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S1 E33 | From Classroom to Clinic: Amanda Hitchin on Redundancy, Purpose & Growth #podcast
When psychotherapist Amanda Hitchin lost her job during the pandemic, she didn’t just face redundancy, she faced an identity crisis. After 16 years in education and leadership roles, Amanda’s world suddenly stopped. But that shock became the springboard for something extraordinary: founding Colchester Children’s Counselling, hosting The New Therapist in Town podcast, and earning a spot in the UK’s Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs.
In this episode of Get A Shift On, Amanda joins Dave to talk about how a forced ending became the start of everything she’d always wanted. It’s a story about courage, creativity, and the power of saying, “I can’t do it... yet.”
Amanda’s journey began in the classroom, teaching and leading safeguarding teams through the chaos of the pandemic. But when redundancy struck, she was suddenly without direction, and without the security she’d built her life around.
Instead of retreating, Amanda took her payout and invested in herself. She trained as a psychodynamic counsellor, balancing studies, therapy fees, and bills, all without a student loan. It wasn’t easy. It was growth mindset in action.
What started as one rented room turned into a thriving three-room practice with a nine-person team, a unique psychotherapy sensory room, and national recognition for her impact. What she thought was a setback became the permission slip to build a career on her own terms, one rooted in compassion, autonomy, and purpose.
- Pressure Makes a Diamond – Every challenging season can refine you. Amanda’s toughest teaching years became the foundation for her success in therapy and business.
- Adopt a Growth Mindset – Replace “I can’t” with “I can’t yet.” Learn, evolve, and treat mistakes as part of mastery.
- Redundancy Isn’t the End – It can be your launchpad. Amanda used hers to fund a master’s degree and a new life.
- Outsource the Bits You Hate – Focus your energy on what fuels you. Delegate, automate, and protect your emotional bandwidth.
- You’re Never Too Old to Retrain – Whether 28 or 58, if there’s something calling you—answer it. The next chapter could be the best yet.
Amanda’s story is proof that growth isn’t comfortable, but it’s worth it. Redundancy didn’t end her career; it reignited it. Her journey is a reminder that courage often looks like sending that first text, renting that first office, or admitting you’re ready for something new.
🎙️ Listen now to Get A Shift On and discover how Amanda turned uncertainty into empowerment.
Follow Amanda:
Website
LinkedIn
Facebook
Podcast
Follow David / Via Nova here:
David's LinkedIn
Via Nova LinkedIn
Via Nova Website
Free Personal Exit Plan / Work With Me
Frustrated at Work? Want to know if you are ready for a career change? Answer these 10 questions and find out!
View all episodes
By David BirchmoreWhen psychotherapist Amanda Hitchin lost her job during the pandemic, she didn’t just face redundancy, she faced an identity crisis. After 16 years in education and leadership roles, Amanda’s world suddenly stopped. But that shock became the springboard for something extraordinary: founding Colchester Children’s Counselling, hosting The New Therapist in Town podcast, and earning a spot in the UK’s Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs.
In this episode of Get A Shift On, Amanda joins Dave to talk about how a forced ending became the start of everything she’d always wanted. It’s a story about courage, creativity, and the power of saying, “I can’t do it... yet.”
Amanda’s journey began in the classroom, teaching and leading safeguarding teams through the chaos of the pandemic. But when redundancy struck, she was suddenly without direction, and without the security she’d built her life around.
Instead of retreating, Amanda took her payout and invested in herself. She trained as a psychodynamic counsellor, balancing studies, therapy fees, and bills, all without a student loan. It wasn’t easy. It was growth mindset in action.
What started as one rented room turned into a thriving three-room practice with a nine-person team, a unique psychotherapy sensory room, and national recognition for her impact. What she thought was a setback became the permission slip to build a career on her own terms, one rooted in compassion, autonomy, and purpose.
- Pressure Makes a Diamond – Every challenging season can refine you. Amanda’s toughest teaching years became the foundation for her success in therapy and business.
- Adopt a Growth Mindset – Replace “I can’t” with “I can’t yet.” Learn, evolve, and treat mistakes as part of mastery.
- Redundancy Isn’t the End – It can be your launchpad. Amanda used hers to fund a master’s degree and a new life.
- Outsource the Bits You Hate – Focus your energy on what fuels you. Delegate, automate, and protect your emotional bandwidth.
- You’re Never Too Old to Retrain – Whether 28 or 58, if there’s something calling you—answer it. The next chapter could be the best yet.
Amanda’s story is proof that growth isn’t comfortable, but it’s worth it. Redundancy didn’t end her career; it reignited it. Her journey is a reminder that courage often looks like sending that first text, renting that first office, or admitting you’re ready for something new.
🎙️ Listen now to Get A Shift On and discover how Amanda turned uncertainty into empowerment.
Follow Amanda:
Website
LinkedIn
Facebook
Podcast
Follow David / Via Nova here:
David's LinkedIn
Via Nova LinkedIn
Via Nova Website
Free Personal Exit Plan / Work With Me
Frustrated at Work? Want to know if you are ready for a career change? Answer these 10 questions and find out!