Have you ever seen the movie Robots? If you haven’t you should! It’s an animated film for kids, but there’s one line that has stuck with me since I first heard it: “See a need, fill a need.” As a mental health professional, that message resonated with me immediately. The obvious is when I saw the need in my community—people struggling with mental health—and I knew my profession was part of filling that need. Then I realized how badly I needed help finding my people and the power of connecting with mental health professionals.
Connection Is Essential
As mental health professionals, we’re quick to help others find connection and get connected with others but often hesitate when it comes to ourselves. We tell ourselves we’re too busy, overwhelmed, or independent to need support. But isolation can creep up, especially with the demands of private practice or clinical work. It’s easy to forget how crucial connection with other mental health professionals is, yet we all need a community. Whether to share ideas, find encouragement, or simply vent about the unique challenges we face in this field, we can all benefit.
Fill Your Need
Early in my career, as both a developing therapist and a business owner, I searched for spaces where I could find support—meet-ups, business exchanges, professional gatherings. They existed, but none of them felt like the right fit for me. Instead of sitting back, I decided to create what I was missing. I started mastermind meet-ups, which garnered both positive and negative feedback. On one hand, I had mental health professionals and business owners eagerly asking how often they could join. On the other hand, some saw me as competition, worried that I might steal their clients or distract their employees from their businesses. One group practice owner even asked “please don’t bring this around my team” for fear the support I offered might somehow pull them away from her practice.
That was four years ago. Since then, mastermind groups, meet-ups, and networking spaces have blossomed, both that I have created and others I have participated in. This is both a blessing and a challenge because now, it seems like everyone’s email inbox is flooded with new programs and invitations. But that’s not the point here. The point is: If you’re feeling lonely, isolated, or disconnected from your peers—especially after finishing supervision, which you never thought you’d miss—then it’s time to find your people.
Find Your People
How?? Look around your local area. Is there a Chamber of Commerce chapter you can join? It might not be specifically for mental health professionals, but could it help you grow as a business owner or support you as a leader? Programs like the Latino Leadership Initiative or other ethnic-specific groups may be great ways to connect as well. Even using spaces like Event Brite are great spaces to find out what professional events are going on in your area. Don’t hold back from seeking support. The same advice we give to our clients—about connecting with others when they feel isolated—applies to us too.
In the end, remember that you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Just like the clients we serve, we too need connection and support to thrive. Whether it’s joining a mastermind group, attending local meet-ups, or simply reaching out to a colleague, the key is to stay engaged with others who understand the unique challenges of our profession. Finding your people is crucial—Find Your People: The Power of Connecting with Mental Health Professionals isn’t just a catchy title; it’s a reminder that investing in these relationships will keep you grounded, inspired, and supported. Your community is out there, and you deserve to be part of it.
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