For just over 12 years, I worked as a school counsellor, supporting young people through their challenges. It was a role I valued deeply, and my work went far beyond just one-to-one sessions with students. I was involved in spreading awareness about mental health across the school, offering training to staff, providing clinical supervision, and working closely with parents to ensure young people had the support they needed both in and outside the classroom.
I was passionate about making mental health a priority in schools, whether that was through running staff training sessions, supporting teachers in managing student well-being and understanding the teenage brain, or developing initiatives to create a more open and supportive school environment. I loved that part of my job. But over time, I started to feel like something wasn’t aligning with my core values anymore. The system, the pressures, the workload, it was starting to take its toll.
More than anything, I wanted a better work-life balance. I wanted the freedom to shape my work in a way that felt right for me. Most importantly, I wanted to be more present for my family, especially my son, who is home-educated and preparing for his GCSEs. The stress of juggling everything was building, for 5 years I had been working at the school as well as growing my private practice and working for CLEAR and I was starting to feel the burden of each of these roles, feeling that I was unable to focus my whole self to each role. I also found myself wondering: What if I tried something new?
I remember sitting in my car after a particularly tough day at school, reflecting on what life could look like if I had the flexibility to run my own practice. The idea felt exciting, but also terrifying.
But I knew if I never tried, I’d never know. So, after much deliberating and many many conversations with both my husband, supervisor and friends, I took the leap.
The Transition: Juggling Dreams and Responsibilities
I am a person-centred therapist, working creatively with children and young people, using play and relationships to help them feel safe. Transitioning into private practice while still working my other jobs was no easy task, balancing my job, being a mum, raising a puppy, and running a youth club made life incredibly hectic.
The hardest part? Handing in my notice. I worried about the students I was leaving behind and whether they would still get the support they needed. I also felt a deep responsibility to the staff I supervised and the parents I had worked alongside. It was difficult to step away from a role where I had built such strong connections. And of course, there was the financial uncertainty that comes with self-employment.
But deep down, I trusted that the right work would find me.
Taking the First Steps
Starting my private practice felt overwhelming at first, but I took small, manageable steps. I built up my client base while still working full-time, reached out to other professionals for advice, and made sure I had a solid support system around me. I invested in a great supervisor, which made all the difference in helping me stay confident and grounded during the transition.
I also knew that just because I was leaving the school setting didn’t mean I was leaving the world of education behind. I wanted to continue working with young people in a way that felt right for me and on my terms. I also found booking onto some CPD around safeguarding in private practice, setting up your own private practice, note taking etc was so valuable and I started to notice my confidence grow.
Embracing the Freedom
Now, as my own boss, I finally have the flexibility to rediscover me. I can take my dog for walks, go to the gym or for a run, and even make time for Pilates. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I do none of those things! Sometimes I relish in a lie in! One thing I have noticed is how much slower life feels, and that feels good, I no longer have this feeling of having to rush, and of living for Fridays.
My work still centres around children and young people, but in a way that feels more in tune with who I am. I get to collaborate with schools, businesses, and other therapists, building meaningful networks while working from my beautiful summer house.
Most importantly, I get to be present for my family in a way that truly matters.
Advice for Others Thinking of Making the Jump
If you’re considering stepping into private practice, here’s what helped me:
- Build it alongside your job if you can. Having a steady income while growing your practice makes the transition smoother.
- Surround yourself with support. My husband was my biggest cheerleader, and having family and friends who believed in me made all the difference.
- Find a brilliant supervisor. Someone who truly understands you and can support you through the highs and lows of self-employment.
- Invest in some CPD- Some of the courses I completed, I found so valuable. Particularly around themes such as safeguarding, GDPR etc.
Looking Back
Now that I’m on the other side, I can honestly say I have no regrets. The transition was challenging, but every step was worth it. Leaving the security of a school setting was scary, but stepping into self-employment has allowed me to reconnect with the parts of myself that I had put on hold. I am starting to feel like me again, I am finding joy in some of the simpler things.
Making a big life change like this can feel overwhelming, but sometimes, you just have to trust yourself and take the next step. I’m so glad I did.
Abi