Whenever I tell someone I am a therapist, I always get asked what led me to that choice for my career. For starters, I’ve always been “that friend.” You know, the one you go to with all of your problems. People have told me I am a very empathetic and understanding listener. I enjoy helping others and hearing other’s problems. Not because I want to see them in pain, or because it made me feel better but because I can connect with others in that way and try to work on the problem.
My Schooling
A high school psychology class was my first exposure to psychology and I loved it. Studying human behavior and trying to understand why people do what they do is completely fascinating to me. My desire was to help people, so I majored in Psychology at the University of Connecticut. Two years after I graduated from UCONN, I graduated from Fordham University with my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and began my journey as a therapist.
My Career Journey As A Therapist
My first job as a therapist was as a Psychology Associate in a prison in Virginia. This was a choice I made because a recent graduate with student loans and a counseling degree living in NYC doesn’t exactly equate to economic promise. Thanks to the help of a friend, I found a job in Southern Virginia that paid way more than any job I had applied to in NY. So I moved where I could live decently (the cost of living in Southern Virginia is low), and gain a ton of experience towards getting my license (LPC).
2 ½ years working in a medium security prison in Virginia proved interesting. Unfortunately my dad got sick so my husband (then fiancé) and I moved up to Pennsylvania to be closer to my dad. I was hired as a therapist at a Residential Treatment Facility for 12-18 year olds in Northeastern PA. It was a challenging job – more challenging than working with offenders, but I loved it.
I worked with some of the most difficult teenagers from a wide array of backgrounds (foster care, physical and sexual abuse) but it was really awesome. The most enjoyable part was watching them change and grow. We worked together from the time they got there until they left . In a timeframe of 3-12 months, I got to watch them on this journey to better themselves. Sometimes a lot of progress was made, and other times only a little, but it was amazing to witness.
A Sudden Change
For a host of reasons, the RTF ended up closing (while I was 6 months pregnant). I was moved to the Outpatient Department within the same organization as a therapist there. That is where I have been for the past 10 years. While working as an Outpatient Therapist, I got my LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). I have been licensed for the last 7 years. It honestly would have happened sooner but I really procrastinated taking the NCE exam.
On an average day, I see anywhere from 8-12 clients varying in age from as young as 3 years old to as old as 25 years old. The disorders I treat range anywhere from depression and anxiety to ADHD, Autism, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, to name a few. Most days I am told by clients that they feel relieved just to have “gotten something off of their chest” with an objective person listening to them in a non-judgmental manner.
The Rewards of Being a Therapist
My job isn’t always easy, but it’s always interesting. I love the fact that I never really know on any given day what will happen. No matter how much experience I gain, there is always something new to learn, a new way to grow, or a new problem to tackle. Every day, my clients surprise and challenge me. They learn from me and I learn from them – every. single. day.
The work is extremely rewarding. My clients grant me access to the most secret, painful parts of their lives. Often, I am the only one that knows these parts and to me that is an absolute privilege. Sometimes, clients come in with abuse stories so awful that I have a hard time believing it actually happened. These are the days that are particularly difficult. It’s upsetting to think how awful people can be. Hearing such horrific stories is rough – but the resilience of people is quite inspirational. When I think that I can help my clients feel better and heal, I feel blessed.
No Better Feeling
The best feeling though, in my opinion, is when a client comes in and tells me how a specific intervention I gave them was helpful. Clients have told met that they can hear my voice in their head when they feel anxious or depressed. They can hear me tell them what to do, and they do it, and it works. I have impacted someone’s life – and there is no better feeling than that.
So, that is why I do what I do. I have some intense, emotional conversations with complete strangers. I form intimate bonds with people I may never see again. I figuratively hold the hands of the emotionally troubled and help them through some of their darkest times. My life has changed for the better and I know I’ve changed some lives along the way and I will continue to do so for as long as I am able.
Sorry for the long post . I hope it gives you a better look into my life, where I am coming from and why I write about the things I do. <3
I just came across this blog post on Pinterest! I’m personally considering pursuing a career as a mental health counselor in the coming years so I’m doing as much research as possible, reading about others’ experiences, etc. It’s going to be a long, roundabout journey for me but this was encouraging to read your experience! Thank you for sharing your story!
Glad you stopped by! Good luck in your pursuit – feel free to email me anytime if you have any questions! Thanks for stopping by!
I love this! I’m a website designer and I have enjoyed creating websites for several therapists. I recently decided to niche down and focus just on that audience. To do this, I’ve been researching all I can about what it’s like to be a therapist/psychologist. Your post exemplifies why I love working with therapists. Have you considered going into private practice? I’m a bit confused on being able to be a therapist before you had your LPC. I need to research that some more. Anyway, thanks so much for this post and letting me get inside your head a little bit!
Hi Elaine! That’s awesome! Thanks for stopping by! Yes, I have considered private practice, but I am currently also in a supervisor role with my current job which I am really enjoying. I have been there for 10 years and it offers a lot of comfort and flexibility, plus I love my coworkers. This isn’t to say in the future I won’t branch out to private practice, but at the moment I am staying put. In PA (not sure if the same rings true for other states) we are able to bill under the facility for Medical Assistance clients with just a Master’s degree. We also have intake workers who complete the initial paperwork for us, one of whom only has a Bachelor’s degree and is currently in school for her Master’s. Thanks again for stopping by! <3
Well, I am a 47 year old woman, CRYING in tears of joy as I read and re-read this article as well as the comments. This just solidifies what I want and should be doing as a career! I know in my soul that this is my calling. I know it’s late in the game, but I’ve been raising my 5 kids, 2 still at home, but I’m READY. Now I just need the strength to tell my husband. I hope and pray he supports and believes in me. I’ve been through events in my life that has led me to counseling and knowing I can possibly help people is like breathing new air. I know it won’t be easy, but I am excited and hopeful! Thank you for sharing your story. ❤️🙏🏼
Hi Paulina! I am so glad you enjoyed reading about my journey! I am positive that if you feel that strongly in your heart that this is your calling, then go for it! The thing that I love about a career in counseling is that you can start later in life and be just as successful if not more successful in your career and helping others through situations and life experiences that you have been through and learned about how to cope. Let me know if you need any help or have any questions! I wish you the best on whatever is the best decision for you and your family!
I am just rounding up my first degree Psychology Major.
I can relate with you and I am considering this branch of psychology too.
I’d like to read more of your experiences.
Thank you.
Thank you – feel free to email me any questions you may have. It’s been a busy year so I have not been uploading as much as I would like which I am hoping will change soon =) Thanks for stopping by.