Because my husband works in fashion, I’ve learned more about clothes and fashion than I ever thought worthwhile or even thought rational. I’ve learned that clothing and fashion are a vital language that everyone’s speaking and, as Bateson said, “We cannot not communicate.”

Dress codes are for people who don’t speak fashion very well and that’s okay but it does say something about you as a person and you as a therapist, whether you consciously intend it or not. Authenticity goes a long way toward success with clients in therapy and you can’t fake authenticity. So dress intentionally to communicate who you are as a therapist, your practice and your clients will benefit.

After 20-some years of practice, I’ve found clients rarely care what I wear if I’m doing my job but they do care who I am.