Top Tips for New Therapists (and reminders for seasoned ones)

by Shlomit Liz Sanders, LMFT, CCTP

Whether you’re in graduate school or about to start working with clients, congratulations on making it this far!

Entering the field of therapy is both a professional milestone and a profound responsibility. New therapists step into a role that invites them to witness vulnerability, foster resilience, and support meaningful change in the lives of others. This work requires not only clinical knowledge and technical skill, but also empathy, humility, and a commitment to ethical practice.

At the heart of effective therapy is respect- for clients’ lived experiences, autonomy, and cultural identities. New therapists are called to approach their work with curiosity and openness, recognizing that learning continues well beyond formal training. Each therapeutic relationship offers an opportunity to deepen understanding, refine clinical judgment, and grow as a professional.

As new therapists establish their professional identities, they contribute fresh insight and energy to the field. By grounding their work in evidence-based practice, ethical integrity, and compassion, they help create therapeutic spaces where clients feel safe, respected, and empowered to change.

The profession is strengthened by those who enter it with intention, thoughtfulness, and a dedication to ongoing growth. New therapists are not only joining a field—they are shaping its future.

Here are my top tips for beginners:

• You’re not meant to know everything: Whether you’re about to start clinical work or you’ve already met with a few clients, it’s okay to have an array of feelings (even if they feel contradictory). It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers- you’re not supposed to. This thought is meant to bring you comfort and a sense of peace. You’re learning, so give yourself the grace and compassion you deserve.

• Don’t forget to breathe. You’re here to do your best. When meeting with a client, engage with curiosity. Try to focus less on modality or theoretical orientation in the beginning. Be human first; that will take you far. By reminding yourself to breathe before a session and during it, it can help you stay more focused and grounded on the individual before you.

• Never stop learning. As the beginning of the article states, we never stop learning- both personally and professionally. We can learn from everyone and everything; you may not like the setting you’re in, but see what you can learn from it. There’s always something to learn, no matter where you are or who you work with. Using this mindset can help build the resilience that’s often needed in this field.

• Stay humble. This one is so important because we, as therapists, often feel like we should have the answers to everything, and when we don’t, we could feel like frauds (AKA imposter syndrome). Humility is the antidote to imposter syndrome; by reminding ourselves that we’re doing the best we can, it can significantly improve the harsh expectations we may place on ourselves (even unknowingly).

• Private Practice isn’t for everyone. There seems to be a myth that everyone’s ultimate goal should be owning their own practice. The piece that doesn’t get spoken about as much is that there’s a lot that goes into having your own practice that can make it very stressful. It’s okay if it’s not for you- you will find your own way and figure out what’s best for you.

• It’s okay to seek outside guidance/ peer support/ a mentor. Even if you have a supervisor on site, it’s okay and ethical to seek outside guidance and support to help you grow professionally. In many ways, having that compass, and working with someone you trust and can get to know you can help pave the way for you in many ways. Whether they offer you advice, support, guidance or potential future networking possibilities, this can only help you further succeed.

• Find a therapist. This job is difficult and can be stressful, and you will likely be triggered by a case or a client, and that’s completely normal. To help you set appropriate boundaries at work, working through your personal issues and concerns is doing a service for yourself- both personally and professionally, and can help reduce your anxiety as a new clinician.

Shlomit Liz Sanders LMFT, CCTP is a psychotherapist serving NY & NJ, who works with high achieving professionals who feel stuck in their personal life and are looking to improve their confidence, gain clarity and insight into their patterns, and who are looking for lasting-results, utilizing a combination of humor, neuroscience, and somatic approach. In addition, Shlomit works with fellow therapists nationally to provide clinical consultations, overcome imposter syndrome, and help them find their voice, value, and confidence to improve sustainability in our profession.