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Why I started my Private Practice

gilljacksoncounsel

Updated: Oct 1, 2024

Author: Gill Jackson

First published: 29/03/2022

Updated: 01/10/2024

A coffee mug on a table with the word begin


Who starts a business in a global pandemic?!!

Due to the substantial reduction in our household expenses during the lockdown, with no family outings, minimal fuel costs, and absence of dining out or meeting friends for coffee, we decided it was an opportune moment for me to take the risk of earning very little or nothing for a little while.

Plus I hoped a private practice would bring me the work/life balance I always wanted and of course would allow me to undertake my passion of helping others potentially every working day.


How to find a silver lining- get made redundant so decide to follow your life long dream!


I had Imposter Syndrome

I have been a qualified Therapeutic Counsellor since 2007 but always felt unable to have my own private practice and commit to the job full-time because it was just too plain scary! How would I pay my bills if I didn't get any clients? How would I pay the mortgage and feed the kids and animals? (For those who don't know me I have 3 kids and many many pets!)


I suffered from imposter syndrome- surely I needed more and more supervised clinical hours and maybe even my PHD to open my own practice??! Surely I needed even more training- which for a while I undertook thinking this would eradicate the imposter syndrome, inevitably it didn't.

I always felt I needed a "real" job (teaching, in HR, etc.) in order to pay my bills and therapy was basically a (very expensive) hobby on the side. But being a therapist IS a real job. It was time to pull up my big girl pants and go for it.


Gill Jackson smiling at the camera

 

Helping people makes me feel good.

Many people think therapists are these totally selfless angel like people- sadly I can burst that bubble straight away for you! We are flawed humans like everyone else but as a group we are normally very empathic and caring people. I love helping people- all of my jobs have been helping roles and I have got a buzz out of all of them.


So I have not set up my private practice to be totally selfless and I am not sadly running a charity (who knows maybe in the future!!). It is a business and I charge because I need to clothe and feed everyone at home BUT I have the best job in the world in my opinion because I get to work with different people and help them through some of life's biggest challenges!


Lockdown 1 made me aware of a mental health crisis in the UK, prompting me to establish my practice to offer assistance. In addition, I provide a limited number of pro bono and low-cost sessions for individuals in need who cannot afford therapy, a gesture I prefer to keep relatively quiet. I collaborated with numerous NHS staff during the pandemic and volunteered my services to support those impacted by the conflict in Ukraine. I remain committed to contributing in any way possible.


"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

Confucius


 

Mental Health and me

I wrote a previous blog about my post-natal experiences of depression and anxiety. I have always been an anxious person, even as a child I would worry about everything- school, friendships, my family, the past, the future. All these worries in one tiny little head...which is pretty sad really in retrospect.


But this is not a pity party believe me, quite the opposite. Had I not had these experiences and struggles I don't think I would have felt quite so compelled to become a counsellor and help other people with their mental health. My experiences also helped me to really know what my niche area would be- anxiety and depression. My personal experiences in this area mean I genuinely get it and empathise deeply when my clients describe their symptoms, my heart goes out to them and the mission begins to empower them to manage their mental health.


As an adult I have gone on to realise that I have ADHD and to seek a diagnosis. A combination of this realisation, the lengthy assessment waiting lists, working with many clients with neurodiversity and having close family with neurodiversity inspired me to qualify as a certified ADHD Coach and to undertake ADHD assessment training- assessments coming soon!


 

Where am I now?

I'm earning a living and doing my own taxes (which sounded terrifying at first but actually was pretty simple!) and I really do love every single day of work.

I no longer have the Sunday night/Monday morning dread or a long commute. I can do the school runs most days and cook tea at a reasonable hour and work at times to suit me and my family.


My work schedule is really varied, which suits me perfectly given my ADHD tendencies. I see private practice clients, collaborate with excellent local and national companies to provide therapy to their employees, conduct workshops and training courses, participate as a guest speaker, create training materials for other providers, and provide clinical supervision to therapists and coaches. Additionally, I organize annual retreats. I am soon going to begin offering ADHD Coaching and Assessments to address long waiting lists and broaden my capacity to assist even more people.


Don't get me wrong there are challenges to being a therapist, and to being self-employed for that matter. I have to attempt to remember to actually advertise myself so people can find me! Which normally involves posting on various social media platforms and sending out emails to my email list (there's not much point sitting there all qualified without anyone knowing you exist!)

Dealing with various business tasks such as writing blogs, creating websites, handling taxes, and managing social media was a new experience for me. Overcoming these challenges has gradually pushed away the feelings of imposter syndrome. With each obstacle conquered, my confidence grows as my business continues to thrive.


Up to now, I have encountered and collaborated with some remarkable people, including an outstanding supervisor, and I have been fortunate to receive multiple awards for my efforts.


Some of my awards to date;








 

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Author: Gill Jackson of Gill Jackson Therapeutic Counselling, BA Hons Counselling, Diploma in Couples and Family Therapy, Diploma in EFT, CIPD, SMACCPH


Bio: I am a Therapist/Psychotherapist, Accredited Mentor, Teacher/trainer, ADHD assessor and ADHD Coach and Clinical Supervisor in private practice in the UK. Qualified since 2007. Working with adults, young adults and couples, specialising in Anxiety and Depression.


 

This article is not intended as a replacement for medical advice, if you are suffering from any physical or mental ill health please seek advice of your Doctor where necessary.


Images used with permission from Wix and Unsplashed.






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