magician. That one client who swears therapy doesn’t work but keeps showing up just to tell you? They’re going to teach you a lot… mostly about patience and deep breathing.
Then there’s documentation—oh, the documentation. If you think you’re going to remember what happened in that session two weeks ago because you didn’t write it down, let me just gently say: you’re wrong. Your future self is already glaring at you. Get a system, stick to it, and for the love of all that’s ethical, write those notes!
Yikes! My first consultation call it was amazing connection- we spoke for 45 minutes but then they didn’t book me? Or maybe you freeze not sure what to say and didn’t call back for several days- and now potential clue lost interest. These are part of the newbie mistakes, and graduate school doesn’t teach us how to run a practice.
Now onto the business side, because yes, private practice is a business. Shocking, I know. You’ll undercharge because you feel bad asking for money (stop that), overbook because you’re afraid to say no (seriously, stop that), and forget about things like taxes (hello, panic attack in April). Let me break it to you gently: your therapist heart may be full, but your wallet and sanity will not be unless you get a handle on this.
This is where having an experienced clinical supervisor can be a game-changer. You’ll learn not only how to handle tricky clinical cases and navigate ethical dilemmas but also how to achieve that elusive work-life balance. We’ll talk about not taking things personally—because trust me, some clients will push every button you didn’t even know you had. Each client has something to teach you, and supervision is the process where we unpack those lessons together. I’ve made the mistakes—the awkward boundary blunders, the tax-time meltdowns, and that one time I thought a “marketing plan” meant printing a stack of brochures nobody asked for and leaving them on random places —so you don’t have to. Supervision isn’t just about ensuring you’re not accidentally saying something wild to your clients (though we’ll cover that too). It’s about helping you navigate the tricky parts of being both a clinician and a business owner without losing your mind.
With me in your corner, you’ll learn how to handle tough clinical cases, set boundaries like a boss, and run a practice that doesn’t make you cry into your coffee at midnight. Plus, you’ll get to laugh at my war stories of rookie mistakes—because yes, I’ve been there, done that, and got the therapy-themed T-shirt.
So if you’re ready to level up your skills, avoid the common pitfalls, and keep your succulents alive (metaphorically and literally), let’s chat. Because trust me, you don’t have to figure this all out alone. And wouldn’t it be nice to have someone who’s already stepped on the rakes guiding you around them?
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