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. 6d ago

    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.

    22 min

  2. 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.

    22 min

  3. 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.

    17 min

  4. May 26

    The Primal Question: Exploring What's Underneath Anxiety, Relationships & Clinical Work-Part One

    What if the behaviors, anxiety, relationship struggles, perfectionism, and even therapist imposter syndrome all trace back to one core question running quietly beneath the surface? In this raw and unfiltered conversation, we dive deep into The Primal Question framework by Mike Foster and explore how these core emotional needs shape us personally, professionally, and clinically. From nervous system regulation to attachment wounds to therapist countertransference, this episode goes to the “why” underneath the scramble. Cathy shares how her primal question, Am I Secure?, shows up in money fears, clinical work, and even business ownership. I, Stefanie, open up about my question, Am I Loved?, and how fears of rejection can surface inside the therapy room. Together, we unpack how understanding the primal question can become a powerful roadmap for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and stronger therapeutic relationships. This conversation is especially powerful for EMDR therapists, somatic therapists, trauma therapists, and clinicians who want to better understand how their own nervous system responses show up in session. Inside this episode we cover:   ✨ How the “scramble” connects to autonomic nervous system dysregulation  ✨ Why therapists get emotionally triggered in session  ✨ How attachment wounds shape clinical work and relationships  ✨ The connection between trauma, somatics, and core emotional needs  ✨ Using self-awareness to reduce burnout and imposter syndrome  ✨ Why healing starts beneath the behaviors If you’ve ever found yourself overthinking sessions, needing reassurance, people pleasing, fearing rejection, or feeling emotionally activated by clients, this episode will hit home in the best possible way. This is Part 1 of a deeply honest two-part series. 🔥 Ready to build more confidence and stop second-guessing yourself as a therapist? Check out our new training: Clinician Rewired: Grit Over Good Intentions Designed for therapists who are tired of feeling stuck in imposter syndrome and ready to feel more grounded, regulated, and confident in the therapy room. If this episode resonated with you:  ⭐ Follow and subscribe  ⭐ Leave a 5-star review   ⭐ Share with another therapist who needs this conversation 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.

    22 min

  5. May 18

    The Nesting Dolls Intervention: Integrating Parts of Self, Emotional Regulation, and Memory Networks

    What if the “big reaction” your client is having to everyday things isn’t manipulation, defiance, or attention-seeking… but a younger part stepping forward asking for care and trying to protect? In this episode of The Gettin’ Gritty Podcast for Mental Health Therapists, we walk you through one of our favorite trauma-informed interventions: the nesting dolls intervention for working with younger parts of self, attachment wounds, shame, and emotional triggers.  Using simple stacking dolls, we explain how therapists can help both children and adults begin making sense of why certain situations pull them into “kid logic,” dysregulation, or deeply wounded emotional states. This is not about pathologizing clients or diving straight into trauma processing. It’s about building insight, compassion, regulation, and a cohesive narrative before the deeper work begins. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: ✨ How to introduce the nesting dolls intervention with kids and adults ✨ The difference between parts of self and dissociation ✨ Why “triggered” behavior often comes from younger wounded parts ✨ How this intervention reduces shame and builds self-compassion ✨ Ways to incorporate attachment-focused resourcing and EMDR concepts ✨ Tips for using this intervention with parents in the room ✨ Practical “pro tips” for choosing and using nesting dolls in session We also share how this intervention naturally bridges into EMDR resourcing, attachment repair, and building therapist confidence in trauma work. You'll find that this intervention will help clients understand the younger parts of themselves that still need safety, attunement, and connection. 💛  ⭐ Love the show? Share it with another therapist and leave a review to help us grow this gritty little corner of the mental health world. 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.

    26 min

  6. May 10

    Why Good Intentions Aren’t Enough: Building Grit and Resilience as a Mental Health Therapist

    Do you feel like you are a "good therapist" but there's just something missing? In this honest and practical episode of The Gettin’ Gritty Podcast for Mental Health Therapists, we dive into the difference between good intentions and clinical grit. Because empathy, active listening, and caring deeply about clients matter... but they are not always enough to create transformation. This episode explores the uncomfortable but necessary actions therapists must sometimes take to help clients move forward: asking hard questions, challenging patterns, setting boundaries, involving families, and stepping outside our own comfort zones as clinicians. We share real clinical examples from trauma therapy, attachment work, therapist supervision, and family systems work to show how therapists can get “lost in the weeds” of being well-intentioned without taking the gritty clinical actions that foster actual change. You’ll also hear:  Why good intentions can sometimes make therapists feel better more than clients  How nervous system regulation and therapist discomfort are connected  The importance of relational and attachment-focused therapy  Why self-exploration is critical for therapist growth  How therapist grit builds confidence, resilience, and stronger clinical outcomes  A practical “call to action” challenge you can use immediately in your sessions this week If you’re a mental health therapist struggling with burnout, self-doubt, stuck cases, people-pleasing in the therapy room, or fear of challenging clients and families, this episode will feel like a deep exhale and a gentle push forward all at once. 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.

    22 min

  7. May 3

    Don’t Force It: The Grit of Letting Therapy be Human with Becky Caldwell

    What happens when a fourth-grade teacher walks into a counseling class… and never looks back? In this episode, we sit down with Becky Caldwell, therapist and co-host of the  Probably Bad Advice Podcast to talk about her unconventional path into the therapy world and the real, unfiltered experience of becoming a clinician later in life. We get into the stuff that doesn’t make it into textbooks:  – The shock of hearing trauma for the first time  – Carrying clients’ stories home in your body  – Imposter syndrome that whispers, “Who do you think you are?” – And the moment you realize… you don’t actually have to have all the answers Becky shares how her age and life experience became an unexpected superpower in the therapy room, why connection matters more than technique, and what it really means to build grit as a therapist (hint: it’s not about pushing harder). We also talk about:  -Letting go of perfection and embracing presence  -The power of slowing down instead of “fixing”  -Navigating rejection when a client doesn’t come back  -Creating spaces for women to rediscover who they are outside of their roles If you’re a new therapist who's a little "older" (don't worry Becky says the same thing), a seasoned one, or somewhere in the messy middle, which is ALL of us, this episode will remind you: You’re not alone, you’re not doing it wrong, and the work is deeper and grittier than you think. You can find Becky on Instagram @probablybadadvicepodcast  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.

    29 min

  8. Apr 26

    Clients Hesitant to Start Trauma Work? 3 Metaphors to Reduce Anxiety and Build Readiness with children, adolescents and adults

    How do you actually start trauma work with clients… without overwhelming them or shutting them down? If you’ve ever found yourself thinking,  “I know what to do clinically… but how do I bring this up? ...this episode is for you. In this conversation, we’re breaking down 3 simple, powerful metaphors you can use immediately to help clients safely approach trauma work—without flooding their nervous system or reinforcing avoidance. Because here’s the truth: Trauma work doesn’t start when you say “let’s process this.” It starts the moment safety, connection, and regulation enter the room. Inside this episode, we walk you through three go-to interventions we’ve used over and over again with kids, teens, and adults:  The Dark Basement: learning to approach trauma with the “lights on” (aka regulation + present-day awareness)  The Monster in the Closet: why avoidance keeps fear alive and how gentle exposure builds safety  The Glass in the Knee: understanding why unprocessed trauma festers—and how healing actually happens These aren’t just “cute metaphors.”  They’re clinical tools grounded in how the nervous system processes threat, memory, and safety. When clients feel like they’re going back into the trauma alone, their system says nope. But when you expand the gap between stressor and response, when you bring in co-regulation, orientation, and choice, that’s where grit is built.  That’s the work. You’ll walk away from this episode with:  Clear language to introduce trauma work without resistance Practical tools you can use in session today A deeper understanding of how to support regulation while doing hard work And a reminder that healing happens in relationship—not isolationWhether you’re a new therapist or you've been around for a while, this episode will help you feel more confident, more grounded, and a whole lot more gritty. 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.

    26 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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