11 August 2026
Last month I wrote about my carefully made plans being interrupted by an unexpected return to tech work. I had graduated, become an ACA Registered Counsellor, registered a business name and was ready to launch myself enthusiastically into private practice.
Then my part-time job became a full-time job.
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This month has been less dramatic. I’m settling into the rhythm of working, studying and seeing clients. I’m also learning not to context switch quite so much. “Context switching” is a term I picked up from the tech guy I replaced. He worked set days on each client’s account and declined our offer of more work because switching between accounts would affect his productivity.
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It made me think about how well - or not - I was doing it. I had been working while thinking about counselling, studying while thinking about the business, and working on the business while worrying that I should be studying more. I never really switched off from any of it, so I wasn’t relaxing much either.
I’m now trying to stay in one context and switch deliberately. Mostly, I’m getting better at being where I am. When I’m working, I work. When I’m studying, I study. When I’m with a client, I’m with the client.
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I’m continuing with my Master of Counselling at a much slower pace than my Graduate Diploma. This trimester, I’ve been studying Group Leadership and exploring the importance of the group “container”: the structure, safety and boundaries that allow people to participate and grow. The container allows growth. It doesn’t force it.
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Last week I saw two paying clients. One is a semi-regular client who books in when she needs it. During our session, I noticed myself thinking of interventions I could suggest. But she didn’t want an intervention. She wanted me to listen.
So I listened. And then she paid me.
I still sometimes wonder whether listening is “enough”. Should I have done something more obviously therapeutic or said something sufficiently profound to justify the invoice?
No. I held the space, I listened and she got something she needed.
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Another client found me through my website and booked a Discovery Call online to see if we would be a good fit. She was local and asked if she could come to see me face-to-face. I wasn’t entirely sure the enquiry was genuine, and giving my home address to a stranger from the internet felt like a small leap of faith. But she came, and we are a good fit. She booked a full session for a few days later, returned for that and has now asked to come weekly.
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The practice is slowly taking shape.
It hasn’t been a major launch or a sudden influx of clients. It has been a much quieter “I’m open for business”. I have a website, a way to book, a way to pay, a room for seeing clients in person and a quiet, safe space for seeing them online.
I’ve created my business container.
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The tech work gives me financial stability and work I genuinely enjoy. My studies are continuing at a manageable pace. Counselling has a place in my week without needing to support my entire life immediately.
I’m not panicking about money, hating my job or context switching like a lunatic. I can give a client my full attention without also needing her to become part of my five-year business plan.
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Steady, safe and contained.
Slowly, slowly.
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Alison Whitwood is an ACA Registered Counsellor, somatic psychotherapist and wellness coach based in Sydney. Learn more at alisonwhitwood.com.au