Scaling Therapy Practice

STP 147 | Confidence How to Use Proof to Beat Imposter Syndrome and Build Your Scaling Confidence  Episode Introduction Confidence doesn’t disappear because you’re bad at something. It fades when you expect yourself to be perfect at something you’ve never done before. In this episode, James Marland talks directly to therapists and helpers who feel confident in the therapy room—but shaky when it comes to business, marketing, teaching, or creating something new. If you’ve ever sent an email, launched an offer, or shared an idea and thought, “Maybe this isn’t for me,” this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar—in the best way. James explains why those negative thoughts feel so convincing, why they’re not facts, and how confidence is built through proof, not positive thinking. This is the third pillar in the Scalable Income framework, and it may be the one that keeps you from quietly quitting on the work that matters most to you. 3 Reasons to Listen to This Episode 1. You Feel Confident as a Therapist—but Not in Business You’ve trained for years to sit with clients. But marketing, writing, selling, teaching, or building something new can make you feel like a beginner again. This episode explains why that discomfort is normal—and not a sign you should quit. 2. Your Mind Uses Silence Against You When you don’t get feedback, your brain fills in the gaps with doubt and half-truths. James shows how confirmation bias feeds imposter syndrome—and how collecting proof can stop that mental loop. 3. You Want Confidence That Lasts on Hard Days Motivation fades. Emotions dip. This episode teaches how to build grounded confidence—confidence based on evidence—so you can keep going even when results are slow or invisible. SEO Highlights & Key Moments (with Timestamps) [00:00 – 02:30] Why Confidence Crumbles When You Try Something New: James explains how negative “half-truths” sound convincing but are really just interpretations driven by uncertainty—not facts [02:30 – 04:00] Being a Beginner Again Doesn’t Mean You’re Failing: You wouldn’t tell a client to quit after one awkward attempt—so why do you say that to yourself? [04:00 – 05:30] The Three Pillars of Scalable Income: An overview of clarity, connection, and confidence—and why confidence determines whether you keep going. [05:30 – 07:30] The Core Idea of Confidence: Confidence has two sides: believing in yourself and earning trust from others. These two sides feed each other—for better or worse. [07:30 – 09:00] The Curse of Knowledge for Therapists: Why therapists radically undervalue their experience and overlook their own proof. [09:00 – 11:30] What Happens When You Don’t Track Proof: Silence becomes fuel for imposter syndrome. Your brain fills the gap with worst-case stories. [11:30 – 14:30] The Gym & Hiking Metaphor for Confidence: Confidence grows when you track progress toward an unseen goal—just like training for a hike you can’t do yet. [14:30 – 17:30] Ethical Ways to Ask for Proof and Feedback: Clear guidance on who therapists can and cannot ask for testimonials, based on professional ethics. [17:30 – 19:00] Four Questions That Create Strong Testimonials: Simple questions that gather real proof without asking for praise. [19:00 – 21:30] Where Proof Belongs: How to use proof on your website, in emails, and in your own mind when confidence dips. [21:30 – 24:00] Your Next Step: Download the handout, send one email, collect proof, and keep your mission in motion. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Testimonials & Proof Handout:  A downloadable resource mentioned in the show notes that includes: Final Takeaway Confidence isn’t about believing in yourself harder. It’s about believing you’re walking in the right direction—even when you can’t see the outcome yet. “Proof is a sign on the road that you’re heading in the right direction.” If this episode resonated with you, your next step is simple: collect one piece of proof, save it, and let it carry you through the next hard day. Links and Resources  STP 147 Resource - Great Testimonials - 4 questions that get great testimonials every time Visit Course Creation Studio to explore tools and support for building educational offers Explore ScalingTherapistServices.com for resources designed specifically for therapists growing beyond the therapy room Message me on LinkedIn - I am always looking to help people put their mission in motion.