So I am actually a mental health therapist and had a a few major life changes within the past month so I realize I may be overexaggerating/jumping the gun on some of this.
I left my job about a month ago. Like walked out because of ethical and mental health reasons. I was miserable and kept sinking further and further. I joined a group practice that was also starting up (I knew a couple of the people that were starting it). I was reassured that referrals shouldn't be a problem since that was probably my biggest anxiety. I had a private practice a couple of years ago that closed due to COVID/no referrals. The difference this time was that I was going to have a lot more support on virtually every end. Well...about a month in and I have yet to get a referral from the "normal" networks (Psychology today, internal referrals, facebook group for therapists). I can see the number of people that have viewed my psychology today profile and have yet to get a call or email. I have made changes, consulted with some other therapists, and nothing still. I have gotten one internal referral but they have not responded to any of my contact.
At this point I feel like there is just something wrong with me and that this whole idea of having a sustainable private practice is going to fail. I hear about these other people getting filled up so quickly from these other sources, and I have less than a handful of clients coming from one source because they have such a huge waitlist. I feel like I am disappointing my family, I am disappointing myself, and I feel embarrassed when talking to my colleagues. I know it's only been a month, but I am really banking on this succeeding and am beating myself which seems to get worse each passing day. I don't know what to do and I keep trying to reach out to places for referrals. I feel like there is just something wrong with me that is going to make this fail and I should just stop and find some job just to pay the bills.