The 3 Stages of Doing Nonclinical Work
The 3 Stages of Doing Nonclinical Work
Today we’re gonna talk about nonclinical art therapy (or “art as therapy”) work and business. From my experience of doing this, I noticed that there are 3 big stages in doing this type of work.
I’ll share what those 3 stages or phases are, and what you need to do in each stage to fully realize your potential and move to the next stage.
This will be very helpful for those of you who are embarking on this work or who are in the middle of doing it.
If you want to listen to this, instead of read, you can listen to this post on my podcast, Thirsty For Art:
(also on Apple Podcast, Spotify, & Stitcher)
Otherwise, keep on reading about the 3 stages below!
The Cocoon stage
The very first stage of doing nonclinical work is the “cocoon stage.” I like to also call it the “impossibility stage.” Why? Because there is a lot of thoughts about impossibility at this stage.
In this phase, you are either unaware of nonclinical art therapy work, or you are afraid to do it. You might be thinking - “how is that even possible?”
So there is a lot of fear and hesitation around the idea of this work during this time.
The challenge of this particular phase is to become aware of options. You need to look inside yourself to see what is aligned with you.
An affirmation you can use to help you through this stage is:
I can do what I truly want to do. I am allowed to play big.
2. Rise up stage
The second stage, which often comes after you go through the cocoon stage, is the “rise up stage.” I also call it the “possibility stage,” because you have entertained the possibility of doing nonclinical work and are likely pursuing it.
In this stage, you have made the decision to do nonclinical work, but you may find yourself struggling to embrace the work fully and/or market yourself.
Physically, you may be branching out into nonclinical through freelance work, or trying to transition to full-time non-clinical position, or even in the process of starting an “art as therapy,” nonclinical business.
The challenge in this stage is to fully embrace the nonclinical - i.e., what you want. There may be doubts about whether you can do this or not, even though you are starting to take the steps. You might feel a lot of imposter syndrome in the process.
Your next steps, if you want to move through this stage, are to dig deep into your own identity, embracing that nonclinical work you do, and marketing yourself effectively.
However, all those things will be done if you FULLY BELIEVE. Believe in yourself. And in your service.
Here’s an affirmation that’ll help you through this particular stage:
I am so valuable. My work is worth gold.
3. The Soaring stage
The last stage is the “soaring stage,” aka the “full potential” stage.
In this stage, you are metaphorically soaring. You are doing the work, enjoying the fact that you are expanding yourself so much more, and feeling confident with what you do.
You have fully transitioned to nonclinical work, and you love what you do. You may be looking into scaling your business. The foundation of your business is strong and you only need to expand from here on.
The challenge in this stage is to find specifically what works for you in terms of how, where, who you work with - and fine tuning it. It’s about getting specific into what is fully aligned with you.
Nonclinical work in and of itself is a very broad category. That’s why once you start doing it, you have to narrow down and get specific into what specifically brings out your greatest strengths and allows YOU to shine your brightest. There is only one you in this world and you are here to find how you can to the best work that only you can do.
Here is an affirmation that’ll help you through this stage:
I love finding what works for me. I love being the most me in my business.
Those are the 3 stages of nonclinical work, based on my experience. What do you think? Which stage do you find yourself?
Now, if you are in the second “potential” phase, it can get quite tricky and hard. You know you love your work, you like nonclinical service, but you might be dealing with identity. That is, letting go of your clinical identity while embracing more of who you are to be more human and more YOU as you show up in your nonclinical offerings… or actually BELIEVING FULLY in your own self and the nonclinical work you provide.
If you are in this stage, I know there’s a lot of challenges, but there is also help. So many art therapists in second stage have joined my Visionary Art Therapists Membership to find support and community in doing the nonclinical work.
We show you the business tools and tips - from social media, creating a juicy offer, and marketing - to gathering together in live group sessions to get answers to questions, sharing resources, & get accountability.
If you would also love that, join my Visionary Art Therapists Membership here. We’d be excited to see you!
With that said, I really hope that this was helpful for you to learn. Thanks and see you next time!
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