If You’re In Private Practice…This Might Be For You

If you’re a counsellor or therapist in private practice – no, you’re not going mad. To meet your client’s therapeutic needs (all of them, varied, across different levels of care, safety and awareness) and meet your own whilst simultaneously being in the world as a functioning adult is almost impossible. ‘Self care!’ the BACP (*other ethical body memberships available) cries. But…what does that even mean? And if you’re struggling, does that mean you’re not doing a good enough job of it?

In the (relatively short time) I’ve been running my own multi-room practice, and really ever since I started working therapeutically with clients, it’s become more and more apparent that we cannot meet our needs alone. This is exactly what we’d tell our clients, right? 

So yes, supervision. And yes, CPD. But before that? The structure? The foundation? The environment that actually supports us to function sustainably? Or – just as relevant – to the side of those things? Above them? 

That’s why I’ve begun to develop the Insightful Practice Model, based on the idea that in order to thrive, the environment and support structures that are available to therapists needs to meet a basic level of requirement. It’s inspired by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, trauma-informed systems, and the idea that belonging is essential to functioning. In simpler terms – we need a holding environment too.

The model looks at support in layers:

• Foundational needs – the basic practical things that reduce friction, stress and cognitive load

• Relational needs – connection, peer support, a sense of belonging

• Professional needs – reflective spaces, access to knowledge, ethical and structured practice

• Insightful practice – being able to show up fully with clients, and sustain your work meaningfully over time

I’d love to hear your thoughts, your opinions and your feedback – after all, this model is being developed for you, the therapists who are living the reality every day, and for the practices and services that rely on you. How can we put our clients first if we’re not being put first, too?