In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I’m joined by Sharon May, founder of Kingsclere Counselling Service.

Sharon shares her inspiring journey from working alone in a single upstairs room on her family farm to building a thriving group practice of 14 therapists. We talk about the moment she took the leap to expand (far earlier than she expected), and how she weathered the pandemic just as her practice had begun to grow.

But this episode is about more than business. Sharon opens up about imposter syndrome, trusting her gut, and how her values help her navigate big decisions. She also talks about doing a Masters in psychotherapy — and the research that followed into the mental health of farm wives, which led to her being awarded a prestigious Nuffield scholarship to study the topic around the world.

Takeaways:

• That having courage means experiencing fear, too
• What Sharon learned from running a team
• The importance of being value-led to grow a counselling service that’s rooted in community
• What Sharon's research reveals about the hidden emotional burden carried by women in agriculture
• Why imposter syndrome often means you’re doing better than you think

Whether you’re building a private practice, exploring a niche, or just wondering what your next step might be, this conversation is packed with honesty, insight and encouragement for all those people who secretly think they're not good enough.

Connect with Sharon via her website HERE. She'd love to hear from you if you're interested in rural mental health issues or have farming experience.

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords:

courage, mental health, counselling, private practice, therapy, overcoming fear, farmer mental health, group practice, professional development, imposter syndrome, vulnerability, agricultural mental health, therapist collaboration, personal growth, work-life balance

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.