⚖️ How do Caseload Dips Make You Feel?

I've been building something — a chatbot mentor for therapists navigating private practice. Business questions, ethics, career decisions — a first touchpoint when you don't know where to start. (Not a replacement for supervision or deep reading). I Would love for you to try it and tell me what you think.

How do the ups and downs in practice impact you emotionally? How do these feelings impact your therapy work?

Do you get worried about finances or are you able to keep a calm head? Are you able to view it as that- nature of the business or do you perhaps take it as a reflection of your skills?

The unpredictable nature of private practice can bring up a range of emotions- anxiety, panic, self-doubt, fear. Regulating them is essential because the feelings may overshadow clinical decisions and lead to errors. For instance-

• It can make it difficult to refer a potential client ahead even though you know your skills may not be a good fit.

• It may lead to delaying termination for a client who may be ready for it.

Upcoming Dip: Summer Vacations

Over the years, I have heard about the ‘June Slump’ in practice from several colleagues. If you work with kids/adolescents or with parents of school kids- summer vacation is often a time for travel and your Calendar may look emptier than usual.

Knowing about the patterns of these slumps can help to navigate some of these feelings. To read more about managing holiday caseload dips, check out this previous edition on the December Holiday dips. 

If you have more tips on how you manage these emotions- I’d love to hear!

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