So, I’m a Therapist Now… Here’s What No One Told Me
The last three months have been eye-opening and terrifying. Stepping into the therapist role for the first time as both a mirror (reflecting clients' truths) and a window (offering hope) has been more beautiful, more challenging, and more meaningful than I ever could have imagined.
Here are 10 things I’ve learned in the first 4 months of being a therapist.
There’s a need behind every problem.
The behavior may be outdated, but the need underneath it is always valid.
Healing begins when we stop judging the coping and start understanding the need.Signing up for therapy is an act of self-love.
I’ve been surprised by how many clients experience positive change between sessions one and two.
The decision to begin is often a brave and transformative step.Client willingness is the most important factor for therapeutic growth.
No modality or technique can replace a person’s readiness to grow.
Therapy works best when both the client and the therapist show up with a willingness to do the work.Most of the therapy happens outside the room.
Shifts show up in subtle ways through client stories—in how someone responds to a text, sets a boundary, or retells a story.
Change is often quiet at first, but it compounds.Therapists are humans too.
Warmth, laughter, and presence often create more healing than perfect technique.
People don’t need a perfect therapist—they need a real one.Sometimes it’s okay to be “good enough.”
I’m learning to release the pressure to be great every session.
Some days it’s okay to be a good therapist and not a great therapist.Holding space for others means resourcing myself.
My nervous system is part of the work, too.
For me, resourcing looks like exercise, cooking, friendship, reading, skiing, running, and climbing.Supervision is gold.
Sometimes when I feel the most prepared is when I run into something unexpected.
Supervision is where I grow not just as a clinician, but as a person.Curiosity > certainty.
The urge to "know" can be strong, but presence matters more than answers.
“Could you tell me more about that?”I’m still becoming.
It’s easy to compare myself to seasoned therapists—but I’m learning to trust the pace of my growth.
Being a beginner has its own kind of wisdom.
If this resonates with you—whether you're a therapist, a client, or simply someone learning to hold space—I’d love to hear what you’re discovering too. Let’s keep the conversation going.
