In the high-pressure world of esthetics, caring for your mental and emotional well-being can sometimes take a backseat. Between seeing clients all day, managing social media, and handling the logistics of running (or working in) a spa, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, isolated, or even stuck.
Heather Dempsey—award-winning spa owner, mentor, and therapeutic coach—offers insight into the most common mental health challenges estheticians face, plus practical steps to ensure you flourish in both work and life.
The Most Common Emotional Challenges Estheticians Face
Feelings of Abandonment or Lack of Support
Some estheticians feel disheartened when family and friends don’t promote or champion their business. This can trigger a sense of isolation as if the people closest to you are indifferent to your dreams.
Heather’s Take
Ask yourself, “Is it 100% true that I can’t succeed without their support?” or “Have I managed some wins on my own before?” By reframing and questioning your assumptions, you often find you’re more capable and supported than you realize.
Working Alone & Feeling Isolated
Many estheticians work solo—renting a suite or running a small studio. The lack of day-to-day camaraderie and limited family support can deepen feelings of loneliness.
Heather’s Take
“Are you truly alone or is there a thriving online community or local group you could join?” Seek out professional networks, masterminds, or local meetups. You’re not as alone as you may think.
Imposter Syndrome
When it seems everyone is more skilled or advanced, imposter syndrome creeps in. You might find yourself believing you’re “not good enough” or “not as credible” as others.
Heather’s Take
Challenge that belief: “In what ways am I actually excelling? What evidence proves I’ve succeeded?” Gather testimonials or results from clients—they offer real proof that you do belong in this industry.
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
Seeing the latest skincare trend or device can trigger anxiety: “If I don’t invest, will I fall behind?” or “Everyone else is offering this—I have to do it too.”
Heather’s Take
Slow down. Ask, “Will my business truly fail if I don’t jump on this bandwagon?” Often, a more patient, strategic approach pays off. It’s more effective than chasing every shiny new toy.
Strategies for Managing Stress During Busy Seasons
For many estheticians, the busy season can be a whirlwind of back-to-back appointments. Here’s how Heather suggests staying centered:
Energetic Cleansing & Shielding
Daily Ritual
Use a short meditation or visualization to “release” the energies picked up from clients. Imagine a protective bubble around you before and after each appointment.
Physical Space
Incorporate sage smudging, essential oils, or even a salt lamp to clear negative vibes.
Therapy & External Support
When to Seek It
If you’re consistently overwhelmed, seeing a therapist, counselor, or therapeutic coach can help you process stress.
Business Consultant
If your stress is rooted in business decisions, it might be a sign you need strategic help more than just emotional support.
How to Establish Healthy Boundaries with Clients
Create Policies You’ll Actually Enforce
Think Ahead
Instead of waiting until you’re fed up with what a client has done for the third time - to enforce rules, consider what you need from day one. Do you require 24-hour cancellation notices? Specific boundaries on texting or after-hours calls?
Communicate Clearly
Include these policies on your website, booking page, or in a friendly email. Clients often respect rules more when they see them from the start. Know that your policies WILL piss people off when you enforce them. Be ready for it - maybe even role-play what that conversation could sound like.
Detach from Taking Things Personally
Heather’s Insight
“Clients are focused on their needs. They’re not usually ignoring your boundaries to be rude—they’re just not thinking about them.” Consistently reassert your rules without anger or guilt.
Practical Example
Set up an automatic voicemail or text response indicating you’ll reply during business hours. Stick to it. Only you can protect your boundaries!
The Role of Self-Care in Preventing Burnout
Know Your Energy Levels
If You’re Fatigued or Sad
Choose nurturing practices like restorative or yin yoga, meditation, or gentle walks. These replenish your nervous system and help you reset.
If You’re Frustrated or Angry
Consider activities that let you release pent-up tension—like kickboxing, high-intensity workouts, or even painting to vent your emotions.
Make It Non-Work Related
Heather’s Wisdom
“If every hobby connects to your business, you’ll never switch off.” So try a dance class, learn a new language, or do something completely unrelated to skincare. Variety fosters creativity and deters burnout.
Balancing Personal Life with Spa Demands
Outsource & Delegate
Virtual Assistant
A VA can handle your social media scheduling, email, or client follow-ups—freeing you to focus on actual treatments or self-care.
Reception Support
Consider a part-time receptionist to answer phones or handle booking requests. It’s an investment in your own mental health.
Set Clear Work/Non-Work Hours
Define Your Off-Time
Decide when you’ll stop answering emails or messages. If your voicemail says you respond only within certain hours, honor that.
Ask Family or Friends for Support
Whether it’s emotional support, help with childcare, or simply respecting your business hours, communicate what you need from loved ones, and don't take it personally if they say no.
Signs It Might Be Time for a Professional (for Mental or Business Support)
Heather’s Insight
“Often we wait until we’re in crisis mode to seek help, but it’s far more effective to get support before the meltdown happens.” Consider a coach or therapist even when you feel healthy and balanced. But if it is too late and you are:
Crying often, feeling unmotivated, or losing hope:
you may be experiencing burnout - therapy and emotional support is key—but a business coach or consultant might also be crucial. If your operations are chaotic, no amount of therapy alone will fix the root those problems will keep causing issues and the emotional aspect may never improve even with therapy.
Patterns & Beliefs:
If your self-doubt or stress constantly sabotages your growth, a therapeutic coach can help dismantle negative patterns while you work on actual business strategy so you rid yourself of the blocks so you can handle anything that comes your way and thrive in the industry.
Tools & Resources to Develop Resilience
Support Systems
Masterminds or Accountability Groups
Meeting regularly with peers to share goals and challenges can keep you motivated.
Coach or Courses with accountability
For business or personal development, staying educated keeps you inspired and less likely to stagnate.
Boundaries & Self-Care Combo
Daily Rituals
A quick journaling session each morning or evening can help discharge worries, track progress, and celebrate wins.
Energy-Clearing Practices
Reiki, smudging, guided meditations, or short breathwork sessions—whatever resonates with your personal beliefs—can help you refocus throughout the day.
Heather’s Core Advice
“Resilience thrives when you blend self-care, good boundaries, a supportive network, and the willingness to ask for help—before you feel you need it.”
Key Takeaways & Final Thoughts
Being an esthetician comes with its own unique challenges—feeling isolated, contending with imposter syndrome, grappling with FOMO, and balancing business demands with personal life.
According to Heather Dempsey, success isn’t just about mastering the latest skincare technology, app, or marketing approach. It’s about relationships, communication, working smarter not harder, prioritizing emotional wellness, setting healthy boundaries, and investing in real support—whether that’s therapy, coaching, or a community of peers.
Remember:
Ask yourself truthful, challenging questions to break negative thinking.
Maintain regular self-care aligned with your emotional needs.
Enforce boundaries so clients respect your time and energy.
Build a business structure that doesn’t overwhelm you.
Don’t wait for crisis mode—seek guidance early.
Ultimately, your mental well-being isn’t an optional add-on. It’s the foundation of everything you do in the aesthetics industry—and it’s what will carry you forward to a fulfilling, sustainable career.
Curious about more in-depth methods to handle stress and thrive in esthetics? Reach out to Heather Dempsey to explore her coaching resources for a personalized approach to mental wellness and business mastery. www.elitespapros.com
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