You Don’t Need to Be Louder, Just More You
Networking can feel like one of the hardest parts of running a therapy business.
Not because you don’t care.
Not because you don’t believe in what you do.
But because putting yourself into rooms full of people, conversations, expectations and unspoken rules can feel… overwhelming.
I hear this from therapists all the time:
“I’m fine one-to-one with clients, but networking drains me.”
“I know I need to talk about my business, but I freeze.”
“Everyone else seems so confident, I feel awkward and out of place.”
If that sounds familiar, let me say this clearly:
There is nothing wrong with you.
Why Social Anxiety Shows Up So Strongly for Therapists
Therapists are often highly empathetic, intuitive and emotionally aware.
You read the room.
You pick up on subtle shifts.
You feel energy.
That’s a gift in the therapy room but in busy social or networking environments, that same sensitivity can send your nervous system into overload.
Your brain isn’t thinking “This is networking.”
It’s thinking “Am I safe here?”
When your nervous system perceives uncertainty, judgement, or pressure to perform, it can activate a stress response:
- Your mind goes blank
- Your heart races
- You overthink what to say
- You want to escape or disappear
This isn’t a confidence issue.
It’s a regulation issue.
The Problem with Traditional Networking Advice
Much of the advice around networking simply doesn’t work for therapists.
“Just put yourself out there.”
“Fake confidence until it sticks.”
“Pitch yourself clearly and confidently.”
But if your nervous system is already on edge, forcing yourself to perform only increases anxiety. You might manage it on the surface but inside you’re exhausted, self-critical and replaying every interaction on the drive home.
That’s not sustainable.
And it’s certainly not aligned with the kind of businesses therapists want to build.
Reframing Networking: From Performance to Connection
Here’s a gentle reframe I often offer:
Networking is not about impressing people.
It’s about being present enough to connect.
You don’t need to dominate conversations.
You don’t need a polished elevator pitch.
You don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room.
You need to feel regulated enough to be yourself.
When that happens naturally:
- Your words flow more easily
- You listen better
- Conversations feel genuine
- People remember how you made them feel
And that’s what builds trust.
Working With Your Mind, Not Against It
Social anxiety often comes with an inner narrative:
- “I’m not good at this.”
- “I sound stupid.”
- “Everyone else knows what they’re doing.”
These thoughts aren’t facts they’re protective patterns created by your subconscious mind to keep you safe from perceived threat.
Rather than trying to silence them, the work is about creating internal safety first.
When you feel safer internally:
- Anxiety softens
- Self-trust grows
- You stop bracing for judgement
- You show up more authentically
This is why mindset work is so powerful for therapists in business. It doesn’t change who you are it removes the noise that’s getting in the way.
You’re Not Here to “Sell” You’re Here to Share
Many therapists struggle with networking because it feels salesy, pushy, or inauthentic.
But what if networking wasn’t about selling at all?
What if it was simply about:
- Sharing what you care about
- Speaking from lived experience
- Letting people understand how you help
When you speak from alignment rather than pressure, confidence builds quietly not loudly.
A Gentler Way Forward
If networking fills you with dread, avoidance, or self-criticism, it’s not a sign to push harder.
It’s a sign to look inward with compassion.
To understand how your mind works.
To support your nervous system.
To build confidence from the inside out not as a performance, but as a state of being.
You don’t need to become someone else to succeed in business.
You need to feel safe enough to be you.
And when that happens, networking stops being something you survive and starts becoming something you can approach with calm, clarity and choice.
If social anxiety is holding you back from being seen, heard, or fully expressed in your business, support can make all the difference.
You don’t have to do this alone.
And you don’t have to change who you are to grow.
If you need a little help to get your positive networking head on and nail your 60 second about you spiel, get in touch.
