Gettin' Gritty for Mental Health Therapists: Clinical Confidence + Reassurance, Reframing Imposter Syndrome, Overwhelm and Bu

Stefanie Armstrong + Cathy Schweitzer: Trauma Trained Mental Health Therapists, Practice Owners, Authors and Clinical Supervisors
  • 5.0 (12)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

As a mental health therapist have you ever been awake at 2am replaying sessions in your head, wondering if you’ve done and said the right thing? Do you ever feel isolated, overwhelmed, or unsure of your confidence as a clinician? Do you ever feel like you must be the only mental health therapist who feels this way? You’re not alone, we've been there too.  We’ve lived the long days, secretly thinking "I'm just not good at this yet. My supervisor would do a better job with this client." We've been through the draining sessions, and the silent car rides home where you just can't help from crying. We know the weight of secondary trauma, burnout, and self-doubt and we also know the power of grit, resilience, and community.  We're Cathy and Stef, two "been there, done that" trauma-trained, EMDR-certified, Somatic Experiencing-trained practice owners, and we created The Gritty Therapist as a safe space for clinicians who are tired of feeling like they’re the only ones struggling with confidence and imposter-syndrome.  Our goal: help you feel less isolated and more confident.    Each episode delivers real-talk, grounded in our own experiences with late-night worries, confusion and how we continue to grow our own grit and confidence. We’ll share the exact tools we’ve used to avoid burnout (and get out of burnout!), rebuild confidence, and stay connected to our purpose and passion. You’ll also hear from guest therapists who’ve walked through the trenches and discovered how to grow their gritty confidence while actually having a life outside the therapy room. Whether you’re holding space for vulnerable children, families, or adults, this podcast will remind you that you’re not alone. Together, we’ll explore strategies to help you become a more confident mental health therapist...all while keeping it real, compassionate, and relatable. 👉 Free resources + downloads: www.thegrittytherapist.com 👉 Follow us on Instagram: @grittytherapist

  1. 2H AGO

    EMDR for Kids and Adolescents: The Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol (IATP-C) with Debra Wesselmann LIMHP

    What happens when attachment trauma, EMDR therapy, and family work come together into one powerful foundational protocol? In this episode of Gettin' Gritty for Mental Health Therapists, we sit down with our longtime mentor, supervisor and collaborator Debra Wesselmann, LIMHP co-founder of the Attachment Trauma Center of Nebraska, to tell the story behind the Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children and Adolescents. This conversation is part origin story, part clinical masterclass, part helping you gain the grit!  Deb explains how the protocol provides a clear framework that helps therapists: Reduce chaos in complex child and family casesHelp parents understand behavior through an attachment and trauma lensStabilize the nervous system before trauma processingIntegrate EMDR therapy, family therapy, and attachment repairMove from crisis-driven sessions to intentional trauma treatmentDeb shares how the protocol evolved from years of working with children and families struggling with attachment trauma, behavioral dysregulation, and complex developmental trauma. What began as a challenge, how to integrate family therapy, attachment repair, and EMDR reprocessing, eventually became a structured framework now used by therapists around the world. You’ll also hear the behind-the-scenes story of how Francine Shapiro, the founder of EMDR therapy, encouraged Deb to write the book that would formally introduce the protocol to the field AND how Deb supported and encouraged us to be gritty enough to quit our full-time positions as school counselors, become full time mental health therapists, help develop the protocol, open the Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska, conduct research and write the Integrative Treatment books.  But this episode isn’t just about history. It’s about how therapists can actually do this work.  And if you’re an early-career therapist feeling overwhelmed with complex cases, this episode will remind you that even experienced clinicians started somewhere. Sometimes grit in this field simply means: trying something new before you feel fully ready. Because therapy takes more than knowledge. It takes grit. ✨ Check out our freebies and our NEW Grit School:  Therapist AF: Grit School for the Real World, practical skills, nervous system grounding, and the reps grad school skippedThe Gritty Therapist freebies, tools, and support: thegrittytherapist.comThe Cord Where Science Meets Connection attachment/trauma-focused therapy. Follow along on Instagram @grittytherapist and go get your gritty on. 💛

    27 min

  2. MAR 8

    EMDR with Children: 3 Attachment Interventions for Trauma, Regulation and Parent-Child Connection

    In this episode of The Gritty Mental Health Therapist, we share three EMDR attachment interventions for child therapy. These practical exercises help therapists strengthen parent-child attachment, support nervous system regulation, and repair early trauma wounds. Listen to this one if you’re a therapist who works with:  Children with attachment traumaFoster or adoptive familiesKids with separation anxietyChildren who struggle with emotional regulationClients with histories of neglect or abandonmentWe walk you through three simple, but powerful exercises (well, we think they're powerful because we created them and have the research to prove it, more on that later!) that integrate bilateral stimulation, attachment repair, and co-regulation in therapy sessions with children and parents and what's cool is that these exercises can be found in the book EMDR and Family Therapy: Integrative Treatment for Attachment Trauma in Children By Debra Wesselmann, the 2nd Edition.  What's also cool is that along with Debra Wesselmann, we are the co-founders and original co-authors of this protocol.   In this episode we cover:  • How to expand the Magical Cord of Love attachment exercise using EMDR bilateral stimulation  • A powerful Safe Place for Baby / Nesting Dolls intervention to repair early attachment wounds  • How to use the game, Jenga, as a regulation and attachment exercise to expand a child’s window of tolerance  • Why object constancy and attachment security are often disrupted in children with trauma histories  • How attachment-based EMDR interventions help children build emotional regulation and relational safety  • Why therapists should consider including caregivers and parents in sessions to deepen attachment repair.   ✨ Check out our freebies and our NEW Grit School:  Therapist AF: Grit School for the Real World, practical skills, nervous system grounding, and the reps grad school skippedThe Gritty Therapist freebies, tools, and support: thegrittytherapist.comThe Cord Where Science Meets Connection attachment/trauma-focused therapy. Follow along on Instagram @grittytherapist and go get your gritty on. 💛

    33 min

  3. MAR 1

    Using The Gritty Ninja in Session: Emotional Regulation, Coping Skills and Somatic Awareness

    What if one of your most powerful clinical interventions… was a children’s book? But first... If you want more practical, grounded tools like this, check out our course Where Rookie Means Ready  (yes, it’s intentionally affordable) and grab our free Grit Kit here! Because grit isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the courage to keep trying when things get uncomfortable. And that takes nervous system capacity. In this short and sweet episode, we break down how The Gritty Ninja by Mary Nhin can become a surprisingly effective tool for therapists working with kids, teens, adults...and honestly, ourselves. We unpack the book’s simple definition of grit, “having the courage to keep trying even when faced with challenges”  and explore how the Four C’s (Confident, Calm, Carefree, Capable) map directly into somatic work.  Here’s what we cover: How to introduce a “kids book” to a resistant teen or adult (hint: we all have a younger part inside)Using visualization (image channel) to build confidencePairing positive mantras with interoceptive awarenessHelping clients face fear of failure without nervous system hijackApplying SIBAM (sensation, image, behavior, affect, meaning) in real timeWhy grit isn’t about pushing harder, it’s about expanding the gap between stressor and responseWe walk through how to guide clients to:  ✔ Visualize success  ✔ Notice the sensations that arise  ✔ Adjust posture and behavior  ✔ Name the affect  ✔ Create new meaning (“I am capable”) We talk about how “riding the edges” of a triggering situation builds vagal tone and resilience one gritty step at a time. This episode is also a reminder that therapists need grit too.  If you’ve ever felt intimidated by a new intervention, imposter syndrome, or even hitting record on a podcast…you’re not alone. Therapy takes more than knowledge.  It takes regulation.  It takes repetition.  It takes grit. Because you don’t need to feel perfectly confident to begin. You just need to be willing to try again. We'd love it if you would subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast with your gritty bestie.  And don’t forget to grab our free resources at thegrittytherapist.com.

    15 min

  4. FEB 22

    The Grit Kit Explained: Prepared, Not Perfect. Humility, Confidence and Grit in Mental Health Therapy Work

    Ever walked out of supervision thinking, “I should’ve known that”? Yeah. Us too. But first...get on our newsletter list here! In this episode of The Gritty Mental Health Therapist, we’re digging into a powerful quote that stopped us in our tracks: Be humble in preparation, but confident in execution.-Andy Frisella And we’re unpacking what that really means for therapists in the messy middle of their careers. Because here’s the truth:  Humility doesn’t mean weakness.  Confidence doesn’t mean certainty.  And your inner critic? It’s stealing more clinical energy than you think. We talk about: The vulnerability of asking “basic” questions in supervisionHow overthinking emails (yep, we’ve been there) is often fear in disguiseThe hidden cost of self-criticism in sessionWhy humility actually fuels confident executionHow to build real, embodied confidence through reps, not perfectionThe difference between self-reflection and self-attackWhat to do when you are the barrier in session (without shaming yourself)This episode is a masterclass in gritty awareness, the kind that expands the gap between stressor and response. When you notice the sympathetic spike (“I’m messing this up”), engage your vagal brake, and choose curiosity over criticism,  that’s grit. Confidence isn’t controlling the session.  It’s walking in knowing:  “I don’t know everything. And I can handle what unfolds.” That’s nervous system resilience. That’s rapid parasympathetic recovery. That’s the work. Your action steps from this episode: Practice humility in consultation: bring yourself into the case discussion.After supervision, intentionally notice how your confidence shifts in session.And if you want more practical tools like this, our Grit Kit (monthly email) delivers: 3 books that shaped how we think and practice2 podcasts or episodes that shifted our perspective1 carefully chosen quote (never random, always intentional)Real, human reflections from usWe’re not bots. We’re therapists in it with you. Because grit isn’t grinding.  Grit is growing with regulation, reflection, and confidence. Subscribe, leave a review, and share with your gritty bestie. And don’t forget to grab our free resources at thegrittytherapist.com. Now go widen the gap. 💛

    19 min

  5. FEB 15

    The Missing Piece in Therapist Training: The story behind Where Rookie Meets Ready

    What does it actually mean to be a “gritty” therapist? In this episode of The Gritty Mental Health Therapist, we pull back the curtain on the class we created for new clinicians: Where Rookie Meets Ready: Grit School for the Real World. Because let’s be honest, grad school teaches you interventions… but it doesn’t teach you how to handle the messy middle of being a therapist: uncertainty, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, overthinking after sessions, and the slow burn of burnout. We’re redefining grit in a way that protects your nervous system and your career. In this conversation, we talk about: Why grinding it out is NOT the same as grit (and how it leads to therapist burnout)The difference between self-reflection vs. self-criticismHow to build therapist confidence without pretending you “know it all”Why uncertainty is a normal part of therapy work (and how to tolerate it)How humility and self-awareness make you a stronger clinicianThe simple weekly ritual we love: the Sunday Scaries Reset (and how it helps therapists stay grounded)If you’re a new therapist, provisional therapist, early-career clinician, or even a seasoned therapist feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or burned out, this episode will help you feel less alone and more equipped. Because therapy takes more than knowledge. It takes grit. ✨ Check out our freebies and our NEW Grit School:  Therapist AF: Grit School for the Real World, practical skills, nervous system grounding, and the reps grad school skippedThe Gritty Therapist freebies, tools, and support: thegrittytherapist.comThe Cord Where Science Meets Connection attachment/trauma-focused therapy. Follow along on Instagram @grittytherapist and go get your gritty on. 💛

    18 min

  6. FEB 8

    How the Primal Question Fuels Imposter Syndrome: 3 Steps to Regulate in Session

    Ever found yourself mid-session thinking, “Oh no… what do I say next?” Or felt that sudden spiral of self-doubt that whispers, “Maybe I’m not cut out for this…” You’re not alone. In this episode of The Gritty Mental Health Therapist, we unpack what’s really happening underneath those scramble moments in the therapy room...AND we've created a PDF download that explains the 3 steps!  This conversation dives into the powerful connection between imposter syndrome in therapists and something even deeper: your Primal Question. Based on The Seven Primal Questions by Mike Foster, we explore how therapists’ nervous systems get activated in session and how unconscious primal needs like: Am I safe?Am I secure?Am I loved?Am I good enough?…can fuel imposter syndrome, overwhelm, and that familiar “I don’t know what I’m doing” panic. But here’s the good news: this isn’t something you need to “fix.” It’s something you can notice, name, and work with...with grit. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ Why imposter syndrome often starts with nervous system dysregulation ✅ How your personal Primal Question gets triggered in clinical work ✅ What “the scramble” feels like and why it pulls therapists out of presence ✅ A simple framework to interrupt the spiral: Awareness → Connection → Take Action ✅ How to stay grounded, regulated, and confident, even when you feel unsure ✅ Why building therapist grit is about truth, not perfection We also share how these tools are foundational to our training for early-career clinicians, including our class Where Rookie Meets Ready, designed to help therapists build confidence, regulate self-doubt, and show up with steadiness in session. If you’ve ever struggled with therapist anxiety, imposter syndrome, or feeling thrown off by a client moment, this episode will help you feel more resourced, more aware, and a whole lot less alone. You’re not an imposter...you’re a human doing hard work. And that takes grit. ✨ Check out our freebies and our NEW Grit School:  Therapist AF: Grit School for the Real World, practical skills, nervous system grounding, and the reps grad school skippedThe Gritty Therapist freebies, tools, and support: thegrittytherapist.comThe Cord Where Science Meets Connection attachment/trauma-focused therapy. Follow along on Instagram @grittytherapist and go get your gritty on. 💛

    19 min

  7. FEB 1

    Three Attachment-Based Family Therapy Interventions You Can Use Tomorrow

    Ever find yourself mid-session thinking, “Okay… what do I do next?” In this episode of The Gritty Mental Health Therapist, we kick off a “tomorrow-ready” series, complete with a FREE PDF download (grab yours HERE) just for you!  As mental health therapists we know you want more confidence, more grit, and less imposter syndrome with practical interventions you can use right away. Because well, that's what we need too!  This month’s focus is attachment-based, relational work, because when clients are wounded in relationship, they often need to heal in relationship. Drawing from years of clinical experience and the Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol (developed alongside Deb Wesselmann), we share three simple-but-powerful interventions that strengthen connection between kids, teens, and caregivers (and can be adapted for adult work too). In this episode, you’ll learn 3 relational/attachment interventions you can use tomorrow: Start every session with “What went well this week?” A consistent opener that helps rewire the brain for glimmers, shifts the parent-child dynamic, and builds safety before tackling the hard stuff.The “Magical Cord of Love” (or Caring) exercise A visual, somatic-friendly attachment tool that supports connection through separation anxiety, travel, bedtime struggles, and relationship ruptures—while staying clinically mindful about safety and stability.The “Old Photos” intervention Invite families to bring in pictures from early connection points (or early memories) and narrate positive relational meaning, an often emotional, bonding practice that strengthens attachment and softens conflict cycles.If you’re a therapist who wants concrete therapy interventions, attachment-informed tools, and a more grounded way to support families in session (without overcomplicating it), this episode is for you. Mentioned in the episode: Integrative Attachment Treatment Protocol (and related parenting resources)Deb Dana’s concept of “glimmers” (as a cue for safety and connection)Training and consistency: why these tools work best when repeated session-to-session. Don't forget to grab your FREE PDF download of the interventions covered in this episode. Want to feel more confident using interventions like these? We also share how therapists can build “gritty confidence” so tools don’t fall flat when it’s time to actually use them in the room. ✨ Check out our freebies and our NEW Grit School:  Therapist AF: Grit School for the Real World, practical skills, nervous system grounding, and the reps grad school skippedThe Gritty Therapist freebies, tools, and support: thegrittytherapist.comThe Cord Where Science Meets Connection attachment/trauma-focused therapy. Follow along on Instagram @grittytherapist and go get your gritty on. 💛

    28 min

  8. JAN 25

    Authentic Therapist Identity: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Setting Therapist Boundaries, and Preventing Burnout with Taylor Dibble-Townsend

    What does it actually look like to build a sustainable therapy career while raising babies, surviving burnout seasons, and learning how to leave work at work? In this episode of The Gritty Mental Health Therapist, we sit down with special guest Taylor Dibble-Townsend, a licensed therapist, former intern at The Cord, and now a Gritty Academy Mentor, to talk about what it really takes to grow into yourself as a clinician, especially in the messy middle of your career. Taylor shares her powerful journey from child welfare caseworker to private practice therapist, including the gritty reality of doing internship life while pregnant, exhausted, and raising a toddler and how she learned to balance being a therapist, mom, wife, and human without losing herself in the process. You’ll hear honest reflections on burnout prevention, emotional boundaries, therapist identity development, and the confidence shift that happens when you stop trying to be your supervisor and start becoming you. If you’re an early- to mid-career therapist navigating overwhelm, imposter syndrome, compassion fatigue, or the constant pressure to “do it all,” this episode is full of gritty nuggets you’ll want to take with you into your next workday. ✨ In This Episode, We Talk About: How Taylor built grit through child welfare case management and foster care workThe importance of separating work life vs. home life as a therapistRituals and boundaries that protect your nervous system (and your evenings)Why “I’m not good enough” shows up and how to quiet that voiceTherapist identity: learning to stop trying to be someone else and start being yourselfThe “different hats” mindset: therapist hat vs. mom hat vs. human hatWhat helps therapists avoid burnout: movement, structure, and non-negotiablesA hilarious (and relatable) supervision moment: “Wait… am I arguing with my teen client?”How humility and confidence can coexist in your clinical growth🔥 This Episode Is For You If You’re: ✅ A new therapist feeling overwhelmed or emotionally flooded ✅ Struggling with boundaries, burnout, or taking work home mentally ✅ Navigating imposter syndrome in private practice ✅ A therapist who’s also a parent trying to stay regulated and present ✅ Learning how to build confidence without becoming rigid or arrogant 💛 Gritty Takeaway You don’t have to know everything to be a great therapist. You just have to stay open, humble, and willing to grow and learn how to protect your energy so you can actually sustain this work. ✨ Check out our freebies and our NEW Grit School:  Therapist AF: Grit School for the Real World, practical skills, nervous system grounding, and the reps grad school skippedThe Gritty Therapist freebies, tools, and support: thegrittytherapist.comThe Cord Where Science Meets Connection attachment/trauma-focused therapy. Follow along on Instagram @grittytherapist and go get your gritty on. 💛

    30 min
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About

As a mental health therapist have you ever been awake at 2am replaying sessions in your head, wondering if you’ve done and said the right thing? Do you ever feel isolated, overwhelmed, or unsure of your confidence as a clinician? Do you ever feel like you must be the only mental health therapist who feels this way? You’re not alone, we've been there too.  We’ve lived the long days, secretly thinking "I'm just not good at this yet. My supervisor would do a better job with this client." We've been through the draining sessions, and the silent car rides home where you just can't help from crying. We know the weight of secondary trauma, burnout, and self-doubt and we also know the power of grit, resilience, and community.  We're Cathy and Stef, two "been there, done that" trauma-trained, EMDR-certified, Somatic Experiencing-trained practice owners, and we created The Gritty Therapist as a safe space for clinicians who are tired of feeling like they’re the only ones struggling with confidence and imposter-syndrome.  Our goal: help you feel less isolated and more confident.    Each episode delivers real-talk, grounded in our own experiences with late-night worries, confusion and how we continue to grow our own grit and confidence. We’ll share the exact tools we’ve used to avoid burnout (and get out of burnout!), rebuild confidence, and stay connected to our purpose and passion. You’ll also hear from guest therapists who’ve walked through the trenches and discovered how to grow their gritty confidence while actually having a life outside the therapy room. Whether you’re holding space for vulnerable children, families, or adults, this podcast will remind you that you’re not alone. Together, we’ll explore strategies to help you become a more confident mental health therapist...all while keeping it real, compassionate, and relatable. 👉 Free resources + downloads: www.thegrittytherapist.com 👉 Follow us on Instagram: @grittytherapist

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