I have been qualified as a practicing counsellor for a year now.
That’s approximately 240 hours of client centred therapy.
Quite a lot, you may think, given the fact that said counsellor has been occasionally suffering from bouts of imposter syndrome during the past year.
I’m only just emerging from imposter syndrome and today was an example of feeling stretched and truly challenged as a professional counsellor as I was not only faced with a safeguarding issue which necessitated liaising with a host of medical professionals but had to deal with a client , I felt I couldn’t help in the way they wanted me to.
You can feel somewhat isolated as a counsellor
You have to think on your feet,
You have to remain honest and objective
And you have to be able to listen to that inner voice, the one that sometimes screams to high heaven
When all about you is silent.
I needed that challenge this week
And I enjoyed dealing with it all in a professional, slightly stressed sort of way
Blimey, has it really been a year? Today you've proved to yourself what we've all known from day one, that you have what it takes to succeed. Enjoy that glow, you've earned it! xx
ReplyDeleteThank you dearHeart
DeleteI KNOW!!!! I had the very same thought!
DeleteJohn, I am glad for that 'glow'. I love watching your confidence build.
👏🏻👏🏻🙏🌈😇😀
DeleteYay you! And I am not surprised. Haven’t met you (yet :) but this sounds very on brand. Olivia
ReplyDeleteThank u Olivia x a lovely name
DeleteGood for you John, you can be proud that you are truly qualified now. That year passed rather quickly for us readers, maybe slower for you. Hugs, Gigi
ReplyDeleteThank you Gigi
DeleteI'd prefer a therapist with imposter syndrome, which to me implies a certain humbless and willingness to listen--than the usual arrogant know it all asshole one is more often hooked up to. You re very qualified and I m sure your nursing capability hapls handle crises or stressful situations very vell
ReplyDeleteI question every aspect of my therapy ,
DeleteThe stress isn’t necessarily welcome but the reinforcement that you do in fact know what you’re doing and know when to escalate is reassuring. You’ve got this!
ReplyDeleteThank you my dear friend , I felt in control today
DeleteI think that’s awesome!
ReplyDeleteAs someone who benefits enormously from counseling, I am 300% behind you on this.
Kudos.
XOXO
Hugs my dearHeart
DeleteDa iawn I chi ! I don’t think there are many professional jobs that don’t have imposter syndrome! It is a miracle we all survive and so do 99% of the clients. Llongyfarchiadau John am flwyddyn dda - congratulations John on a great year despite all your own tribulations 🥂💕💕
ReplyDeleteDiolch i ti, fy ffrind annwyl, am y geiriau hyn. Xxx
DeleteGood for you, John! Be proud of your accomplishments and growth as a practitioner!
ReplyDeleteMy der friend
DeleteYou have never been an imposter, John, not for one second. I believe your clients are so lucky to have you. Sending you a gigantic
ReplyDeletehug! I wish it was in person! Carol in Atlanta
Thank you carol
DeleteI have but I’m over it
ReplyDeleteGood to hear!
DeleteNope, there is no imposter in you at all. You're genuine through and through and your clients are lucky to have you listen with your heart, soul, and ears to what they need to say.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Hugs
DeleteWell done, John dear! It's wonderful to "hear" the pride & satisfaction in your voice that a well-met challenge has provided. Hugs to you, and a well-deserved gin and tonic.
ReplyDeleteI loved the challenge of today , very much
DeleteThe more experience you acquire, the more resilient you will become in processing the emotional toll that must affect all serious counsellors. Hey! Maybe I should have been a counsellor!
ReplyDeleteSeveral students on my course, I felt shouldn’t be counsellors , they are….
Deleteyou are wise, John. One of the most stellar mentors I ever had in my life was a nursing supervisor who always said...*always listen to your inner voice because it will almost never be wrong*.Thank you Elaine, for guiding me along my 40 year nursing career path with that sage counsel. You have the wisdom, John....share it freely.......
ReplyDeleteSusan M/ Calif.
Amen dear susan , that inner voice has saved me many times over the years
DeleteThat must be such a stressful profession John. To make a long story short, I once received a phone call from a woman reaching out for help. She was badly beaten by her husband and was calling for my friend who wasn't there. The fear in her voice was palpable. I spent hours calling police, a woman's shelter and others trying to get her help. I was finally able to get someone but I was shaking afterwards and couldn't stop thinking about it for weeks. It was a harrowing experience.
ReplyDeleteIs it difficult to turn off for you?
Sometimes….my supervision helps
DeleteAnother hill surmounted. You should feel more confident going forward. Thank god people are so very much more aware of safe guarding these days than when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteWe are emboldened with policy
DeleteI have often had imposter syndrome when nursing in a new area. It's hard and the only was to make it go away is time and practice, which you're doing. Well done:)
ReplyDelete😇🙏🌈
DeleteListening to other people's problems every day would drive me bonkers. So well done John; we need people like you!
ReplyDeleteI think you do that everyday anyway dear old friend
DeleteIt must really feel lonely making decisions in those situations. Well done for caring and coping at such a difficult time.
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate MIND has some talented staff that I could bounce off
DeleteHard to believe it is a year - time certainly flies. Imposter syndrome is healthy, in it's way. Keeps you questioning yourself and all you do. But remember this: you are a natural born healer. That is why you are a nurse ( and a good one) and why and how others respond to you. I remember the very same agonies when you became a Samaritan. All part of your process. All you. And all good.
ReplyDeleteThank you🙏
DeleteThe others have said it all....keep on keeping on, you're doing well xx
ReplyDeleteThank you dearHeart
DeleteWhat you described about your counseling job kind of reminded me about the isolation of being a teacher. Even though it is quite different than being a counselor, in many ways it is the same too. I just watched your video of zip lining on your previous post. I zip lined in Costa Rica years ago, but we were sitting up, not in the position you were in. I would have been scared to death!
ReplyDeleteSat up? Like on the toilet?
DeleteYes, like on the toilet with my legs out in front.
DeleteOh god
DeleteYour experience with imposter syndrome, will help you understand the insecurities of your clients. That is so important. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with this , my supervisor loves my questioning and charges accordingly
DeleteI concur that your nursing experience most likely makes you a better counselor. I am proud of you!
ReplyDeleteIt’s helped me not to look shocked at absolutely anything
DeleteTime flies! Like a zip line! Seems like only days ago you were decked out in your sporty new jumper and scarf, heading off to your new career! Congratulations and bless you for helping so many people.
ReplyDeletelol my chic Eleanor scarf , still my pride of place
DeleteCongratulations on your first year of successful counselling, just one of many to come I hope. A counsellor with imposter syndrome is one that can continue to learn, and you are never too high and mighty to think you don't need that. We all do. xx
ReplyDeleteI’m mindful not to be too confident
DeleteJohn! Look at what you've done and accomplished! You know there is an entire community here who is so very proud of you and who has deep confidence in you.
ReplyDeleteAndries value that blind but welcome support xx
DeleteCongratulations, John. Do your best like you always do and you will be great!
ReplyDeleteI saw Donna from my old counselling class the other day and she is in the same place , it did me good
DeleteIts a good sign that you enjoyed the challenge even if it might have been stressful... You know... i think its about time you get paid for your counseling.... yes? no? Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteI do get paid now deb and expenses! Whoooo!
DeleteI'm so glad to hear that!!!
DeleteAwesome John!
ReplyDelete🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜
DeleteA good counselor/therapist is worth their weight in gold. So there you go, where a little extra weight is working for you. XO
ReplyDeleteTee hee🦕
DeleteI keep saying I am but I am clearly not....It ceases to amaze me how quickly a year flies! I cannot believe that you would feel like an imposter considering how hard you worked to get your quals. What an amazing year and what an achievement; if I needed a counsellor (and one could argue sometimes that I do)I would pick you! Your approach to the stressful situations you find yourself in because of your vocation(s) is commendable!
ReplyDeleteThat’s very kind xx
Delete