How Do I Get Into Private Practice as a Therapist with Anxiety?

Posted on October 09, 2023 by Meg Young, One of Thousands of Entrepreneurship Coaches on Noomii.

As a therapist, you came into this field for a reason. You had a dream to understand and help people through difficult times in their lives. You were brave enough to go to school and get a degree so you could do this. You were brave enough to take the exam so you could be a therapist or counselor.

Now you’re starting to think you can do more good in private practice. But the thought is a bit daunting.

Opening a private practice is an amazing experience. You will learn a lot about yourself in the process and will really hone in your skills, finding the population you like working with best. But, opening a private practice is both exciting and scary at the same time. Both of these emotions are incredibly powerful and can sway your decisions.

Many therapists are stopped by imposter syndrome or anxiety, however. Unfortunately, not believing in yourself and allowing the what ifs to win is common. To overcome imposter syndrome, and anxiety, more frequent trips outside the comfort zone will yield quicker results. I still fight with the anxiety and even a bit of imposter syndrome, but I don’t let those emotions and thoughts stop me from taking action and building the life I am looking forward to.

Since you were bold enough to dream of becoming a therapist despite your personal background, and you were brave enough to take the exam so you could get a job as a therapist, you are bold and brave enough to go out on your own.

Opening a private practice may bring up some imposter syndrome and anxiety, but you did not get here by accident. You are where you are in life due to what you did; your actions. Your actions now will determine whether you open the private practice, helping your community in ways that are currently unavailable or under available.

If you had to guess, do you think you’ll be disappointed in the future that you didn’t open your private practice earlier? Today’s the best day to take the next step towards the life you want.

Think about why you’re interested in going into private practice. Think about what’s holding you back. Think about how you’ll feel in the future if you don’t open your practice. Think about how you hope to feel in the future if you do open your practice.

Now, what tools can you use that you teach your clients when they’re feeling anxious and don’t want to do something that is good for them? Make every day count. Anxiety won’t take a break. Why give your goals on building your private practice a break? Do something, anything, to go out of your comfort zone every day and work on your business.

Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Challenge or reframe negative thoughts and beliefs
2. Find and use support – this could be a friend or a coach
3. Break it down into smaller goals/tasks – you don’t have to go all in today
4. Focus on why you’re interested in this. It could be more money, control of who you see, control of your schedule, whatever.

You don’t know what you don’t know and you don’t have to figure it out alone. Working with a coach can help you overcome the obstacles, like imposter syndrome or anxiety that are holding you back from taking the first step to opening your private practice.

Personally, I really don’t like networking events. I am learning different ways of approaching them, which is helpful, but I still try to talk myself out of them every time I’m supposed to go to one. I went to one last week, (which was 45 mins from home in a very busy area. I don’t like driving into busy areas like that making it even more uncomfortable) and it turned out to be great. I used some of the tools I had been learning and enjoyed it a bit more than I expected. – I focused on WHY going to networking events is so important and the goal for that particular networking event.

It’s time to take a deep breath and leap. You don’t have to go all in at once, and finding a coach may be the single best idea to quickly and most efficiently get you going, overcoming the internal obstacles as well as learning the logistics of opening a private practice.

Learn more about who I am and schedule your clarity call with me to today to determine whether we are a good fit together!