Welcome to The Vibrant Therapist Spotlight; a new, recurring feature on my blog. The Vibrant Therapist Spotlight posts will highlight therapists from across the world who are taking actions consistent with those of a vibrant therapist and who have agreed to share part of their journey with us via interview. This is not intended to promote comparison or to suggest that there is a certain path to vibrancy, but rather to share stories and experiences that may inspire you to think about what it would look like for you to be a more vibrant therapist.
I am honored that Sharon Martin, LCSW agreed to be my first interview for the Vibrant Therapist Spotlight. Sharon was one of the first therapists I started connecting with through online platforms when I opened my private practice. I have continued to follow and connect with her on social media and her blog. I am inspired by the way in which Sharon approaches her clinical work, her supervision practice and supporting other therapists while also raising her family.
The Vibrant Therapist Spotlight Interview with Sharon
Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about the work that you do.
Hi, I’m Sharon Martin. I’m a licensed clinical social worker in private practice in San Jose, CA. In addition to my work as a psychotherapist, I provide clinical supervision and coaching to social workers and therapists.
Can you tell us a little bit about the process you went through i
n deciding to start blogging and eventually offer a course on blogging for other therapists?
I started blogging to market my practice and found that I really enjoyed the creative process and being able to help people beyond providing therapy. I started submitting articles to various media outlets and that was successful, so I pitched a blog to PsychCentral and have been writing for them for the past two years.
Blogging has been such a successful way for me to fill my practice, build an online presence, and attract media and writing opportunities, that I was drawn to help other therapists do the same. I noticed that a lot of my colleagues struggled to blog consistently – it was a cumbersome process or it made them anxious. I started Blog Like a Pro, an online blogging class specifically for therapists, because I believe blogging is the most effective marketing strategy and at the same time we can help people by sharing our expertise through our writing. I love connecting with other therapists, seeing them develop their own writing style, and showing them that blogging doesn’t have to be a time-consuming chore!
What types of doubt and fears have you encountered in your career and how have you addressed them?
My biggest fear is that I will totally suck at something and be embarrassed. I manage this by reframing and using some CBT strategies on myself. I remind myself that things aren’t really a complete success or failure – they’re usually something in between; even if there’s a lot of room for improvement, it doesn’t mean I completely suck. The other important way I manage my fear is to trust myself. I know that I have to push myself out of my comfort zone, but that doesn’t mean I have to do everything or try to be everything to everyone. I try to listen to myself and trust that there is a time for stepping into fear and there is also a time for being still.
How do you personally manage overwhelm when working on multiple projects?
I make lists! I like a good old-fashioned pen and paper list and calendar. The process of writing things down helps me organize my ideas and prioritize. And I find it really helpful to see things in black and white.
How do you approach your work and self care in order to avoid becoming burnt out or depleted?
Self-care is an ongoing struggle. I do feel pulled in a lot of different directions between family and work projects, at times. What’s helped the most is accepting that I’m an introvert and learning to set boundaries. I need time to myself, which can be hard to come by. Summer was especially hard when my kids were home all the time. So, I know quiet time to myself is a priority and try to carve some out at home or the office. I’ve also learned to say “no” to a lot of things that I don’t want to do, that don’t fit my goals, or are over stimulating.
If you could go back in time, what tip or advice would you share with yourself at the beginning of your career?
I would tell myself to think bigger. When I started out, I had no aspirations for teaching, speaking, or writing. I’m excited for all these opportunities beyond the therapy room!
More about Sharon:
Sharon Martin, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist, writer, speaker, and media contributor on emotional health and relationships. Her psychotherapy practice in San Jose, CA specializes in helping individuals overcome codependency and perfectionism and learn to accept and love themselves. Sharon is the author of two e-books: Navigating the Codependency Maze and Setting Boundaries without Guilt and writes the popular blog Happily Imperfect on PsychCentral.com.
You can learn more about Sharon and the services she offers by visiting: http://livewellwithsharonmartin.com/
Thank you to Sharon for participating in The Vibrant Therapist Spotlight. If you know of someone who should be featured in an upcoming post, please email your suggestion to me at Sarah@SarahLeitschuhCounseling.com
Take Care,
Sarah