There’s a lot you don’t see behind the scenes of my work. There are late nights at the kitchen table learning new software from scratch. There are launches that flop. There are moments when I wonder why I said yes to so many things at once. There is the quiet pressure of knowing people are looking to me for leadership while I am still figuring it out myself.
When I think about my work now, it is a mix of so many things that I sometimes have to stop and take stock of how far I have come. I run a private practice called The Therapy Hub, with a highly skilled team of Psychologists, Counsellors, and Accredited Mental Health Social Workers. Most of us work with adolescents, but our work reaches families, couples, adults, schools, and the broader community.
On paper, it might look like I always knew how to do this. I have had to figure it out piece by piece. When I started, I never imagined I would be managing a team, creating online courses, running training programs, all whilst still seeing clients. I have juggled a lot, tried things that fell flat, and learned skills I never thought I would need.
One of the things that shaped my thinking early on was a podcast called Selling the Couch. I would listen to Melvin interview different practitioners who had found creative ways to serve their clients. It opened my eyes to the idea that I could still work with my preferred client group, young people, while building variety into my week and creating new programs.
One of the first big leaps I took was creating my Connected Teens program. I had no idea how to record and edit videos, build a course platform, or market something online. I remember sitting at my kitchen table late at night, watching YouTube tutorials and trying to stop myself from procrastinating with some online shopping. There were moments where I wanted to scrap the whole idea or throw my laptop out the window. Each time I got stuck, I reminded myself why I was doing it, who I was helping.
I have found it challenging to be vulnerable in my work. Putting myself out there has meant connection, but it has also meant opening the door to criticism (everything from the colour of my glasses to the sound my voice). Some people have disliked what I have done and others have simply not noticed it. I have launched programs I thought would be a hit, only to see them disappear with little interest. I have failed dismally more than once. But each time, I picked myself up, worked out what I could improve, and tried again.
My work has seasons. There are times when I feel energised and take on more than I should. I sign up for courses, run workshops, start new projects, and say yes to too many things. And then there are quieter seasons when I know I need to step back. During lockdown, I had all the time in the world, but my brain refused to take in more. I have learned to trust those rhythms and not fight them.
Running a team has been one of the most rewarding and challenging parts of my career. Private practice can be lonely, and I love having people to have lunch with, bounce ideas off, and share supervision. It also means clients have more choice and can find someone who is the right fit for them. Some days involve back-to-back meetings with lawyers or accountants that cost more than they bring in. It would be simpler to just see clients, but I would miss the connection and collaboration that come with leading a team.
I often get asked how to cope with hearing people’s trauma and struggles. Keeping myself well and mentally strong is crucial. I keep myself grounded by protecting my time. I block out time to do admin, I put gym sessions in the calendar, walk my dog every morning and night, I go to yoga classes and I prioritise a good night’s sleep. These small rituals help me stay present and remind me that my life is bigger than my to-do list.
I love this work. I love sitting with someone in their most difficult moments and helping them find a way forward. I love watching parents realise they can connect with their teen again. I love seeing a new practitioner grow in confidence. None of it happens without risk, without trying something new, without being willing to fall flat on my face sometimes.
If there is one message I would give to anyone reading this, it is to give things a go. You do not have to have it all figured out. You do not have to wait until you feel like an expert. Be a contributor. Share your perspective. Take the leap, even if it feels messy. You might surprise yourself with how resilient you are and how much you love what you create.