While you're training to help others navigate their mental health struggles, how do you manage your own anxiety as a budding psychologist? Being a provisional psychologist or an early-career therapist automatically puts you at a higher risk for burnout. Between balancing internship requirements, studying for the National Psychology Exam (NPE), and learning to hold space for clients' emotions, it’s no wonder your nervous system can feel overwhelmed.
Why Do Provisional Psychologists Experience Anxiety?
Psychologists are not immune to anxiety and negative self-talk, especially when it comes to feeling incompetent in practice. It’s completely normal to have performance anxiety as a provisional psychologist. After all, you’re still developing your clinical skills and working towards professional competency. You might find yourself asking:
Am I doing this right?
Am I doing it well enough?
Am I doing enough for my clients?
Some anxiety is functional—it helps us stay alert and motivated. But when anxiety becomes chronic or excessive, it can interfere with your ability to practice effectively. Let’s explore practical strategies to manage self-doubt and negative self-talk so that you can build confidence in your clinical skills.
1. Evaluate Your Unhelpful Thoughts
One of the most effective ways to manage self-doubt is to evaluate and reframe unhelpful thoughts. Sound familiar? When you catch yourself having self-critical thoughts, ask yourself:
Is this thought based on evidence or assumption?
Can I reframe it into something more balanced?
Many early-career psychologists place unrealistic expectations on themselves. It’s important to assess whether your self-judgment is fair given your level of experience, competency, and the complexity of the client’s presentation. Therapy is a process that takes time—both for clients and for you as a clinician.
2. Problem-Solve: What Can You Do?
Is there something actionable you can do to reduce your anxiety? Take a step back and reflect on your professional goals. I always tell my supervisees to focus on building competency in one therapy modality at a time. You do not need to master every therapeutic approach right now. You have your entire career to develop your expertise and niche.
If you’re feeling uncertain about your clinical skills, create a structured learning plan. Investing in high-quality CPD training for psychologists can help build your confidence.
💡 Tip: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a great foundation for provisional psychologists. It is the first-line treatment for many mental health conditions and provides a structured approach for new practitioners.
If you're looking for CBT training, my live workshops are currently sold out, but I have on-demand recordings available here.
3. Practice Self-Compassion
Self-compassion means treating yourself with the same kindness you offer your clients. Instead of being overly critical, remind yourself:
I am still learning, and that is okay.
Competency is built through experience and practice.
Mistakes are a normal part of professional growth.
Be gentle with yourself while developing your skills. Your value as a psychologist is not determined by perfection but by your willingness to learn and improve.
4. Reflect on Your Successes
As a psychologist, you don’t always get immediate reinforcement that you’re doing a good job. Therapy is a long-term process, and progress isn’t always obvious right away.
Take a moment to reflect:
What are some small wins you’ve had this week?
Have you received positive feedback from a client or supervisor?
What are you doing particularly well right now?
Tracking your progress can help counteract negative self-talk and remind you that you are growing in your role.
5. Seek Supervision and Support
Supervision is an essential part of your development. Connecting with experienced psychologists and mentors can provide:
✔ Guidance on clinical dilemmas
✔ Reassurance about your progress
✔ Strategies for managing self-doubt
Your supervisor can also help determine whether your anxiety is a learning opportunity (e.g., skill-building in therapy) or whether it’s a self-management issue that requires stress-reduction strategies.
6. Consider Therapy for Yourself
If your anxiety is persistent, seeing a therapist yourself can be a valuable experience. Therapy can help you:
✔ Develop coping strategies for managing stress
✔ Address underlying imposter syndrome
✔ Experience what it’s like to be in the client’s seat
Getting therapy as a therapist-in-training can provide personal insight and deepen your empathy for your own clients. I highly recommend it!
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!
As a provisional psychologist, you are constantly learning and evolving. Managing anxiety is part of the process, and it’s okay to feel uncertain at times.
Key takeaways:
🔹 Evaluate negative self-talk and set realistic expectations
🔹 Focus on one therapy modality at a time (e.g., CBT training)
🔹 Track small wins and reflect on your successes
🔹 Seek supervision, CPD training, and support
🔹 Consider therapy for yourself if needed
You are not alone in this journey, and with the right tools, you will continue to grow into a confident and competent psychologist.
✨ Want more support? Check out my on-demand CPD courses, clinical templates, and National Psychology Exam study resources here.