That’s Our Time: Embracing the Nerves of New Beginnings
New beginnings can be intimidating, even exciting ones. I’ve personally launched and abandoned four previous blogs, all drenched in adolescent angst (and now scrubbed from the Internet, thankfully). This new space, That’s Our Time, is different—I’m ready to embrace the nerves and share authentic reflections with you.
My First Client as a New Therapist
One of my most intimidating beginnings came during my first client session as a fresh-faced intern therapist in graduate school. Two years of classes and preparation culminated in one moment: a real client, ready to meet me the very next day.
Naturally, panic set in. Questions and fears swirled:
Was it really okay for this client to work with me?
Would I know what to do?
How much should I even charge?
I arrived over an hour early, meticulously fluffing pillows, rearranging clocks, rereading intake paperwork, and mentally preparing for every possible scenario.
By 5 PM, I met my client—and the session went well. I didn’t feel like a complete failure, though yes, I did lie on the floor afterward.
Lessons from Anxiety and Newness
The key takeaway? As a new therapist, the best thing you can bring into the counseling room is yourself.
All the theories, interventions, and tools in the world matter, but in moments of anxiety and new beginnings, the most important element is:
Being a non-judgmental, welcoming, compassionate presence
Trusting that your authentic self is enough
Leaning into discomfort and growth
Even now, after two and a half years of practice, I still feel pre-session jitters, send panicked texts, and revisit supervision—but I’ve grown more comfortable sitting in the tension of newness.
Embracing New Beginnings
Starting That’s Our Time is a reminder that growth comes from showing up, even when we’re scared. I’m excited to explore this space with you, share reflections, and witness how each of us navigates our own terrifying yet rewarding new beginnings.
Thanks for joining me. I hope today gives you a little courage to lean into your own moments of newness.
Read the rest of this essay on Substack!
If you're interested in learning more about my counseling approach, visit the About Me page.