From Expert to Beginner

The Joy (and Discomfort) of Trying New Modalities

There’s a quiet confidence that comes with being a seasoned therapist. After years of sessions, supervision, and training, you get to know your voice, your rhythm, and your toolkit. But stepping into a brand-new modality? That can shake things up—in the best (and most uncomfortable) way.

I remember the exact feeling when I took my Brainspotting Phase 1 training. It was so different from anything I had done before—so experiential, so body-based, so quietly powerful. And to be honest? That first weekend, I wasn’t sure I could get it.

I felt self-doubt creep in. I was a longtime therapist, well-versed in trauma work, and yet I found myself “shoulding” on myself: I should be able to do this. I should understand this already. I should feel more confident.

It was humbling—and also deeply human.

Thankfully, I had a skilled and compassionate trainer and consultant who held space for the discomfort of learning. They reminded me that being a good therapist doesn’t mean having all the answers. It means being open. Curious. Willing to be a beginner again.

That support made all the difference. I continued practicing, exploring, and eventually became certified in Brainspotting. The modality has since transformed my work with clients—and reconnected me to a more intuitive part of myself as a healer.

The following year, I said yes to another leap: EMDR training. Another powerful, somatic, research-backed method that stretched my skills and perspective. Each step reminded me of the beauty in not knowing everything. Of expanding my window of competence. Of embracing the tension between confidence and curiosity.

Here’s what I’ve learned about trying something new, even after years in the field:

• Discomfort is not a sign you’re doing it wrong—it’s often a sign you’re growing.

• A beginner’s mind isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.

• Support matters. Find mentors, consultants, and peers who allow you to be human while you stretch.

• Trust the process. Integration takes time.

So, to the therapist out there wondering if they’re “too experienced” to feel unsure—or if it’s “too late” to learn something new: It’s not. Learning is a lifelong, layered, embodied process. You are allowed to be both an expert and a student.

And honestly? That’s where the magic happens.

What modality has pushed you out of your comfort zone and into something deeper?

I’d love to hear your story. Let’s normalize being a beginner again.