Sara, I can so, so deeply relate to so many things you say in here. In my first year out as a non-student, full-time therapist, I have been amazed at how intense and lonely the process can feel sometimes, even in the context of working in a university counseling center. I use Marshall’s question about clumsiness SO much with supervisees and clients, and then I still walk away wondering if I have shared too much or not enough. The balance of trying to be authentic and genuine in session while also dealing with the expectation to not share a lot of myself… it’s difficult. I love your questions about balancing self-care and authenticity and personal struggle when you are a therapist. I am still working on the answers to a lot of those for myself. Anyway, THANK YOU for writing this. It was so validating to read.