Breaking Free from the Comparison Trap and Imposter Syndrome
Let’s talk about something so many of us carry quietly:
That sinking feeling when you scroll through Instagram and see another therapist’s themed session with laminated visuals and a perfectly on-theme activity… When meanwhile, you’re pulling Goldfish out of your coat pocket and hoping you remembered to charge your iPad.
That moment when someone asks, “What’s your theme this week?”
And you’re just trying to remember if you ate lunch.
That voice in your head that whispers…
“Who would pick me?”
If you’ve ever felt behind, out of place, or like you somehow missed the manual on how to be a “real professional,” I want you to know something right away:
You are not alone. And you do not have to be someone else to belong in this work.
The Comparison Trap Starts Quietly
It usually starts on a random weekday.
You’ve got three sessions back-to-back, your toy bin is full of mismatched animals, and your only “theme” is follow the child’s lead. Then you walk into a classroom and see another therapist who has the visuals, the plan, the book, the matching craft…
And even though you know your approach is valid…Your gut still sinks.
That’s the comparison trap. And it sneaks in fast.
The Myth of the “Good Therapist”
For years, I believed there was a right way to be a good therapist.
She was:
Organized.
Confident.
Structured.
Pinterest-worthy.
And I… wasn’t.
I was:
Intuitive.
Messy.
Often late on documentation.
Deeply connected with kids, but overwhelmed by systems.
And I told myself, “If I could just be more like her… I’d be enough.”
But here’s what I’ve learned:
When we chase someone else’s strengths, we forget our own.
When ADHD Makes It Louder
If you’re neurodivergent, like me, the comparison trap can be even louder.
Our field is full of calendars, checklists, data points, and rigid timelines.
And for those of us who think differently? That can feel like a constant uphill climb.
I used to think my “messiness” made me worse.
Like I had to hide my flexible, last-minute, feelings-first approach.
But now I know:
That flexibility? That responsiveness?
That’s the skill.
“Why Would Anyone Pick Me?”
I’ll never forget sitting down during a business course, looking up local clinics… and instantly spiraling.
They had polished branding. Five-star reviews. A beautiful space.
I had a Squarespace template and a heart full of good intentions.
And I thought: Why would anyone pick me?
But here’s the thing I didn’t realize yet:
Some families aren’t looking for the polished option.
They’re looking for:
The therapist who sees their child’s echolalia as brilliant.
The one who follows their lead with joy, not judgment.
The one who builds trust and deeply listens.
They’re looking for you.
Real Doesn’t Mean Unprepared
Let’s get something straight:
Being flexible doesn’t mean being unprepared.
Being child-led doesn’t mean you don’t know what you’re doing.
It means you’re prepared differently.
You walk into sessions with:
A grounded nervous system.
A deep understanding of regulation and autonomy.
The ability to notice, join, and respond in the moment.
That is real preparation.
It may not come with a monthly theme. But it comes with trust. And that’s everything.
The Truth About Confidence
People sometimes say, “You seem so confident when you post. Don’t you get imposter syndrome?”
Yes, of course I do! But here’s the secret:
I don’t feel like an imposter when I’m sharing my truth.
The comparison trap only gets me when I start measuring myself against someone else’s highlight reel.
When I think I need to be better at everything in order to be great at anything.
But the truth?
I don’t need to be good at everything.
And neither do you.
You Don’t Have to Do It Their Way
Maybe you’re in that season right now—watching others post their crafts, their systems, their smiling family photos… while you’re just trying to survive the day.
Let me say this clearly:
You are not less valuable because you do it differently.
You don’t have to sound like them.
You don’t have to teach like them.
You don’t have to plan like them.
You just have to be you.
Rooted in your values. Your instincts. Your capacity.
Questions to Come Back To
Here are a few questions I come back to again and again when the comparison trap gets loud:
What would it feel like to fully honor the way I do things?
Where am I undervaluing my own gifts because they don’t look like someone else’s?
What if my “mess” is exactly what someone else needs to see?
Because here’s what I know for sure:
There’s a child who lights up when you walk in.
There’s a family who feels safe with your presence.
There’s a nervous system that settles because you are calm, curious, and trustworthy.
They don’t need perfect.
They need you.
You Belong Here
So if you’ve ever asked yourself, “Who would pick me?”
Let me answer that right now:
The families who want to be seen, not judged.
The kids who communicate in their own way.
The teams looking for someone who leads with compassion—not compliance.
You don’t have to be someone else to belong in this field.
You just have to be aligned.
Let them lead… but let yourself lead too.
🎧 Want more?
Listen to the full episode of Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
💻 Ready to fully embrace your strengths and support communication with confidence?
Explore the Great Language Partner Program — my step-by-step course for SLPs, educators, and caregivers ready to do things differently.
