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