The Brutal Truth: Why Women Need Entrepreneur Therapy
Numbers don’t lie, and the numbers I’m seeing about women in male-dominated service industries expose an ugly hidden truth about where women stand in the working world.
Studies show that only 31% of architects are women, despite nearly 50% of architecture graduates being women.
Not only that, but just 15-18% of senior leadership roles are held by women.
Women in finance have it nearly as bad – although they make up about 46% of employees in the finance field, only 15% hold executive roles.
Those numbers suck and, frankly, women deserve so much fucking more.
The archaic “boys’ club” mentality is still alive and kicking, unfortunately. But, as an experienced entrepreneur therapist, I can say with conviction that diversity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a business imperative.
Women DRIVE businesses and are CRUCIAL to their success.
And since women in male-dominated service industries face so many unique challenges, they need (and deserve) special support like counseling for entrepreneurs, which is where I come in.
Let me tell you a little bit about the (horrific) state of women in male-dominated service industries, and how entrepreneur therapy can help.
Mental Wellness as an Entrepreneur and the Unique Superpowers of Women Professionals
Let’s start with what makes women workers so awesome, shall we?
We all know by now (hopefully) that stereotypes are harmful. But there are a few traits and skills that are typically ascribed to, and encouraged, in women rather than men. I’m not saying all women possess these traits, but they often do, and they can give women an edge in the business world.
Mental wellness as an entrepreneur is critical for leveraging these strengths effectively. For example:
Emotional intelligence: The secret weapon in client relationships – women are more attuned to (and maybe just give more fucks about) the emotional impact of their work, how their clients feel, etc. As a client, would you rather work with someone who communicates well and makes you feel good, or someone who makes you feel uncomfortable, intimidated, or disrespected? There you go.
Multitasking masters: Juggling multiple clients without dropping the ball – have you ever seen a mom with kids out in public? She’s got one hand on the stroller, a tote bag over her shoulder, one hand holding multiple beverages, toys, pacifiers, etc., one eye on the path in front of her, the other eye on the other kid… you see what I mean? Women are fucking fantastic at multi-tasking, so we know how to get a lot done, all at once. Entrepreneur therapy can help women maintain this balance without reaching burnout in the workplace.
The empathy edge: Understanding client needs on a deeper level – women’s intuition is a real thing. We can read between the lines and understand what other people need, sometimes even better than they understand themselves. This is an invaluable tool in business, helping women identify client needs within and beyond the scope of the project, creating better client relationships and generating additional work opportunities.
Imposter Syndrome and Other Hidden Battles: What Women Really Face in the Workplace
So, what exactly IS the reality of women in male-dominated work spaces? Check out these common issues and see if any of them sound familiar:
Imposter syndrome on steroids: Doubting yourself in a sea of suits. The patriarchy has conditioned women to second-guess themselves, and in male-dominated workforces, that self-doubt is magnified. Feeling undeserving of our achievements prevents women from pursuing promotions, raises, or higher-level projects. EMDR therapy can be particularly helpful in rewiring these deeply-rooted beliefs.
The tightrope walk: Balancing assertiveness without being labeled “bossy.” Notice how men are never called bossy, only women? When a man is assertive, he’s a boss. When a woman exhibits the exact same behavior, she is labeled “difficult” or “bossy.” Entrepreneur therapy can help women navigate this ridiculous double standard.
The invisible workload: Managing expectations both at work and home. The work challenges for women don’t stop in the workplace – women typically shoulder more responsibility at home, including childcare, household chores, etc. This “second shift” can lead to professional burnout and limit our capacity for career growth.
And these are just a FEW of the issues women working in male-dominated spaces face.
I haven’t even touched on the gender (and racial) pay gap, harassment, limited maternity leave, lack of mentorship, etc. I could go on and on, but if you’re a woman working in one of these fields, you’ve probably already experienced all of this bullshit firsthand.
Why I’m All In: The Real Reasons I Champion Online Business Therapy for Women
I love working with women in service industries for many reasons, one of which is that, well, I AM one.
I’m an entrepreneur therapist with a finance background, so I know exactly what women in male-dominated service industries face every day.
Through education and experience, I am uniquely equipped to help women take up space in a world that wants us to shrink ourselves smaller.
I know the whole “If I can just help one person…” speech is a little corny, but it’s true. Helping even just one woman succeed in the business world creates a ripple effect, generating waves of change.
I also believe that women are the (present and) future of service industries, and there is SO much untapped potential there. We have such a fantastic set of skills that makes us invaluable to businesses, if only they could see past the fact that many of us don’t have a Y chromosome.
I want to be a part of empowering women to step up and take their rightful place as equals and leaders in EVERY industry. T
ogether, we can create lasting change in how women are viewed in the workforce, how we feel about our work, and the treatment of women and girls in the future.
My online business therapy services are designed specifically to support women through these challenges.
How to Go From Professional Burnout to Unstoppable Boss Babe
Women in male-dominated industries don’t have to accept the status quo.
We can learn to work WITH it in order to live our best lives and create lasting change.
Is it fair that we have to take all these extra steps, when men just get the same benefits handed to them?
Abso-fucking-lutely not.
But once we move past the unfairness and get to work, we can make things better for ourselves, our peers, and future generations.
When you make it a priority to work on yourself from the intersection of mental health and business, you can count on:
Rewriting the rules: Creating sustainable boundaries without guilt.
Yes, that’s right: you can finally establish some much-needed ground rules that teach people how to treat you, WITHOUT feeling bad about it.
Confidence alchemy: Turning self-doubt into your secret weapon.
The current system (the patriarchy) is designed to make women doubt themselves in every way, not just in the workplace. But we can turn that imposter syndrome into your greatest asset, by learning tools such as reframing, celebrating courage instead of perfection, etc.
Money mindset makeover: Ditching scarcity for abundance.
Yes, money is important, and one goal of any career is to make money. But it’s not worth your wellbeing, health, or happiness. We can change how you think about money so that your career objectives are aligned with your highest self, and help you make more money with less effort.
It’s Time to Claim Your Space
Playing small is no longer an option – women in male-dominated service industries have GOT to step up and claim what’s ours.
Not only will this help you, but it also uplifts and opens doors for the women around you in your industry.
You don’t have to feel alone and unmoored in a sea of testosterone. Community is POWERFUL, and building a network of badass women like yourself keeps you motivated when the going gets even tougher.
If this sounds like yet another demand to add to your neverending to-do list, I get it – but it doesn’t have to be.
This can actually be your way of freeing yourself from that list and actually checking things off with ease.
So, since I know you love a challenge, I dare you to take this step – not just for you, but for all women in male-dominated spaces: give me a call, and we’ll see if we’re a good fit to work together.
I’m one of the best therapists in Oregon if you’re a woman dealing with professional burnout, imposter syndrome, anxiety, or any other mental health issues at work.
I provide online therapy in Washington, Wisconsin, Colorado, Oregon, Arizona, and Florida.
I also offer specialized EMDR therapy for the unique traumas women face that may be contributing to your struggles. As a certified EMDR therapist, I’ve seen how powerful this treatment can be for addressing burnout in the workplace.
If you’re ready to improve your life from the intersection of mental health treatment and business coaching, I’ve got you covered. And it doesn’t stop there – you’ll find that when you do the work, your relationships, physical wellbeing, sleep, work-life balance, and… pretty much every aspect of life improves, too.
So what are you waiting for?
Let’s start uncovering the badass boss babe I know is in there, ready to grab the business world by the fucking balls.