Handling the Challenges of Being a New Therapist
Wanted to start this week’s blog with a question
“Aren’t we all performers in our own life” ?
As said by the OG king of Drama William Shakespeare “All the world’s a stage” and must I add that we are all our main characters.
And as being a performer myself, I too face something called as the *jitters* or should I say *nervousness*. But you know what, according to psychology (and no this is not a pseudo psychology fact), there is a phenomenon called “eustress”. It is supposed to be “good stress” and is beneficial for the individual. So for all the baby and the trainee therapists, this post is especially for you ! Because we see you and hear you !
As a trainee Counselling Psychologist, I know firsthand how nerve-wracking it feels to meet your very first real patient, not to mention guiding them through a full 60-minute session. While practice brings confidence, there is always room to grow in this field. To help ease those first-time jitters, I will share some of the most common fears new therapists face, offer practical tips to manage them, and wrap up with a lighthearted activity and a surprise and to end on a positive note.
Common fears
What if my methods don’t work on my client ?
What if they don’t benefit from my therapy ?
What if I say something wrong ?
What if I cry in front of my client ?
The list could go on forever, right? That’s exactly why we’re here: to keep things honest and relatable, even when it means tackling the tough topics most people avoid.
As we move from taking deep breaths to facing the real challenges that shape us, here’s a little reassurance: things really do work out, often better than you imagine. So, let’s dive into some practical ways to steady your nerves and surprise yourself with how well you can handle those anxious moments.
Practical Tips for First Session
When anxiety shows up, we usually try to push it away. But what if we greeted it like an old friend and asked, “Why are you here?” This simple shift can help us understand what anxiety is trying to tell us—and maybe even make peace with it.
If session jitters start to overwhelm you, reach out to your supervisors, mentors, or therapist for support. Even a small dose of reassurance from them can help you step into your next sessions with greater confidence.
3. Although it may seem simple, putting this into practice can be surprisingly challenging. From your very first session, take a moment to mentally jot down your weaknesses and areas for growth. These notes will become especially valuable when you find yourself feeling stuck.
4. Lastly, put up a sticky note or a mental reminder, to not perfect your very first therapy session ! Just trust yourself, and your skills, and go with it, and don’t perfect it !
Trust me, that will get you a long way.
“Sometimes, all your clients want to do is somebody to listen, so get them talking and empathise at the right points” - (Mr.Richard Kilburg, Johns Hopkins University).
For the final reveal: grab a sheet of paper or your journal and write a letter to your future self—a therapist with 5+ years of experience. Share your current fears, tell them how proud you are, and end with something heartfelt. Seal it away and open it years later—it’ll bring a smile and remind you how far you’ve come. Before you go, click the link below to add an extra smile to your cart! Until the next post, take care, you lovely human beans.
Click on the link: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/42010209019508355/
