“As a new clinician, I was very hesitant. I knew that the relationship was important, and I also would get stuck sometimes.” – Sierra Waller
Chats with group practice employees are more fun when you’re not their practice owner! Maybe a bit more revealing, too. Such is the case with my guest, Sierra Waller, LCPC, an early-career therapist working at Health In Tandem, a small group practice in Chicago.
Apologies if you’ve landed here hoping for a gripe-and-gossip session. Instead, Sierra and I dig into her experiences as a newer therapist in a group practice setting. This trajectory from grad school straight into private practice has become increasingly common. Subsequently, there’s a learning curve to be aware of on both sides of the owner/therapist dynamic.
We also weigh the realities of being a newbie therapist against the anxieties created by impostor syndrome. How has Sierra overcome her fears, and what role has the group practice environment played in helping her thrive at this stage of her career?
“I love these conversations!” Sierra’s enthusiasm for in-depth discussions is one predictor of her success as a therapist. The other? Empathetic and accessible leadership. “I really valued a lot of the one-on-one time that I got with owners, supervisors, other clinicians,” she explains.
We met via a therapist’s support group on Facebook. That virtual connection has given Sierra more access to empathetic leaders (like me!) and fostered her career development. “You do such a good job of folding in that artful piece and that spiritual piece. It has just been eye-opening and really helping my growth edge of being like, Hey, we can incorporate this art piece too.”
Something that group practice owners and employees alike need to really recognize is that hiring a less experienced workforce places more burden on the business. I included Sierra’s comment not to toot my own horn but to encourage more experienced therapists to welcome inquiries and even challenges from early career professionals joining the team.
Sierra says that while she opted out of working in more high-pressure, high-volume acuity-type settings, the generosity of those in her group practice has already made her a better therapist. “There was some imposter syndrome,” she admits. “But, over my time in group practice, I’ve had opportunities to learn in a supported environment.”
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Sierra Waller is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor at a small group practice in Chicago. She primarily works with clients navigating anxiety, stress, life transitions, and relationship issues. Guided by the belief that mental health deserves the same care as physical health, Sierra fosters a collaborative, non-judgmental space where clients can explore patterns, identify strengths, and take meaningful steps toward growth. Originally from Colorado, Sierra enjoys spending time in nature when she isn’t in the therapy room.
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