What if the things that actually help you thrive as a therapist weren’t taught in grad school at all?

In this episode, I’m sharing the honest truths I wish someone had told me earlier — from the myths we hear about productivity and private practice, to the real emotional weight of this work, and why nourishing yourself isn’t just okay…it’s essential.

Whether you're just starting out or years into the field, this is your reminder that you're not doing it wrong — the system just left a few (dozen) things out.

🧠 Topics include:

• Why your effectiveness doesn’t depend on how long you’ve been practicing

• The truth about long hours and client load expectations

• Private practice myths (and why it’s not selfish to go that route)

• What your professors didn’t teach you about boundaries, advocacy, and burnout

• The healing power of real therapist friendships and genuine self-care

  
  

You’re not alone in figuring this all out. Let’s unpack it together.

FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling:https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8Links Mentioned:Article referencing declining therapist effectiveness over time:

“#3. Clinical Practice vs. Deliberate Practice: Why Your Years of Experience Doesn’t Get You Better”:

http://darylchow.com/Daryl_Chow/Blog/wordpress/blog/2015/01/17/3-clinical-practice-vs-deliberate-practice/Video: "15 Alternative Career Options for Therapists":

https://youtu.be/jdsKse4Yf1w

LINKS:

*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!

👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8

👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear

This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.

Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/

This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.