My own journey in clinic and a little note for you

It took me 7 years to become full time in my clinic.

84 months. 364 weeks (at least!) of pleading with the universe to please make this work.

I was young and had no other career to fall back on. I had to make it work, but to be honest, I had no idea how.

The constant “change your beliefs change your life”. Showing up over and over and over again in uncomfortable situations with determination. Then fighting off the sense of shame and helplessness.

Not having enough money to pay my bills or sustain the clinic rent.

Always living with a sense of “not enough”.

God I can’t tell you just how tough that was for so many years…

And I did do it. The combination of putting myself “out there”, finding new ways of talking about what I do over and over again.. and then of course the mindset shifts.

And all along the way I watched and held so many, SO many other natural therapists - massage therapists, acupuncturists, naturopaths, counsellors, art therapists, Kinesiologists who all struggled with the exact same thing…

so I knew.. I just knew it wasn’t just my fault..

but what made this industry so damn hard???

Firstly, I think it’s the individualism - especially when I first started, less so now, but it does still exist.. we were all in competition with each other - all trying to build our businesses on our own. You’re on your own, trying to make it work, looking around you and comparing yourself.. all of us doing the same thing. Even though we all supported each other - there was an innate sense of “its up to me and me only”..

Then there’s the lack of clinical guidance.

Working in “the real world” with “real world clients” and all of the complexities and responsibilities that come with this takes a lot of energy and courage!

And I don’t want to gloss over this part..

because if you’re here I know you’re putting so much energy into this. I know that you have been - or are currently - on the edge of your comfort zone - just praying that this calling your soul has can make some money to support you!

And it should... but it’s so bloody hard!

I’m here to say, it’s not your fault.

This industry is harder than any other I know.

It really is…

because it’s not just the toll of pushing forward in business..

there’s the mental load of ensuring our clients needs are met too

all whilst doing it on our own

with no real guidance or support.

There’s no employment as you find your feet in the industry..

there’s no “here’s a pathway for you to follow, people to meet to elevate your career and make it easier.

It’s you, after study going “yep I can do this” - a gazillion times over - rain, hail or shine…

then when it doesn’t quite flow, there’s the constant self doubt of “what is it in me and my belief system thats holding me back?!”

It can honestly be torture..

I met so many mentors along the way, but honestly, none of them really “got it”.

They were either in just business and had no idea about the clinical side of things..

or they were therapists who honestly had been burnt out by their own clinics and found a niche in working with other natural therapists..

my saviours were my friends who were building alongside me. Who could relate.

These were the moments I didn’t feel so alone.

The Practitioner Table is my attempt at creating the space I wish I had.

and in each course, masterclass, each supervision hour, each business development hour - I can honestly say, I nearly cry, or do cry each and every time because of both the connection I see and the reflection I see - of “we are really all in this together… and here we are creating the magic I wish I had together..”

It’s not just me teaching… it’s us coming together as an industry.

And I see that we are at this point in evolution..

where we, together, can make it easier for each and every therapist and practitioner who will come after us…

Maybe one day, every single natural therapist will graduate and know that there’s a space you can walk into - no matter where you are in your journey..

and be held and supported as you grow your business.

No resignation of “I’m in this alone”….

And I truly believe, if we can do this together..

we can change this industry.

Bring it all together.

Build financial success as an industry

making it a sustainable career for all of us

and ultimately - ULTIMATELY - setting us really firm foundations of health care support in each and every community.

Natural therapists & allied health coming together and creating this incredible support for every single human in every community..

You can do this,

you can do it with kindness

you can do it with an honouring of your own energy

you can do it by finding your own style in clinic!

and I promise you, it’s worth all of the struggle and fear and tears and wanting to give it all up…

and yet, somehow that struggle eases when you have support and love..

-Emma