When Did You Decide to Become a Therapist?

@realnervous

Hello there!

Hearing how you want to one day help others is so amazing. Sometimes when we struggle with our own issues in life we think about the people around us struggling and find it within us to want to do more to help. It sounds like this is happening for you! I hope that you can look into becoming a therapist and thank you for sharing some of your story here as it's really inspiring.

I've been a therapist approaching 5 years now. I've always had an interest in mental health and psychology because of my experiences growing up and having an interest in how people think and how this impacts their behaviour. It's a fascinating field and one where everyday I feel like you learn something new!

@realnervous

Good morning, I became a therapist because I could see a very big need in my local community. So many people were fearful of turning for help because of the stigma attached. I live in an isolated rural community; mostly comprised of ranchers, minors and seasonal migrant workers.

They worried about what others will think fo them. Literally everyone knows everyone. There are few resources here, and many people live below the poverty line as well. I wanted to give back to my community, but also wanted to help my neighbors in way that I felt would have long lasting effects.

@realnervous

Thanks for asking this important question! I think that if you are considering becoming a therapist one day, this would be very helpful to know! I decided to become a therapist due to similar reasons that have been posted here, as well. I think that you will find that this is usually the case for most therapists. Much like you (it seems), I became interested in becoming a therapist due to experiences I have had throughout my life which I wanted to understand better and learn from. I decided to become a therapist once I became skilled at managing my own mental health as well as figured out that I am someone who could provide the essentials to others, such as listening, empathy, and consistency. I wish you well on your journey!

@realnervous

Hi!! I have been in practice since 2006. I knew I wanted to be in the helping professions when I was six years old. Many of my aunts and uncles fostered children so I became familiar with the behavioral health system. I saw a lot of things going wrong and knew then I wanted to help. I began my career working for child protective services- and eventually completed my degrees and became a therapist. My specialty is 0-5 trauma but I have extensive experience beyond that. I love what I do and Im glad I decided to pursue it. I have also been the recipient of therapy and find it adds so much to my life by giving me a great outlet and safe space to explore my emotions.

🙂 Dominecaa

@realnervous That's a great question! I've myself experienced benefits of counselling and therapy when I had a tough phase in my teen years handling the ups and downs that came my way. Being on the other side of the table did give a lot of perspectve in retrospect in terms of how empowering therapy can be. On the other side, I've known many who hold back from seeking help due to the stigma that surrounds mental health in general. Probably the stigma is a little stronger where I come from and that's kind of inspired me to really dive into this field years later and keep doing my bit in the hope of making a difference. I have always been a people's person, and I get a high out of just being there for people when they just need you to be there. I was happy and doing well at my corporate job, but I felt I miss something. I've noticed that people would feel comfortable to open up with me, even before I became a therapist - and at times I used to second guess whether the way I respond would really help them. That also kind of encouraged me to train myself and get into this professionally. I wish you all the best, you seem to have genuine desire to reach out to people and that's really awesome.

Hi! I decided to become a therapist when I was looking to go back to school and change careers (I was burned out from working in publishing and advertising). I was a graphic designer with an undergraduate degree in secondary education and while I was doing research for graduate schools and programs I discovered the field of art therapy and went to an info night presentation and it all clicked. I had no idea that you could work as a therapist AND use art and creativity to help with that work. So I figured out what I needed to do for prerequisites, work freelance and retail, and went back to school to get those things done. Along the way, I kept researching programs and found one that was a full clinical psychology combined with an art therapy program, so I basically ended up with a double masters. I moved across the country to go to school (NYC to Seattle) and after a long time there working in community mental health and then private practice, now I live in Portugal, where I work with people who speak English and I also do therapy work online. It's been an awesome process of learning A LOT about myself (therapy for yourself is essential to be able to work with other people) and how I move through the world, and that has helped me learn how to support other people, both professionally and personally. I hope this is helpful!

Hi I thought about studying psychology since I was 18 but then my mother died and too many problems to face...still I was always interested and reading a lot, went through personal therapy and then started to study communication and slowly in time I understood that my willingness to listen and help others could have become my life choice, and I started college and I am always glad of my choice, I feel this is what I want to do.

Thank to everyone who is sharing and reading

How many will tell you the true reasons? An easy, high paying job without doing anything but watching rea lifel human TV and getting payed for it...Some bribed their way in the branch, others were "confortably guided by parents".

I had plenty of therapists, one was sleeping during my session, another tried to hypnotise me...

Do you think any of them would tell you their true reasons? They just feed you a blabla human caring thing. Statistics proves me right. If only one of them was not allright I would accept it as an exception (weeds in the garden).

But when the weeds are more than the plants and flowers, you really want to get out of that garden and go for a swim...better than 10 therapists...

@realnervous

Hello there !

I became a therapist because all throughout my teenage years and early childhood I was struggling and dealing alone with my low self esteem and confidence. I never liked the feeling and I was also aware of my problems. Could not get help as seeking therapy was a stigma in my country.Someof my close family memebers were also going through anxiety & depression. I felt helpless for not being able to be their support. This motivated me to get into this profession. It is a great field and everyday you get to explore something new. Now I genuinely feel passionate about my work. I also feel good because I am always connected with people. Wishing you good luck and am sure you will feel inspired everyday by joining this forum.