What makes a therapist successful?

Photo above by the blowup on Unsplash

What makes a successful therapist?

That’s the question my friend Uriah posed to me on his podcast.

I wasn’t prepared for the question, and it took me a minute to formulate an answer.

And while I think my answer was a pretty good one (more on that in a moment), I also want to admit that I’m not really qualified to answer the question.

We all get to define for ourselves what success means. I suspect typically when someone mentions, “oh, so-and-so is very successful” what they really mean is that so-and-so does well financially.

But success often doesn’t have much to do with money. Sure, we all need some degree of financial support, but leading a successful, fulfilling and meaningful life requires much more.

My favorite definition of success comes from a fellow financial planner, Carolyn McClanahan:

Now that’s a definition of success I can get excited about!

So what makes a successful therapist?

I believe what makes a therapist successful is the same thing that makes anyone successful: relating to life openly and honestly.

A willingness to see reality clearly — and with more curiosity than judgment.

Curiosity > Judgment

A curious posture combined with a willingness to see what's truly happening in your life... that allows you to respond rather than simply react.

And that's not only a good way to go through life, but also an excellent way to approach your financial life.

Being honest, open-minded and willing enables you to show up and make the right financial moves for you.

And that type of journey is one that almost invariably leads to success - whatever success means to you.

Other topics from the podcast 🔊

Listen to the whole podcast episode, where Uriah and I explore:

• How to handle the “shoulds” that show up in your money life.
• Why experiencing imposter syndrome is good news.
• How to think through setting your rate and navigate fee-setting advice from colleagues; and
• How to determine the “right” profit margin for your practice.

Bonus Episode: 5 Tips for Hiring a Financial Planner

Uriah's podcast (the Productive Therapist Podcast) also recently featured a summary of my blog post: 5 Tips for Hiring a Financial Advisor.

You can read those 5 tips here; or you can listen to them here.

👉 Unsure if you need to hire a financial advisor? Read "When Should I Hire a Financial Advisor?" on my friend Lindsay's Mind Money Balance website.

That's a Wrap 🎬

That's it for this today's post. I know we covered a lot and yet it is but one small part of navigating the entirety of your financial life.

If this all feels a bit much, give me a shout. I work one-on-one with therapists from all over the country helping them address issues just like the ones we talked about today! Learn the different ways you might work with me on my services page.

Disclaimer

Turning Point is a registered investment advisor in the state of California. Please visit turningpointhq.com for important information and additional disclosures. This article is provided for general information and illustration purposes only. Nothing contained in the material constitutes financial, legal or tax advice; a recommendation for purchase or sale of any security; or investment advisory services. I encourage you to consult a financial planner, accountant, and/or legal counsel for advice specific to your situation. Read the full Disclaimer here.