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
  • 4.7 (13)
  • 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. 22h ago

    Every Great Mental Health Therapist Starts with Self-Reflection with Seara O'Brien PLMHP

    But first...let's stay connected with all things Gritty.  Jump on our newsletter list here.  Don't worry, we won't overwhelm your inbox with junk.  Just one Gritty email a week to keep you in the loop.  Now, on to the show!  Confidence isn't something you wait for, it's something you build. In this episode of Gettin' Gritty for Mental Health Therapists, we sit down with provisional therapist Seara O'Brien to explore the real, messy, and rewarding journey of becoming a confident trauma therapist. From growing up as a first-generation college student to navigating graduate school, internship, advocacy, and EMDR training, Seara shares the moments that challenged her identity and ultimately strengthened her clinical confidence. Together, we discuss the concept of the wounded healer, why self-awareness is one of a therapist's greatest clinical tools, and how making mistakes, trying new interventions, and reflecting with humility builds lasting confidence. If you're a graduate student, intern, provisional therapist, associate therapist, early-career mental health clinician, or you supervise provisional mental health therapists this conversation is the reminder you need: Confidence isn't a feeling. It's an action. In this episode, you'll learn: Why so many therapists identify as wounded healersHow self-reflection strengthens your clinical effectivenessWhat imposter syndrome really looks like during your provisional yearsWhy advocacy, mistakes, and difficult conversations shape you as a clinicianHow EMDR training can feel overwhelming, and why that's completely normalThe importance of bringing parents into the therapy room, even when it feels uncomfortableWhy confidence comes from taking action, not waiting until you feel readyHow grit is developed one courageous clinical decision at a timeWhether you're learning EMDR, working with trauma, building your clinical identity, or wondering if you're "good enough" to be a therapist, this episode offers practical encouragement grounded in real clinical experience. At The Gritty Mental Health Therapist, we believe the therapists who thrive aren't the ones who pretend to know everything. Thriving therapists are the ones willing to stay curious, embrace discomfort, reflect honestly, and keep showing up for themselves and their clients. Because confidence isn't something you find. It's something you practice. One gritty step at a time. Connect with us! 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.

  2. Jul 26

    Therapist Burnout: A Mental Health Therapist's Story of Anxiety, Burnout, and Recovery

    What happens when the therapist becomes the one who needs help? In this deeply personal episode of Gettin' Gritty for Mental Health Therapists Podcast, Cathy shares the story she's never told publicly: the journey that led to severe therapist burnout, debilitating anxiety, psychiatric hospitalization, and ultimately healing. Through the lens of Mike Foster's Primal Question®, Cathy unpacks how her core question, "Am I secure?", quietly influenced the way she approached money, business ownership, private practice, leadership, and responsibility. What looked like dedication from the outside was, in reality, years of living in what she now knows is the "the scramble" until her nervous system could no longer sustain it. If you're a mental health therapist, private practice owner, supervisor, or helping professional who feels like you're constantly white-knuckling your way through work, this conversation is for you. In this episode, Cathy discusses: What therapist burnout actually felt like from the inside.How chronic stress quietly builds until the nervous system says, "No more."The connection between attachment wounds, the Primal Question®, and professional identity.Running a private practice while carrying the emotional weight of clients and a business.The signs that burnout has become something much more serious.Why asking for help is not weakness, even for therapists.How therapy, self-awareness, and intentional life changes helped Cathy rebuild.Practical lessons every therapist can use to protect their own nervous system before burnout takes over.One of the biggest misconceptions in our profession is that burnout simply means you need to take a vacation or practice more self-care. Cathy's story reminds us that burnout often runs much deeper. Sometimes it asks us to examine the beliefs, fears, and attachment patterns driving the life we've built. If you've ever questioned whether you're carrying too much, wondered if you're "the only therapist struggling," or felt like you're surviving instead of thriving, you're not alone. This episode is an invitation to stop white-knuckling your career and start building a sustainable one. If this conversation resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another therapist who needs the reminder that even the helpers deserve help. Now go get your Gritty on!  Connect with us! 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.

  3. Jul 13

    Three Ways My Primal Question Almost Destroyed Me and How It Became My Greatest Strength as a Mental Health Therapist

    If you're a new mental health therapist, a seasoned clinician, or someone navigating trauma, burnout, or self-doubt, this episode is for you. In this deeply personal episode of The Gettin' Gritty Mental Health Therapist Podcast, Stefanie shares the story behind one of the hardest seasons of her life, including surviving a years-long lawsuit, navigating overwhelming stress, and discovering how understanding her Primal Question completely changed the way she practices therapy and lives her life. Drawing from her experience as an EMDR therapist, trauma therapist, and Primal Question Coach, Stefanie explains how unconscious wounds can shape our decisions, relationships, emotional regulation, and professional confidence. In this episode you'll learn: What the Primal Question is and why it mattersThe three ways Stefanie's patterns nearly derailed her life and careerHow therapists unknowingly enter "the scramble" when their nervous system feels threatenedThe connection between attachment, trauma, EMDR, and nervous system regulationHow to recognize kid logic versus adult logic in yourself and your clientsWhy self-awareness is one of the greatest clinical tools a therapist can developPractical encouragement for therapists facing overwhelming professional or personal challengesWhether you're struggling with therapist burnout, imposter syndrome, compassion fatigue, anxiety, attachment wounds, trauma recovery, or emotional regulation, this episode offers honest conversation, practical insight, and hope. At The Gritty Mental Health Therapist, we believe resilient therapists create more relilient clients. Our mission is helping clinicians build emotional resilience, strengthen clinical confidence, and develop the grit needed to thrive in the mental health profession. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another therapist. Every review helps more clinicians discover the support they need. Now...go get our Gritty on!  Connect with us! 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.

  4. Jun 29

    Dear Younger Therapist Self: What we would telI ourselves about Imposter Syndrome, Over-Responsibility, Clinical Confidence + EMDR Growth

    In this totally unscripted episode of The Gettin' Gritty Podcast for Mental Health Therapists , we reflect on the biggest lessons we've learned after decades of working with children, families, trauma survivors, and fellow clinicians as EMDR therapists, authors, practice owners and humans. Whether you're a new therapist struggling with imposter syndrome, an EMDR clinician building confidence, or an experienced therapist navigating the emotional weight of clinical work, this conversation offers practical wisdom you can actually use.  Together, we explore: Why Cathy's over-responsibility quietly fueled her anxiety, compassion fatigue, and burnout, and how learning appropriate therapeutic responsibility transformed the way she sees her practice.How my imposter syndrome, (it's Stefanie here!) is often evidence that you're stretching into growth rather than proof that you don't belong, even though I was sure I didn't belong! Why taking professional risks, presenting, consulting, and stepping outside your comfort zone builds clinical confidence one rep at a time.A powerful clinical supervision principle every therapist should remember: there are always two sides to every story, and curiosity protects us from clinical bias.How consultation, mentorship, and self-awareness create more effective, grounded trauma therapists.Throughout the conversation, we weave together insights from EMDR therapy, trauma treatment, attachment science, supervision, and years of clinical experience to remind you that confidence is not something you're born with. It is something you build through courage, reflection, and showing up before you feel ready. If you've ever thought: "I'm not a good at this being a therapist thing.""Everyone else knows more than I do.""What if I said the wrong thing?""Will I ever feel less responsible for everything?"...this episode is for you. At The Gritty Therapist, we believe confidence isn't created by searching for perfection, the ultimate intervention or the "right" thing to say. It's created through intentional practice, nervous system regulation, self-exploration, clinical consultation, and choosing courage over comfort, one session at a time. Whether you're learning EMDR, working with trauma, treating attachment wounds, or simply trying to become a more resilient clinician, you'll walk away with practical mindset shifts that strengthen both your clinical skills and your own nervous system. Subscribe and share the show!  ...for weekly conversations about how the Primal Question effects your work with clients and your own self-exploration, use-tomorrow interventions, relatable interviews with therapists just like you, and use-tomorrow interventions giving evidence-based tools: real clinical stories and practical interventions you can use tomorrow.  Now go get your Gritty on!  Connect with us! 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.

  5. Jun 22

    The 3-Pronged Approach: A Powerful Past, Present, Future Intervention for Trauma, Attachment, Nervous System Regulation

    As promised, another use tomorrow intervention just for you! In this episode of The Gettin' Gritty Podcast for Mental Health Therapists we share another one of our favorite "use tomorrow" clinical interventions: the Past, Present, Future Intervention. This simple yet remarkably effective technique helps clients of all ages begin to move out of trauma time, reconnect with present-day safety, and begin imagining a future that feels possible.  This intervention aligns naturally with EMDR's 3-Pronged Approach (but you don't have to be EMDR trained to use it!) by helping clients identify: ✔ Past experiences that continue to hold unresolved distress  ✔ Present triggers that activate old trauma networks  ✔ Future situations where adaptive responses and resilience can be strengthened Through movement, visual cues, grounding, and experiential learning, clients learn to distinguish between what happened then, what is happening now, and what could happen next. This creates opportunities for increased regulation, stronger orientation to the present, and access to the adaptive information necessary for healing and reprocessing.  In this episode, you'll learn:  How to use the Past, Present, Future Intervention with children, adolescents, and adults  Why trauma survivors often become stuck in "trauma time"  How chronic trauma and attachment wounds can impact a client's ability to envision the future  Ways to strengthen present-moment awareness and nervous system regulation  How this intervention supports EMDR's Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model  Practical EMDR interweaves for clients who become stuck during reprocessing  Strategies for identifying and targeting present triggers connected to past experiences  How to integrate attachment-focused interventions into trauma treatment  Creative ways to use movement, visual aids, and somatic awareness in session  How building the "language of therapy" improves client insight and treatment outcomes  Why future-oriented work is often a missing piece in trauma recovery and EMDR treatment planning We discuss how this intervention can be incorporated into EMDR preparation, resourcing, reprocessing, present trigger work, and future template development, making it a versatile tool for therapists working with attachment trauma, foster and adoptive families, complex PTSD, developmental trauma, and nervous system dysregulation.  At The Gritty Therapist our mission is to help therapists build clinical confidence through practical, evidence-informed interventions that can be implemented immediately.  Now go get your Grit on!  Connect with us! 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.

  6. Jun 15

    From Self-Doubt to Connection: What Every Therapist Needs to Hear with Erika Hanna Part Two

    What happens when you're a brand-new therapist sitting in sessions thinking, "I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing"? In Part 2 of our conversation with therapist Erika Hanna, we get real about the insecurities, negative beliefs, and growing pains that so many therapists experience but rarely talk about out loud. Erika shares what it was like stepping from graduate school into real-world clinical work, navigating imposter syndrome, learning not to take client departures personally, and discovering that being a mental health therapist isn't about having all the answers. This episode is a powerful reminder that grit isn't confidence. Grit is staying in it when you're unsure. It's trusting the process when you feel overwhelmed. It's continuing to show up for clients while learning to extend compassion to yourself. We also explore one of the biggest lessons therapists learn over time: you working harder, pushing harder and worrying more, won't make clients heal faster. Erika shares her journey of moving away from the urge to "fix" or convince clients and toward respecting client readiness, autonomy, and the therapeutic process. As always, we bring the conversation back to what matters most: connection. While many therapists feel pressure to master every diagnosis, modality, and intervention, Erika reminds us that healing often begins with something much simpler. Being present. Being authentic. Creating a space where clients feel seen, heard, and accepted. In this episode, we discuss:  Imposter syndrome and self-doubt as a new therapist  Why grit matters more than perfection in clinical work  Learning not to personalize client cancellations, no-shows, and termination  The tension between wanting to help and respecting client readiness  Self-care, therapist burnout prevention, and intentional nervous system regulation  The pressure therapists feel to know everything  Why therapeutic relationship and connection matter more than technique alone  The role of authenticity in building trust with clients  Erika's work with Access Period, a Nebraska nonprofit addressing period poverty and how taking meaningful action outside the therapy room can build hope and resilience Whether you're a practicum student, intern, provisional therapist, seasoned clinician, or somewhere in the messy middle of your career, this conversation offers a grounded reminder that therapy takes more than knowledge. It takes courage, humility, self-awareness, and grit. Because at the end of the day, clients aren't looking for a perfect therapist. They're looking for someone willing to sit with their story and not look away. Go get your gritty on. Connect with us! 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.

  7. Jun 8

    From Teacher to Mental Health Therapist: Building Confidence and Trusting Your Instincts with Erika Hanna Part One

    What does grit look like when life doesn't follow the plan? In this episode of Gettin' Gritty for Mental Health Therapists, we sit down with therapist Erika Hanna to explore the winding path from teacher to therapist, the challenges of balancing motherhood and career aspirations, and the courage it takes to trust your inner knowing when the next step isn't clear. Erika shares how unexpected detours led her to communities she never anticipated serving, how becoming a parent reshaped her perspective on helping others, and what it was really like transitioning from graduate student to practicing therapist. We unpack the role of nervous system awareness, attachment, and self-trust in building a sustainable career in mental health. This conversation is a powerful reminder that grit isn't about having all the answers. It's about staying present in the messy middle, listening to what your body and mind are telling you, and continuing to move forward even when confidence hasn't caught up yet. Erika also shares her passion for Access Period a non-profit that helps combat period poverty by providing free menstrual products to anyone who needs them in Nebraska.  If you've ever questioned your path, doubted your abilities, or wondered whether you're really ready for the next step, this episode is for you. We discuss:  Transitioning from teaching to therapy  Trusting your intuition and nervous system cues  The challenges of motherhood and professional identity  Finding purpose through unexpected career detours  Moving from intern to therapist with confidence  Why growth often happens before you feel ready  What grit really looks like in the therapist journey Because therapy takes more than knowledge. It takes grit. 💛 Connect with us! 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.

  8. Jun 1

    The Primal Question: How Your Own Wounds Might Be Showing Up in the Therapy Room Part Two

    Have you ever found yourself feeling unusually reactive with a client, struggling to let go of a case, over-functioning in session, or questioning whether you're "doing enough" as a therapist? In Part 2 of our conversation about The Primal Question by Mike Foster, we're exploring how our deepest emotional wounds can quietly influence the way we show up in our clinical work, supervision relationships, businesses, and personal lives. From feeling unloved, unsafe, or unsuccessful, these unconscious "scrambles" often drive behaviors that leave therapists exhausted, frustrated, and stuck. In part two of our conversation we get honest about our own primal questions, how these patterns show up in our real-life therapy situations, and why self-awareness may be one of the most important clinical skills we've ever developed. And we encourage the same for you!  If you've ever wondered why certain clients trigger you, why some cases feel harder to hold than others, or why you keep repeating the same patterns professionally, this conversation will help you connect the dots. In this episode, we discuss: ✨ What Mike Foster's "Primal Question" framework is and why it resonates with therapists ✨ The difference between "kid logic" and "adult logic" when you're emotionally activated ✨ How therapists unknowingly bring their own attachment wounds into session ✨ Why feeling unsuccessful can lead therapists to refer out clients prematurely ✨ How understanding your primal gift can improve supervision, consultation, and clinical growth ✨ Real-life examples of how primal questions show up in business partnerships, parenting, and relationships ✨ Practical ways to notice when you're in "the scramble" and regulate before reacting The most effective therapists aren't the ones who know the most interventions. They're the ones willing to do the deep self-reflective work that allows them to stay regulated, grounded, and present when clients need them most. Because therapy takes more than knowledge. It takes grit. Connect with us! 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.

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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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