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3 steps to level up as a therapist or counsellor

Jul 15, 2025
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Things you’re probably doing wrong… and how to fix them

 

Over many years I have travelled the world, training thousands of professionals who work in therapy and counselling for adolescents and adults, and I have noticed 3 common mistakes we tend to make.

It is easy to fall into the trap of making these mistakes, but’s it’s also very easy to correct too!

It’s a 3-step approach that you can use while also being connected to evidence-based therapy, while continuing to get good outcomes for clients, and still use your favourite therapeutic models. 

It’s not as hard as you think to incorporate that ton of training into your work. All you need is a rocking framework and a 3-step strategy to learn. 

 

How to level up your skills as a therapist or counsellor

 

 

 

 

 

Ready for More Than Good Enough?
There's a predictable path your clinical skills follow, whether you're developing expertise in a therapy focus, therapy model, or a focused client group. You'll move through four distinct stages: Beginner → Competent → Expert → Master* Here's what happens at each stage:Beginner: You have basic knowledge or skill. Everything feels difficult, sometimes overwhelming. For example, when you're lear...
The One Practice That Separates Experts from Everyone Else
  You've probably heard the advice: "Practice makes perfect." Except it doesn't. Not really. What makes the difference between an expert therapist with 20 years of experience and someone who's simply been there for twenty years?   Deliberate practice   That's not head down working, seeing clients week after week. Deliberate practice is structured with three specific components:   1. Embrace th...
The Habit Zone vs. Discovery Zone: Why Comfortable Practice Doesn't Improve Your Skills
    Let me tell you about Bishop, a competent chess player who spent thousands of hours playing speed chess. His improvement? Nearly zero. Bishop got frustrated. He thought maybe he needed some luck, a different strategy, better opponents. But his real problem was simpler: he was stuck in what we call the habit zone. The habit zone is comfortable. It's where you do things you already know how ...

Life Made Flexible

Welcome to a space where psychology meets compassion and growth. Each month, I'll share practical wisdom drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help you navigate life's challenges with greater psychological flexibility and purpose. What you'll receive: Evidence-based strategies to build resilience and foster wellbeing Thoughtful reflections on mindfulness and present-moment awareness Practical tools to help you connect with your values and create a rich, meaningful life Updates on workshops, speaking events, and new resources Whether you're a mental health professional, a parent supporting a young person, or someone on your own journey of growth, this newsletter offers a gentle guide to living fully with both the joy and the struggle that life brings. Together, we'll explore how to create space for difficult thoughts and feelings while moving toward what matters most to you.
© 2026 Dr Louise Hayes

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