What Makes an Authentic Practitioner?

After 12 years in private practice, I’ve come to realise that the most effective psychologists aren’t the ones who have memorised every theory or technique. They’re the ones who embody what they teach, or “walk the talk”. Being an authentic practitioner isn’t actually about having all the answers—it’s about integrating the principles we offer our clients into our own lives. For me, this has meant practicing mindfulness, using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to navigate my own challenges, and more recently, incorporating Emotional Freedom Techniques (tapping) into my daily routine. But the foundation that has made all of this possible—the thing that finally allowed me to let go of imposter syndrome—was learning self-compassion during my PhD research in 2017.

Facing My Own Imposter Syndrome

Like many psychologists, I’ve battled imposter syndrome. In the early years of my practice, I often felt like I had to prove myself—to always be competent, always have a clear answer, and never let clients see me struggle. The irony, of course, is that we encourage clients to embrace their humanity, yet many of us struggle to do the same.

While completing my research, I was forced to confront the way I treated myself. I had spent years teaching clients about self kindness, yet my own inner critic was relentless. During that time, I made a conscious effort to practice what I preached. Instead of berating myself for not being “good enough,” I began using the same self-compassion exercises I gave to my clients. I spoke to myself with more kindness, tried to acknowledge my struggles with less judgment, and started to accept that imperfection didn’t make me inadequate—it made me human. This shift changed everything. (It also helped me in the other role I was feeling inadequate in - being a new mum.)

Living the Work

Over time, self-compassion became the foundation that allowed me to integrate other therapeutic approaches into my own life. Mindfulness, which I had been teaching for years, took on new meaning when I approached it with self-kindness. Instead of using mindfulness as another tool for self-improvement, I started practicing it as a way to simply be present with whatever was happening, without the pressure to “fix” anything.

ACT, too, became more personal. I often talk to clients about values-based living, encouraging them to make choices aligned with what truly matters rather than being controlled by fear or self-doubt. But applying this to my own life meant recognising the ways I avoided discomfort—whether it was procrastinating on something meaningful out of fear of failure or hesitating to share my authentic voice in my work. Learning to sit with discomfort and take committed action despite it has helped me show up more fully in both my personal and professional life.

More recently, I’ve been exploring Emotional Freedom Techniques (tapping). At first, I was skeptical—despite understanding the neuroscience behind it, it felt strange to tap on specific points while naming difficult emotions. But I kept an open mind, and was amazed at how quickly this simple practice helped me regulate my nervous system in moments of stress, and shift the subconscious’blocks’ that had been holding me back. Now, I regularly incorporate tapping into my routine, whether to process a challenging situation, ground myself before a busy day, or achieve a new goal. In fact, I credit EFT for helping me take the leap into buying a commercial property and founding Lavender House Wellness Collective with my colleague Khara in 2023. 

Authenticity Over Perfection

Being an authentic practitioner doesn’t mean having it all figured out. It means being willing to engage in the same work we ask of our clients. It means acknowledging our struggles, practicing what we teach, and recognising that growth is ongoing.

For me, the journey toward authenticity started with self-compassion. Once I stopped trying to prove myself and started treating myself with the same kindness I offer my clients, everything changed. My work became more meaningful, my confidence deepened, and I felt freer to show up as my real self—imperfections and all.

If you’re a psychologist struggling with imposter syndrome, I encourage you to turn inward. Ask yourself: Am I giving myself the same grace I give my clients? Am I practicing the things I teach? True authenticity starts with us, and the more we embody the work, the more we empower our clients to do the same.