Episode 10: Back Yourself: Imposter Syndrome, Supervision & Vicarious Trauma with Hannah Gordon
From “doing the bare minimum” to going all-in: how to trust your skills and protect your wellbeing.
This week on Not Another PD, I’m joined by Hannah Gordon, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and founder of Nextdoor Counselling & Consultation.
Hannah supports adults feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or stuck; provides specialist guidance for people living with dementia and their families; and offers strengths-based supervision for helping professionals.
She works in-person from Mornington/Frankston and via Telehealth Australia-wide.
We talk about:
- Backing yourself: why imposter syndrome is so common (even 20 years in) and what changed when Hannah went all in on private practice
- Supervision that actually helps: the difference between KPI/operational supervision and reflective external supervision, and why both matter
- Vicarious trauma: how “the trauma we didn’t ask for” builds slowly (disaster recovery insights, what to watch for)
- Boundaries that stick: Hannah’s end-of-day ritual (leave the laptop in the office!) and strategies to stop bringing work home
- Community & support: the power of group supervision, mentors, and data (how seeing her business metrics helped her believe her own progress)
Try this this week:
- Book/attend reflective supervision (not just operational check-ins).
- Create a shutdown routine: device off, door closed, bag left in the office.
- Write a one-page “I back myself” evidence list (wins, client feedback, progress graphs).
Connect with Hannah
Next Door Counselling & Consultation on Instagram
In person appointments with Hannah: Mornington & Frankston (plus Telehealth Australia-wide)
Connect with Hannah’s Business Manager (Paul)
Coaching and Supervision for mindset, boundaries, and sustainable practice as a helping professional.
Boundaries Masterclass (Part 1: Foundation Boundaries)