Want to know a dirty secret?
The thing most psychologists and therapists in independent practice fear the most isn’t bankruptcy, being sued or letting their clients down.
It’s each other.
“Peer Fear” is a term many of my coaching clients have used to describe the paralysing terror of snide comments and condescending tone that we become so used to in our professional forums.
There is so much insecurity among professionals and so much “competition” in the journey to become one that we have all witnessed some horrific “put downs” from supposedly trained reflective and ethical practitioners. Comments designed to keep people small and discourage any diversity of thought.
This reality is what stops so many people from taking the leap into independent practice, even when they know they can do amazing things if they are allowed to use their entrepreneurial spirit to do some good in the world.
The good news? I found the antidote and I’m here to give it out freely.
We are the cure if we choose to be.
Let’s build each other up. Like each other's posts, recommend each other to friends, be a cheerleader for other professionals we see doing their best to make a difference out there.
We don’t have to all agree on the best way to make change but if you are properly qualified and using your knowledge to help others I am absolutely glad that you are doing it. There is a mountain to climb if we want to improve the horrifying state of mental health and I’m grateful for every psychologist and therapist I see strapping on their climbing boots.
This is the WHY behind by coaching practice, Psychology Business School. I feel I do more good for the world as a whole, empowering other psychologists and therapists than I could in my own practice. I also get to create an outstanding network of entrepreneurial, innovative professionals who inspire me in every session.
Over the summer, I am dedicating this space to helping those who might be sitting on the fence of independent practice, desperately wanting or needing the flexibility that it brings but feeling too anxious or ashamed to risk taking the leap. Each week I will be here with a simple step you can take forward, sometimes a bit of thinking, sometimes a bit of doing. I hope if you choose to join me here each week you will find the shame lifting and the excitement at what is possible begin to take its place.
Your first task is simply to identify what your imposter syndrome/shame is telling you that needs to be let go of. I will tell you what mine told me back in 2018 when I started up:
All of these stories harmed my practice in its first year.
Take a notebook, journal, Remarkable or your phone notes and just take a minute to reflect on whether there are any similar stories lurking in the back of your mind. I promise you it is these, not your relationship with tech, money or business planning that will sabotage your new practice.
Join my free masterclass, "Set Up Your Practice for Success”, on September 8th. I'll share my 3-part framework to help you create a practice that is professionally fulfilling and financially secure, giving you the flexibility you crave without the burnout.