Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a Therapist in Private Practice
The first time I signed a private-pay client, I panicked and immediately jumped on Amazon to buy a bunch of books about “How to Help People.”
Like I hadn’t just spent YEARS and THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS learning exactly how to to do this already.
That first client backed out at the last minute.
And honestly? My reaction was RELIEF.
Because I was terrified that she’d show up, pay me money, and I’d completely let her down.
I was convinced I was a total fraud. A therapist-shaped imposter.
If that’s where you are right now? Welcome.
This is basically a rite of passage for therapists starting private practice.
In this post, we’ll break down why imposter syndrome happens, how it messes with your ability to market yourself or charge what you're worth, and (most importantly) how to move through it so you can build a confident, sustainable practice that actually feels good.
Everyone feels like a fraud at first (yes, even us)
Imposter syndrome thrives in isolation. So let’s bust that wide open:
We’ve had the "What if I ruin someone’s life?" panic spiral.
We’ve left sessions feeling like, “Pretty sure that client totally hates me now.”
We’ve stared at the phone, low-key hoping a client would cancel (see the above story).
You’re not alone. Most new therapists in private practice have had that stomach-drop moment of, Wait... should I really be doing this?
The answer is yes. And the feeling is normal.
Even now, after building six-figure practices and helping tons of therapists do the same, those thoughts still sneak in occasionally.
But the difference is, we know how to spot them for what they are: growing pains, not red flags.
This is what it looks like when you go from student to business owner. From being supervised to trusting yourself. From charging $0 to charging real money.
And yeah, it’s scary. But you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just doing something new.
You’re qualified (even if you don’t feel like it)
Here’s what you forget when imposter syndrome is screaming at you: you’ve already done the work.
Behold the Evidence of your Genius:
You went to grad school
You studied
You practiced
You did that thing where you had to record yourself or sit in the room with the 2-way mirror, while you did you best impression of a therapist, and then got feedback about how to hand someone tissues
You transcribed
You took comps
You paid off loans (or are still paying them off- so fun!)
You sat through supervision
You passed your licensing exams
You built a whole-ass career.
You didn’t get here by accident.
Are you still learning? Of course. We all are. But being in growth mode doesn’t mean you’re incompetent—it means you’re evolving.
And honestly? You might even be a better therapist than someone with decades of experience who’s burned out or phoning it in. Your presence, your effort, and your empathy matter more than perfect interventions.
So the next time your brain whispers, Who do you think you are?, you can answer:
I’m someone who trained for this, cares deeply, and shows up. That’s exactly who I think I am.
Marketing feels EXTRA cringey when you feel like an fraud
Let’s talk about the real kicker: imposter syndrome doesn’t just mess with your confidence in session.
It messes with your business.
When you feel like a fraud, talking about your services, sharing your wins, or writing "I help people with [insert niche]" feels… weird.
And charging money? Forget it. It feels like tricking people.
We hear this all the time: “How can I confidently market myself or charge $150/session when I’m still wondering if I’m even helping?”
Here’s the truth: You don’t need to feel confident to show up professionally. You need to be honest, be present, and speak to the transformation you know you’re helping clients create, even if that transformation starts small.
The only thing that feels out of integrity is pretending you’re something you’re not.
And guess what? You’re not. You’re not pretending. You’re learning while helping.
(And if you’re not charging enough to cover your bills? That’s not humility. That’s self-sabotage. Just sayin)
Marketing with integrity means saying: Here’s who I help. Here’s how I help. If you’re a fit, let’s work together.
Simple. Honest. Real.
And yes, still scary sometimes. But it gets easier every time you practice.
Don’t underestimate the power of your simple therapy tools
One of the biggest lies imposter syndrome tells us is that therapy only counts if you’re saying brilliant things every 3.5 seconds.
But some of the most healing moments come from the simple stuff. The things that are so second-nature to us, we forget how powerful they are.
Holding space. Sitting in silence. Listening without judgment. Making eye contact and nodding like a human being.
One of my favorite stories came from a therapist who was seeing a teen client - one who was forced into therapy and didn’t want to talk. Instead of forcing conversation, the therapist just let the teen sit in silence for the entire session. No pressure. No performance. Just presence.
At the end? The teen said thank you. And told her it was the first time someone let her just be.
So yeah…Don’t discount what looks like “nothing.”
That moment of quiet? That gentle presence? That’s therapy. That shit heals.
Start a “File of Fabulous”
Your brain is a pro at cataloging all your mistakes. What it doesn’t do well? Remembering the 1,000 tiny ways you're making a difference.
So you need receipts. Enter: the File of Fabulous.
This is your running list of every little moment that proves you’re doing good work:
A client says, “That session was really helpful.”
Someone rebooks without hesitation.
A curmudgeonly client (who mostly speaks in grumbles) draws you a picture of an eagle. (True story.)
Save the emails. Screenshot the texts. Write it on a post-it and slap it in a folder.
We don’t care how you do it. Just start collecting the evidence.
Then, when your inner critic is screaming “You’re a giant pile of suck!”- you’ve got a stack of proof that says otherwise.
We still look at ours when the doubt creeps in. It’s a reminder that even on our messiest days, we’re making a difference.
You can lack confidence and still be damn good
Here’s the truth - Confidence is overrated.
We know plenty of wildly confident people who… kind of suck. Or are just average. But they walk into rooms like they own the place.
Meanwhile, some of the most thoughtful, capable, and compassionate therapists we know are the ones constantly questioning themselves. (Hi, you.)
The goal isn’t to never feel nervous again. The goal is to keep showing up even when you do.
Because you can:
Doubt yourself and still do meaningful work
Feel scared and still raise your rates
Wonder if you’re good enough - and still help someone heal
Confidence is a feeling. It comes and goes.
But courage? That’s a decision.
You don’t need to feel 100% ready to take action. You just need to believe that you care enough to keep trying. And that? That’s the kind of therapist we’d bet on every time.
And if you want support from people who really get what you’re building?
If you want help turning your private practice into something that actually supports your life (not drains it) we’ve got you.
Don’t go it alone - Let’s do this together
If imposter syndrome is whispering in your ear, “You don’t know what you’re doing,” let us be the louder voice that says, “Yes you do, and we’ll help you figure out the rest.”
Total Freedom Private Practice gives you everything you need to build a profitable, sustainable, and genuinely fulfilling practice (without having to white-knuckle your way through it alone, hoping you don’t muck it up).
We’re talking:
✔️ Step-by-step systems to grow your practice
✔️ Tools and templates to take the guesswork out of marketing
✔️ Supportive coaching that doesn’t make you feel like you’re behind
✔️ Mindset tools to kick imposter syndrome to the curb
You don’t need to hustle harder or be someone you’re not. You just need the how. And that’s what we give you.
👉 Click here to join us and let’s build the private practice (and life) you’ve been dreaming of.
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