Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maria Reiter. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Maria, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
As a therapist myself, I’m familiar with the prevalence of imposter syndrome in our field. In my own journey, I encountered self-doubt, particularly when advocating for myself with health professionals that have been in the field for a while. Therapy became a powerful tool. It helped me identify that the anxious voice in my head was often fueled by a desire to truly help my clients. Learning to reframe that anxiety as a sign of caring and dedication made a big difference.
Being a young female therapist who experiences anxiety herself initially felt like a disadvantage, but through therapy, I recognized the unique perspective and connection I can offer clients as I have often experienced the same things my clients are experiencing and can offer a different perspective being a younger therapist in the field of mental health.
Finally, surrounding myself with a supportive network of colleagues and mentors has been invaluable. My mentors create a safe space for me to discuss the unique challenges I face as a therapist. My therapist friends understand the emotional demands of our work and celebrate each other’s successes. They hold me accountable and genuinely want to see me thrive, which has been incredibly empowering.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
As a mental health therapist and practice owner, I work with Gen Z and millenial women struggling with anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, and people pleasing tendencies in therapy. I consider myself a modern and relatable therapist who is the opposite of a blank slate–I bring my true self to sessions with relatable examples and tools for my clients. This approach makes therapy more collaborative, empathetic, and tailored to each client’s needs.
I can also relate to a lot of the issues that clients come to therapy for (which a lot of my clients love about working with me). I am a Gen Z therapist, which means I am on social media spreading relatable and educational mental health content. I also love to learn more about mental health through books, podcasts, and documentaries.
Currently, I am offering individual holistic online therapy and EMDR intensives for residents of Wisconsin or Florida.
Outside of working within my own private practice, I love to volunteer my time and money to support women empowerment organizations as I want to uplift and support the voices of women in our society. As Meghan Markle says, “Women don’t need to find a voice, they have a voice, and they need to feel empowered to use it, and people need to be encouraged to listen.”
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, the three qualities that have been incredibly impactful on my journey as a therapist are compassion, patience, and reliability.
Compassion: A deep empathy for my clients’ struggles fuels my desire to help them heal. It also helps me avoid burnout by reminding me of the significant impact of this work.
Patience: Being a new social worker comes with imposter syndrome, burnout, and confusion about your career path. Allow yourself to be patient and kind to yourself through the beginning part of your social work career. Going to therapy can help you to overcome these barriers and find a way to cope with this incredibly stressful time.
Relatability: By bringing my authentic self to sessions, I create a stronger connection with clients. They can sense my genuine desire to understand them, which fosters a deeper therapeutic relationship and allows for more effective progress.
These three qualities have been incredibly impactful on my journey as a therapist. I know being a new therapist can be incredibly challenging. Here is my words of wisdom to new therapists:
Find Your Compassion: Connect with why you chose this field. Volunteering or working with a population you feel passionate about can help ignite that spark.
Embrace Self-Work: Let’s normalize more therapists going to therapy! Working on your own mental health helps you become a more well-rounded therapist and allows you to bring your most authentic self to the table.
Be Patient with Yourself: The pre-licensure period can be challenging. Remember, the hard work is worth it! Focus on learning, gaining experience, and celebrating your progress, no matter how small.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
In my experience, therapists benefit greatly from honing their strengths rather than trying to be well-rounded for everyone. Let me explain why, using my own journey as an example.
Strength in Specificity: I initially worked with a broad range of clients. While I gained valuable experience, I felt less effective. Later, I focused on teenage girls and women struggling with anxiety, trauma, people-pleasing, and perfectionism. This resonated deeply with me. I, too, have navigated these challenges. By niching down, I tapped into my own experiences, allowing me to connect with clients on a deeper level and develop a more effective toolbox for their specific needs.
The Power of Lived Experience: Having walked in their shoes creates a unique form of empathy. Clients can sense my genuine understanding, fostering trust and a stronger therapeutic alliance. This translates into more productive sessions and better client outcomes.
The Challenge of “Okay” vs. Expertise: While well-roundedness has its value, a therapist who tries to be everything to everyone risks mediocrity. Instead, focusing on a specific population allows you to become an expert in their struggles. This translates into stronger clinical skills, a deeper understanding of evidence-based approaches, and a more confident and effective therapist.
My Story: A Case for Niching Down
Since specializing, I’ve witnessed incredible progress in my clients. Teenage girls and women struggling with these specific issues often feel alone. By understanding their battles firsthand, I can offer more than just techniques – I offer hope and a sense of shared experience.
Don’t underestimate the power of niching down. Becoming an expert in a specific area allows you to truly excel, leading to better client experiences and more fulfilling professional growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mentalhealthbymaria.com
- Instagram: @mentalhealthbymaria
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-reiter-lcsw-03604b236/
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