Let’s start by thinking about how you got to this position as a therapist and how you got to this place where you feel that you have little or no confidence in your business development.
Picture this: you’re sitting across from a client, ready to guide them through their journey of self-discovery and healing. You could be a counsellor, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist or other therapist.
You believe that your training was pretty good and your techniques have been refined, but something is missing. It’s that inner assurance, that unshakable belief in yourself and your abilities as a therapist.
You know you have the abilities as a therapist, but if you want to go into private practice or work for an organisation as a freelance therapist, you start to doubt yourself.
This is where business confidence comes into play—a vital yet often overlooked aspect of your practice.
In this blog, we’ll explore the who, what, where, how, and why of building business confidence for therapists, empowering you to step into your full potential and create meaningful change in your client’s lives.
But before I discuss this, I want to tell you something important.
A lack of confidence when you first start as a therapist is normal.
Remember, too much confidence can give you tunnel vision so you might miss something from your clients, your business and yourself.
What is business confidence?
It’s more than just a state of mind; it’s a skill set that encompasses knowing your strengths and weaknesses, setting clear goals, and laying a solid foundation for your practice.
Why am I talking about business confidence?
Hi, I’m Linda. I’ve been a therapist most of my life. I was a registered nurse in the UK and Australia, and for many years, I have been working as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach. I have been in business since 2027.
I know that getting clients and developing your business can sometimes result in a lack of confidence. I was where you are once. I always felt that I didn’t have enough knowledge or skills, so I continued to go to every workshop and study day I could find. This boosted my confidence as a therapist as I then knew that I had a vast range of knowledge and skills that I could use to help my clients. Yet the business confidence wasn’t growing as fast.
So, I attended many business courses and had support from my supervisors and a coach.
My business confidence began to excel; however, business, especially marketing, is always changing, so my confidence may dip sometimes.
I know what it feels like. I’ve been there!
Why lack business confidence?
When you decide to go into private practice, you must develop business acumen, which requires confidence. Business confidence isn’t just about getting clients and earning money. It’s about forging deeper connections with your clients, fostering professional growth, and overcoming the nagging doubts that hinder your effectiveness as a therapist.
Who lacks confidence in therapy businesses?
We all can lack confidence in business if we don’t have the knowledge and skills to go forward in life.
Our therapy training will provide some confidence in helping clients.
In our therapy schools, we learn the underpinning knowledge about clients, including the philosophy behind our practice and the history of the therapy. We go on to learn about behaviours and how we can help clients to understand and change. We also link knowledge and skills to research and evidence.
Some therapy schools will cover something about business, but the amount of time spent on this subject will be minimal.
Who needs business confidence?
We all do!
Whether you’re just starting in your practice, are a seasoned therapist looking to expand, or are transitioning into private practice, cultivating business confidence is essential for success in today’s competitive landscape.
Where to begin?
From clarifying your mission and values to navigating the intricacies of marketing and self-promotion, there are practical steps you can take to boost your confidence and attract the clients you’re meant to serve.
How to cultivate confidence.
Self-care, continued education, and seeking support from peers and mentors are all integral to building and maintaining confidence in your practice.
However, as I showed from my experiences, excessive amounts of continuing professional development (CPD) don’t always help because you need to be focused on the right things at the right times. (See my book CPD Made Easy, available on Amazon)
I believe it’s about balancing quality therapy and ethical business practices.
Self-care, continued education, and seeking support from peers and mentors are all integral to building and maintaining confidence in your practice.
Overcoming common challenges.
Fear of failure, imposter syndrome, and balancing clinical work and business responsibilities are hurdles every therapist faces. Acknowledging and addressing these challenges can strengthen your confidence and resilience.
Encouraging client engagement.
Remember what you were taught about the importance of building rapport with clients and other therapists.
Creating a welcoming environment, honing your communication skills, and demonstrating your expertise are key factors in retaining clients and building a thriving practice.
The role of supervision.
Supervision provides a safe space for reflection, learning, and growth—a valuable resource for therapists and many other professionals at any stage of their careers.
For some professions, such as counselling, it’s expected. In fact, professional bodies insist on regular supervision.
But you might be wondering if it is effective. Well, I believe it is, although it’s an additional cost when you first start in your business.
The benefits include:
- Reduced stress, anxiety and burnout
- Increased skills
- Better job satisfaction
- Better work/life balance
- An opportunity to be heard and discuss issues related to clients and business
- It helps you to explore any prejudices, transference or boundary difficulties
- Ensures that you meet standards and adhere to the law.
- Strengthens your therapist’s diagnostic skills
- Supports you in identifying your therapist’s style and niche areas of practice
- Ultimately, it helps you get clients, grow your business and build your confidence
However, supervision can vary so much for therapists in all therapy businesses.
As a nurse, I had supervision and mentoring.
As a counsellor, I continue to have supervision every month.
As a hypnotherapist, I continue to have supervision, not because I still need lots of additional knowledge and skills now but because I need a different perspective on a problem, and there will always be things I don’t know. It’s also about support from a trusted supervisor.
Conclusion.
As you embark on your journey to build business confidence, remember that it’s not just about achieving success—it’s about embracing your unique strengths, facing your fears, and becoming the best version of yourself as a therapist.
Through my business, Awaken the Change, I offer supervision and mentoring sessions tailored to your needs, providing the support and guidance you need to thrive in your practice. I offer small group hypnotherapy sessions at a low-cost rate and counselling, hypnotherapy or other therapy sessions on a one-to-one basis at affordable prices.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your professional development and discover more as you start your transformative journey to feeling therapy and business confidence, book a free 30-minute consultation or email me.
Therapists, I would love to hear from you.
Regards
Linda
