5 Reasons You’re Not Reaching Your Goals As A Mental Health Therapist (And How to Fix Them)

Stop me if this sounds familiar. You’ve been working your butt off honing your skills since the day you graduated with your Masters degree.

Let’s be honest, you have been working hard your butt off your ENTIRE LIFE because that is just who you are….the helper. 

All your friends think that you have all your shit together. They think you are this cool, calm, superhuman who can get it all done before most people even have their morning coffee.

However, the reality is that being this “superhuman” is freaking exhausting and hard AF.

Feeling like……

You are always behind and that to-do list is ever growing.

That no matter where you look there is always another fire to put out. As if you are some magnet for drama and chaos and can’t share it no matter how hard you try.

Side note, I have a great book recommendation for you…. Addicted to Drama: Healing Dependency on Crisis and Chaos in Yourself and Others (Amazon affiliate link)

If you are like me, maybe even you have had thoughts like….

 You don’t even understand why you got into mental health in the first place?

Read this guide to learn the reasons behind your lack of complete passion for the therapy position you were assured of in graduate school, before you head down the angry path of burnout and resentment!

Ready to understand what is holding you back and what you can do about it to fall back in love with your career? 

Grab yourself a hot cup of tea and notepad and let’s get to work. 

Throughout my 10+ years working in clinical mental health,  I have learned a thing or two about why therapists aren’t happy in their jobs

Often it comes down to one of these 5 reasons.

Knowing the what and why is often the first step in building a career you love and not just another soul sucking 9-5. 

Pssst, if you want more tips on how to maximize your therapy career to prioritize life satisfaction, join my email list where I send weekly emails with tons of free and paid resources outlining your success in life as a therapist.

Therapist Goal Block Reason #1. You Find Yourself Answering To Someone Else’s Dream

Here is the typical path of a therapist…

Sounds about right.

How happy are you with this set up? 

For my first year or two I was thrilled, hell I was just happy to be getting paid after what felt like an eternity pinching pennies to get by.

But the reality is (at least for me), by the time I hit year 2 and 3, I was significantly questioning my career choice as a therapist. Not because I didn’t like my clients (although there were definitely a few who if discharged I wouldn’t lose sleep over), but because I was overworked and overwhelmed by a system that saw me as a tool and not an asset. 

Let me explain. 

As a tool, I was expected to churn out a certain amount of “product” (ie. billable hours) in exchange for a reliable paycheck and health insurance. Every few months, my expected caseload capacity was increased. Or additional non clinical responsibilities were added to my plate in order to match the company’s new philosophy. 

The thing was no matter how hard I I worked, that reliable paycheck never changed. And worse yet, I felt more like a replaceable cog in the wheel than an appreciated asset. 

Partly because I was working my butt off on someone else’s dream and not my own.

Don’t get me wrong, when I ultimately broke free of agency life to start my own private practice I worked my butt off there too (and still do). But it was different because I could see direct changes in my rewards (i.e. take home pay, vacation times, client caseload) when I did something additional for my business. 

I was able to slow down and speed up in a way that made sense for me and my life. Whereas when I was working for someone else, I was expected to operate at a specific speed regardless of whether I was feeling on top of my game or if my dog had just died. 

When working for someone else, sometimes feel like my own dreams and desires were put on hold leading to feelings of dissatisfaction and frustration.

Constantly catering to the needs and expectations of others can be draining both mentally and emotionally (and I am not even talking about working with clients).

It requires a significant amount of energy to support any business through its challenges and struggles, but often depending on the size of the company, we do not directly see the impact of our hard work. While knowing I was working for a world class organization was rewarding, the lack of personal connection to the company left me longing to pursuing my own passions and alkaloids.

For me, this solution was getting out on my own and starting my own private practice. For you it might be scheduling dedicated time to work on a hobby or maintain strong work life boundaries so when you go home you are able to focus on what it important to you most.

Yes I still had hard days, but because the work was directly linked to MY goals and visions, it was easier for me to push through the struggles and see the rewards.

If you are like me and you think private practice is the way to go to have a career AND a personal life, check out my Solo Private Practice Startup Bundle which will have everything you need to get your business up and running ASAP.

Therapist Goal Block Reason #2. Sometimes You Procrasti-Learn

Hey, friends, this is a judgment-free zone, so you can level with me on this. 

Do you have this urge to study up on something every time you have a confidence dip?

Not the “I want to start doing EMDR, let me take a certification” kind of urge.

I am talking the “I wish I were better at XYZ. Let me listen to this podcast. Oooohh they are referencing a book, I’ll buy that. Yes, the author of the book is hosting a talk next week! Let me sign up for that.” And the cycle continues.

I thought so. That is proctasti-learning.

The concept of hiding behind your intellect and being “productive” by learning more about things you already have a basic understanding about. The reality is, though yes this information CAN be helpful….

You are more likely struggling with imposter syndrome and are avoiding action (aka: procrastination) by letting your perfectionism take over and run you into a study loop. 

Related: There’s a nifty little post on imposter syndrome that you might find helpful to build your confidence levels: How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome As A Private Practice Owner With These 8 Tips

It is time to stop hiding behind your excessive CEU’s and certifications and start implementing those techniques you learned (imperfect action baby!). This is the only way you are going to improve as a clinician and build that confidence level. 

Once you feel confident in your therapy skin, don’t be surprised if you want to level up your game. I did this by going out on my own in private practice, and again when I added coaching to my business portfolio. 

Taking the leap into action can be scary, but not taking the leap because you afraid of messing up is just going to keep you stuck.

Need a book recommendation to help get you unstuck? I loved and read regularly The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks (Amazon affiliate link)

For therapists like you, not applying the knowledge and techniques learned can hinder confidence and skill development.

Without tangible results from helping people, it becomes challenging to believe in one’s ability to open a successful practice. Consistent practice allows therapists to refine their skills, gain experience, and build self-assurance in their capabilities.

By actively utilizing what they have learned in your therapist trainings, you can see begin real progress in your clients’ well-being and understand the positive impact of your work. This tangible evidence serves as motivation and validation of their skills, boosting confidence in your potential for success.

Regularly applying learned techniques in therapy sessions reinforces proficiency, builds trust in one’s abilities, and cultivates a strong sense of accomplishment. Ultimately, this enables therapists the opportunity to envision themselves as successful business owners who make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, should private practice be a dream of theirs.

Therapist Goal Block Reason #3. You Put All Your Eggs In One Basket

I am going to make an assumption here and assume one of your goals is tied to finances.

Everyone has a financial goal– the reality is money plays a huge role in our lives. Whether it is the money itself or what it provides for us, I have yet to meet a single person who has told me “I don’t want any more money.”

Our money journey as therapists usually (and unfortunately) has a rough start because let’s face it, all the education and training to get us to this point in our careers is not cheap. I worked my butt off in college and grad school working multiple jobs to pay for my education. Others I know took out student loans and are STILL working hard to pay them off.

The challenge is, our profession is not set up to compensate at a level that matches our education and training, so instead of the typical: graduate – work a bit– pay off investment – happily ever after

Many therapists I know are stuck still working long hours or even multiple jobs to get the bills paid.

Related Reads: How To Build Wealth As A Therapist

This was my struggle in particular when I was working for someone else. All my financial eggs were in my day job. I relied desperately on that $27/hr paycheck to pay the bills. The biggest challenge with this was my income potential was capped. No matter how hard I worked that week, the paycheck would look the same. If I needed to make a large purchase, I had to start saving in advance because there was no way for me to “make a few extra bucks.” just working my 9-5 alone.

THen when 2020 happened and my 2 income household went down to one– I was scrambling to pay the bills and stuck as to what to do.

My lesson…. ALWAYS have a financial backup plan for your income.

Savings is great and will get you far, but often savings does not replenish itself fast enough to keep up with the ever growing demands of life.

That is why, ever since 2020 I have had one foot in the uncapped potential door that is self employment. It starred with private practice to get my feet wet but ultimately grew into affiliate marketing and digital products— an avenue that is not tied in any way to trading my time for dollars, therefore leaving my income potential as far and wide as my audience. 

Do you need help learning how to ethically incorporate these income earners into your practice? My masterclasses Affiliate Marketing Basics For Therapist and How To Build Passive Income With Digital Products, spills the tea as to how to get started so you can start earning extra cash ASAP.

My recommendation for you: sit down and brainstorm ways you can bet on yourself and diversify your income. Don’t forget to get creative and think of both clinical and non clinical ways to expand your income. 

If you need some help with getting the creative juices flowing, feel free to download this PDF freebie that lists 10 potential ideas for you to diversify your income as a therapist. 

Noticing some money blocks? Read my post: The Hidden Power of Positive Money Mindset for Therapists

Therapist Goal Block Reason #4: You’re Not Working Smart Enough

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that working harder will automatically lead to success. However, as a therapist, it’s essential to learn how to work smarter, not just harder. Delegating tasks and automating processes can be a game-changer in freeing up valuable time in your day. Because let’s face it, time is our most limited resource when we live in a world that is constantly calling for our attention. 

Start small. Are there things you can delegate or automate to free up 2 hours of extra time a day?

Outsource things like household chores or meal planning, to create more space for self-care, personal growth, and actions that bring you closer to your dreams. Instead of stressing about laundry or what to cook for dinner, you’ll have the freedom to dive into activities that nurture your well-being. 

By allowing others to help with these mundane tasks, you’re giving yourself permission to prioritize YOU. The extra time and energy gained from outsourcing can be redirected towards self-improvement goals or pursuing new interests.

I know that when I was working as an employee in the community mental health setting, it was really hard to move forward with my goals the way I needed to.

I would start my work day at 8am (meaning I was awake at 7am to get ready), working my butt off until 5-5:30pm, home for something to eat and then quite frankly exhausted. 

There wasn’t much time in the day for me to get anything personal or professional done because I was so zapped from working ,my assigned high acuity back to back caseload.

When I started my private practice however I had control of the type of clients I worked with as well as when I saw them. So instead of seeing 6 people plus meetings back to back. I would schedule clients with 15 minutes in between (leaving time for notes) and never more than 2 back to back.

Also working at home from a telehealth platform allowed me to  throw in a load of laundry here or do a cooking task there in between sessions so I didn’t have to jam it all at the end of the day when I was already exhausted. Integrating household tasks into your workday demonstrates an effective use of time that previously might have been overlooked.

Learning how to work smarter not harder allowed me to prevent burnout and maintain a healthier work-life balance. Embracing automation & delegation doesn’t just save time—it also opens up opportunities for growth, such as pursuing side projects or expanding your practice creatively. Remember, success isn’t just about how much you do but also about how strategically you approach your goals as a psychotherapist.

Can you think of an area within your day that could benefit from a glow-up? You know, a refresh or a new system. If you are feeling stuck in a rut and need an outside set of eyes to help you see areas in your business were you can automate & streamline, lets set up a time to chat in a coaching call.  Your future self will thank you!

Therapist Goal Block Reason #5. You’re Not Working With A Coach 

When it comes to achieving success, having a proven framework to follow can be the ultimate game-changer. Imagine bypassing months or even years of trial and error by simply learning from others’ mistakes and adopting their tried-and-true methods. This not only saves time but also accelerates your progress towards your goals.

By leveraging a proven framework, you can avoid common pitfalls, stay focused on what truly matters, and customize strategies that align with your unique strengths and preferences.

If this all sounds great to you but you have no idea where to start or how to optimize your systems, perhaps it’s time to hire a coach to take a closer look at where you may be going wrong and optimize it for your specific case.

A coach can offer fresh insights and strategies that may not have occurred to you on your own. They serve as a mirror, reflecting back areas for growth and improvement that may be difficult to see when you’re deep in the day-to-day grind. In essence, they are the extra set of eyes and hands that can help propel you forward towards your aspirations with greater efficiency and confidence.

Embracing a coaches’ well-established system not only streamlines your process but also provides you with a clear roadmap to navigate through challenges effectively. You are hiring mentor to guide you every step of the way, sharing valuable insights and strategies that have been tested and refined over time.

Instead of reinventing the wheel, utilizing a proven framework allows you to tap into the wisdom of those who have already walked the path you’re on. This knowledge transfer empowers you to make informed decisions, iterate faster, and ultimately reach your desired outcomes with greater efficiency and confidence.

By capitalizing on the lessons learned and successes achieved by others within your field or industry, you gain access to an invaluable resource that can supercharge your growth trajectory. Instead of starting from scratch and trying to figure out everything on your own, why not leverage the wealth of knowledge available through established frameworks?

This approach not only shortens your learning curve but also enables you to leapfrog ahead in refining your processes or systems more rapidly. Ultimately, it’s about recognizing the value in standing on the shoulders of giants while charting your own course towards sustainable success.

If you are looking to open your private practice as a first time business owner, or maybe even diversify your offerings lets reach out and strategize together during a private coaching call.

Schedule a free 15 minute consultation here to learn more about how coaching can help you meet and exceed your professional goals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, achieving success as a mental health therapist can be challenging when faced with common goal-blocking factors. From feeling obligated to fulfill someone else’s vision to falling into the trap of procrastination, it’s crucial to identify and address these obstacles head-on. Diversifying your strategies and seeking out professional guidance through coaching can provide valuable insights and support in overcoming these challenges. By working smarter, setting realistic goals, and collaborating with a coach, you can enhance your effectiveness as a therapist and move closer towards realizing your full potential in the field.

Take the necessary steps today to break free from these barriers and propel yourself towards greater success in your career as a mental health therapist in private practice.

Email me at Hello@tresslesstherapist.com for guidance and resources on your journey. I am happy to help in any way I can.