7 Growth Tips for Rehab Professionals Facing Mid-Career Stages
The mid-career phase can feel like a strange in-between place. You are no longer the eager newbie learning something new every day, but you are also not quite at the finish line of your career. It’s that tricky spot where growth can feel stalled, and the spark you once had might seem dimmer.
A mid-career plateau isn’t a dead-end, however. It’s an opportunity to recalibrate, refocus, and reignite your passion for what you do. Here, we’ll explore some practical, actionable strategies to help you level up in your career.
1. Reflect and Reassess
When was the last time you sat down and truly assessed where you are in your career? If it was long ago, now is the time to do so.
Think about why you entered the rehab field in the first place. Was it to help people walk again, ease chronic pain, or make sports injuries a thing of the past? Did you want to help people quit addictive behavior and start afresh?
When you are buried in paperwork, client schedules, and never-ending emails, it’s easy to lose sight of your purpose. So, before you make any drastic moves, pause and take some time to reflect.
Grab a notebook or your favorite notes app and take inventory. Jot down three things you love most about your job and three things you’d like to change. This simple exercise can offer surprising insights.
According to UCSF, reflection is a critical part of career exploration. It helps you take stock of all that you have experienced and learned, return to your own values, interests, and talents, and refocus your plans for the future.
Once you have that, reassessing will become easier. It will be easy for you to decide whether you need a career pivot, upskill, or simply adjust your work-life balance.
2. Choose Your Area of Specialty Wisely
If you want to move up quickly, Wealest advises specializing in any area of your choice. Unlike generalization, specialization can unlock career growth and job satisfaction.
Not every specialty can help you grow, however. That is why it’s important to choose wisely.
Which area interests you the most—think about that. Deciding whether you enjoy working with women or have an interest in helping patients recover from cancer or substance use disorders can guide you in choosing your area of specialty.
Consider the pay as well. There is no point in investing your time and money specializing in an area where salary is meager.
Take, for example, you’re a physical therapist. According to IBISWorld, there were 582,314 people already working as physical therapists in the U.S. in 2023. Of course, the numbers have risen since then. Of the total number of professionals, only 40,434 individuals received board certification as clinical specialists in physical therapy this June.
Cardiovascular and pulmonary clinical specialists (CCS) are often among the highest-paid professionals. It’s no wonder that 549 people specialized in this area. Their hourly pay ranges between $26.44 and $63.46. Meanwhile, their annual earnings range between $55,000 and $132,000.
Others specialized in clinical electrophysiology, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, and orthopedics. These are also among the other top-paying physical therapist specialties.
The investment in specialized training might seem daunting at first, but it’s often the catalyst needed to advance your career options.
3. Expand Your Professional Network
Networking is more powerful than you think. The people you surround yourself with can inspire you, open doors, and even push you out of that mid-career rut.
Tapping into your existing networking during your mid-career shift is vital to your success, says It’s Your Career. So, reach out to professionals who can keep you aware of opportunities.
Don’t limit yourself to an existing network, however. Expand your professional network. That, no doubt, will take some time and a bit of effort, but it will be worth it in the end.
Stepping outside your bubble can help you expand your circle of contacts. Attend conferences, webinars, or workshops specific to rehab. Not only will that help widen your knowledge, but you will also meet people who share your passion.
LinkedIn is also full of like-minded professionals sharing ideas. Create a profile there if you haven’t already, and follow people.
According to Business.com, having more than 500 connections can help you appear established in your industry. That, however, doesn’t mean you should add connections mindlessly.
Connect with only people who belong to your industry, and you could see yourself working with them in the future or who could provide valuable insight about your career.
Follow professionals but also engage. Comment on posts, ask questions or share your insights. That will help you further grow your network.
4. Explore New Treatment Models
If you’re stuck doing the same old thing every day, exploring new treatment models can reinvigorate your practice and open new opportunities to help clients more effectively.
The field of rehabilitation is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve not only boosts your career, but also enhances the care you provide. Research emerging trends in your specialty.
If you are a substance abuse treatment counselor, for instance, you must stay informed about the shifting landscape of drug use and treatment needs.
The rising incidence of illicit drug use in the U.S., particularly fentanyl, has created an urgent demand for innovative treatment models.
A new study by NYU Langone shows that fentanyl has taken over the illegal drug supply in America. Fentanyl, in fact, is a factor in over half of overdose deaths. It’s considered the deadliest drug, especially in Arizona. It’s no wonder that there has been a large uptick in the number of sober living homes and detox programs in the state.
Purpose Healing Center suggests seeking services from a reputable addiction treatment center. Patients should look for one that offers rehab and medically supervised detox to support recovery. Fortunately, there are options in Scottsdale for individuals struggling with substance use disorders across Maricopa County and Phoenix Valley.
As a patient may expect from a true Scottsdale medical detox option, these centers have specialized medical teams that offer 24-hour monitoring and intervention. That assures patient safety during the critical early phases of addiction rehabilitation.
Exploring new treatment models like these doesn’t just elevate your career—it empowers you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those you serve.
5. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
One of the best ways to break free from that mid-career plateau? Stepping outside your comfort zone.
When you step outside your comfort zone, you are forced to learn and adapt. And that is what will help you become a stronger professional.
Maybe you’ve been doing the same type of therapy for years, and it has become predictable. Why not take on a patient case that pushes your limits? Work with someone who has a complex condition or a challenging recovery. It can feel intimidating, but the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles will remind you why you got into this field.
For example, why not get involved in an intensive outpatient program (IOP)? IOPs often deal with people facing mental health issues or addiction recovery. They provide patients with more structured therapy than traditional outpatient care.
In the Phoenix Valley of Arizona, where fentanyl-related cases continue to rise, IOPs offer important support for people struggling with addiction.
The prosecutors of Metro Phoenix, KTAR News 92.3 FM reported, are bracing to file over 8,000 cases involving fentanyl this year. Last year, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said that they filed 8,975 fentanyl-related cases for prosecution.
An IOP for the Phoenix Valley allows for focused recovery without the need for an extended stay in a facility. This offers individuals a chance to heal while still maintaining their daily responsibilities.
That is to say, you will work with patients who require intensive care but don’t need inpatient treatment. This will help sharpen your skills in managing high-needs patients while balancing therapy with the real-world challenges they face.
6. Sharpen Your Soft Skills
Clinical expertise is necessary to excel at your role. But soft skills are just as important in the rehab field.
The ability to communicate effectively, build rapport, and show empathy can make a huge difference in patient outcomes.
Soft skills also help you navigate the complexities of working with diverse individuals and teams. That, thus, ensures you’re not only treating a patient physically, but also addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of recovery.
Being receptive to feedback, according to Indeed, is a large part of improving your soft skills.
Suppose your communication skills aren’t great, and the supervisor or the manager of your current workplace points that out. Improving on them will only benefit you as you will be able to communicate clearly with patients, colleagues, and even family members. Plus, you can explain treatment plans to them in a clear way.
Likewise, if you strengthen your empathic skills, you will be able to build a better relationship with your patients. The benefit? They will trust you and stick with the treatment.
Enrolling in a course on active listening or cultural competence can help you improve your soft skills. It might seem basic, but refining these skills can make your day-to-day work feel more meaningful and effective.
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot
Treating patients is fulfilling, but there is a whole world of opportunities out there for rehab professionals.
Sometimes, staying in the same lane just doesn’t cut it—that’s totally fine. The best thing you can do in such a situation is to pivot. Change is scary, but it’s often where growth happens. So, don’t be afraid to embrace it.
Pivoting doesn’t mean moving in a completely different direction. It’s about finding new ways to leverage your expertise and passion while still making a meaningful impact. For example, you could explore roles in program development, policy advocacy, or education to shape the future of rehab services. Some professionals transition into consulting, helping facilities streamline their operations or implement evidence-based practices.
You might also consider non-clinical roles, such as creating resources for professionals or patients, like training modules, books, or digital tools. This will allow you to expand your reach and make a bigger impact without losing the essence of what drives you.
All in all, a mid-career crisis doesn’t mean you’ve made a wrong choice. Rather, it means you’re ready for the next evolution in your professional journey. So, don’t view it as the end of the road or a sign of failure. View it as a stepping stone instead. And when you’re equipped with these strategies, you can move past the stagnation and create a career that is both fulfilling and exciting.
Whether you try one or all of these tips, bear in mind that growth doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process—so be patient, and you will succeed.
