Insights from an Early Career Psychologist – 10 Lessons and a Duck

Posted on:December 1, 2018
Last Updated: January 13, 2019
Time to read: 7 minutes

Why did I decide to write this piece? I am 6 months into working in a private practice, having to balance the demands and difficulties that come with beginning a new job. Add in the balancing of extra pressures and responsibilities, I felt very out of my depth, overwhelmed and the ever common ‘imposter syndrome’ was at an all-time high.

The purpose of this piece is to provide insights into my first 6 months as a registered psychologist. To provide a sense of normality to those who feel like that on the surface they are a duck gliding across the water effortlessly, but under water its feet are paddling like mad.

The following insights are personal insights and I do not profess that these would apply to all individuals. Each individual journey is unique and these insights are derived from my journey. My intention is to create a discussion so we can learn from the collective psychologist community.

So here are my 10 lessons.