Early Lessons in Client Projections

The therapeutic journey is as much about the clinician’s growth as it is the client’s healing. In bearing witness to others’ inner worlds, we’re reminded that every projection, every reaction, is part of a deeper human story—one that calls us to respond not with ego, but with presence, humility, and care.

It’s Not About Me

In nearly 15 years in mental healthcare, it has been one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences of my life. Over the years, I’ve had a number of powerful, and at times, harrowing moments that helped me learn one essential truth: in my role as a therapist, the client’s projections are not about me. They are reflections of their inner world—wounds, fears, hopes, and unmet needs—all of which deserve compassion, not personal entanglement.

Thrown Into the Deep End

I began my career in inpatient care, working with individuals struggling with substance use disorders and ex-offenders transitioning back into society. It was intense, raw, and often unpredictable. That experience forced me to mature quickly, both personally and professionally. I had to learn how to set firm boundaries, remain grounded amidst chaos, and hold space for clients who had experienced severe trauma and systemic neglect.

Things Got Real

Honestly, my early learning experiences included some peculiar—and potentially dangerous—situations. I’ve been chased by a patient in a moment of psychosis, received a bomb threat directed at my home, and navigated the delicate process of redirecting a therapeutic relationship when a patient began to romanticize our interactions. Each of these moments tested my resilience, but more importantly, they taught me the importance of supervision, self-awareness, and the ethics that anchor our profession.

Looking Back

Now, with years of experience behind me, I can look back on those moments not with fear, but with gratitude. They helped shape me into the clinician I am today—grounded, compassionate, and deeply aware of the sacred responsibility that comes with walking alongside someone in their healing journey.

Still Learning, Always Growing

These early experiences continue to inform and enrich my work in private practice today. I grow not only through ongoing professional development, but also through the therapeutic relationships I build with my clients. Each session offers new insight, reminding me that the work is never truly finished—and that healing is a shared, evolving process.

Rayshaun Johnson, LPC, NCC

Reclaiming my time

A personal reflection on burnout, boundaries, and the beauty of saying no.

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When I first stepped into private practice, self-care wasn’t even on my radar. I was laser-focused on building my caseload and making a name for myself online.

In April of 2019, a fellow provider encouraged me to begin my practice on a part-time basis. Hearing that I could start with just three hours a week—as a kind of test drive—gave me the permission I didn’t know I needed.

As my caseload began to grow, so did my hours. What started as 3 hours a week quickly became 10. Within three months, I was seeing 20 clients weekly—all while maintaining a full-time job.

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The Hustle Was Real—and Unsustainable

Over time, balancing a full-time job and a growing practice became increasingly difficult. My workweek stretched to seven days. Eventually, I took the leap and transitioned fully into private practice. I was excited—this was what I had worked so hard for.

But in that transition, something got lost. I stopped prioritizing myself.

I was seeing up to six clients a day, nearly every day. I told myself I was living the dream—finally working for myself, doing what I loved, helping others heal. And in many ways, I was.

But I had traded one kind of burnout for another.

The flexibility I had longed for started to feel like a trap. I hadn’t yet learned how to say no. I thought that because I could fill my schedule, I should.

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The Turning Point

Eventually, the signs became impossible to ignore.

I was exhausted. My creativity was dimming. My patience—something I had always prided myself on—was wearing thin. I realized I was showing up for everyone but myself.

That’s when I knew something had to change—not just in how I scheduled my day, but in how I valued my own time, energy, and emotional bandwidth.

I had to relearn boundaries—not just with clients, but with myself. I had to make space for rest, for joy, for stillness. And slowly, I began to reclaim my time.

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Reclaiming Balance

Now, I’m more intentional. I build in breaks. I protect my weekends. I remind myself that I can’t pour from an empty cup—and I don’t want to try.

Prioritizing myself isn’t selfish. It’s what allows me to continue doing this work with presence and compassion.

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This Is Your Time, Too

Whether you’re a therapist, a caretaker, or simply someone who gives a lot—

You deserve to rest.

You deserve to breathe.

You deserve to be.

Give yourself the same grace you offer others.

Protect your peace.

Reclaim your time.

You’re worth it.

Rayshaun Johnson, LPC, NCC