I'm a new clinical intern in the 2nd year of my MSW program and I am really struggling to be myself, use my natural interpersonal skills, and also behave in a way that is clinically appropriate in a session. Before starting grad school, I worked for 3 years as a career counselor where I was beloved by clients and often told, unsolicited, by clients that I would be an amazing therapist because I created an environment that made people feel validated, supported, and safe even when discussing non-career related issues.

Fast forward, I'm in my therapy practicum, with a similar client demographic, and I'm feeling so socially awkward like I don't know how to connect with people on a basic level. I feel like my only options, especially in intake sessions (which is all I'm working on) are to validate, reflect, and normalize what clients are saying. I feel like a weird robot and find it difficult to show my warm and open personality when I feel so constrained in what I should be saying and not saying.

I got into this line of work because I feel that genuine connection can be a path for healing for folks but I'm having trouble being genuine within the confines of what I'm supposed to do in therapy.

I think it would be helpful for me to hear from other therapists who went through this? Maybe it's just a phase.