I'm in a similar situation. I find the process fascinating. Are you in school? Perhaps you could take a couple of psychology courses as electives and see what you think. Volunteering also sounds like a great way to dip your toe in

Hi Amazon,

I know what you mean about developing a "fascination" with therapy. I could give you a bibliography of the books & websites I've read this past year. I would have been embarrassed to admit this to my ex-T, but many times I was reading the books in order to try to understand how he was thinking, what his perspective was, so I could be a "good" patient and cooperate with the therapy. And the whole concept of transference, and the power it has to help you see your unconscious stuff, is fascinating to me.

Your question made me think of how much I enjoyed hearing about my ex-T's other patients. He expected me to feel jealous of them, but I didn't feel that way at all. I loved it when he would describe some of the experiences he shared with other patients, it was very interesting and I envied him a little. He has a very demanding career but one that must be very rewarding, too. He told me that people have always talked easily to him about personal things...he said people would just start personal conversations with him in the oddest places...and he truly cares for people, so he decided to make a career out of it. He has a very charming and funny personality, and is good at challenging perceptions and offering different possible interpretations. I'm sure he helps a lot of people think and feel better about themselves.

And I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but yes, I have wished I could become a therapist. I would love to be able to help people who are hurting, to watch them change and grow and to be a part of that, to know that I was useful to someone else in an important way. I'm not particularly good with groups of people, unless I'm "in charge" such as teaching a class, but my favorite way of communicating with people is "one-on-one" so I can focus on just them. I've sponsored a handful of women in a 12-step group that I belong to, and I enjoyed it, although I don't know how much I helped them. I just really enjoy getting to know people as they really are, without the masks.

But there are many obstacles to seriously considering it, the biggest being the struggles I'm having in my own therapy, and the next biggest being the struggles I'm having in parenting my own kids, because from what I've experienced and read, being a therapist involves "re-parenting" the patient to some degree. Then there is the training and education involved. And not least is that I would be afraid of not only not helping someone who comes in for help, but inadvertently hurting or disappointing them. I would want to be very careful to have my own "stuff" in order before even considering pursuing a career like this.

Your idea of trying out volunteer work sounds like an excellent way to see if you have a heart for helping people. Simply coming up with the idea makes me suspect that you do. Please let us know how it goes for you.

Thanks for bringing up the topic, Amazon!

SG

Strummergirl,
I think I will do try volunteering at some stage, since I feel less afraid of people and I feel like I'm connecting better with them sort of. There is still long way to go though. And I really would need to find some spare time in a week.

I was also thinking about the huge resposibility for other person's life in therapy. I imagine that requires a lot of confidence and knowledge. Somebody's life is in your hands. It would be scary.

I discovered recently that I read 2 same books as my T did and I felt kind of proud that they were my picks as well.

Heather - I work and do evening course in accounts to get some 'useful qualification' on top of my current profesion. But I don't think it is ever too late to learn something new, so maybe, some day... we'll see

I would absolutely love to do this profession. I have always been drawn to professions which care for people and try to help them in some real way. However, I feel I would become too involved, I would never be able to leave my work in work. I'm sure I could connect with people and get to the root of some of their problems but I'm not strong enough to do it. Some of my interest was sparked off by my relationship with my ex-T. I really was in awe of his work as a professional T. And that's trying to be objective, as in what he succeeded in getting me to understand while I was working with him. His infinite patience and care. It takes such a selfless and strong person to do that.

I have often thought about volunteering in a care or crisis centre for women but again I would be weary that I wouldn't be able to give them what they need. I would only want the best for other people and I would have to be sure that I could offer that to them.

Mrs. P

I actually did consider Psychology, but, realized that it might be really depressing, so I went for a more fun profession. The human mind is a fascinating place to investigate, however!

Just wish there were more answers. Sometimes it seems like the therapists just look at their old school books and turn to a page 3 for answer to question #1. I would like more of a "do this" for this result sort of approach.

Interesting.

.

I'm currently working towards my BS in Psychology with the full support of my T. It was actually hard to tell him about this when I decided to pursue it, but he tells me that I have a psychological way of looking at things and so it's a good fit. I am also very active in my own therapy and have read a lot of research on my own which gives me a good background for what I study in school. The problem with becoming a therapist (there are all kinds requiring different degrees and licensing ... LCSW, MSW, PhD, LPC, LMHC) is that you need practicum and a huge number of hours of interning. You also need bare minimum a Master's Degree. All of this is daunting, especially for someone who is doing this part-time and needs to keep the "day" job and is not exactly a youngster. This is something I struggle with daily. Why am I doing this? Will I be able to see it through to the end? How can I do the interning? Is it worth it?

I have discussed it with my T and he has been really good about it. He reminds me to take one step at a time and one day at a time and that the journey is as important as the destination.

The other thing I wanted to mention is that much of what I study can be triggering to me personally and I've had to really push through some of it with a lot of discomfort. Before I could ever become a therapist I would have to be sure I have dealt with my own "stuff" and put it to rest and feel enough comfort to be able to deal with others going through the same things without it triggering me. My T thinks that because I have been through a lot myself that I would be a very effective T, especially in the areas of attachment and trauma which is where my interest is.

TN

Hi Amazon,
Great question! I actually talked to my T about what he thought about me becoming a therapist and like TNs T (a wise man ), he said that he often feels like people who have done significant healing in therapy often make the best therapists. I was also concerned about bringing my own stuff into the room and my T reassured me that everyone has their own "stuff" and the point of internships and supervision is to teach you to keep it out of the room.

I've checked into getting an MSW (Masters of Social Work) which would be my quickest path to clinical practice but it's really expensive. NY State has pretty strict licensing laws and there are only so many programs that are guarenteed to be approved by the licensing board. The only one within driving distance of me would currently cost $87,000 to obtain the Masters. That's a lot of moula! So there's no way I can even think about starting until we get our kids through college (their tutition is quite enough thank you!) so I'm at least seven years away from starting.

So in the meantime, I've contacted a local crisis line and started the process of volunteering. The next training session starts in March and I'm hoping I'll be able to do that. I think the experience will be a good opportunity to see if I have the aptitude for the work. And as TN mentioned, see if I can manage my own triggers when working with other people.

But I must admit, I find this fascinating stuff (I've also done a lot of reading and seem to have a knack. My T commented on that when I asked him about me becoming a therapist). And beyond that, therapy has done so much to make my life better that I want to be on the other end helping other people. To bring good out of the wrong done to me would be incredibly satisfying.

AG

87000$ for a Masters!!??
Is it 5 years Masters degree course? Still...
I honestly think it is outrageous that you have to pay fortune for third level education.

Hi all!

Just wanted to say best of luck to all those volunteering and working towards a qualification in Psychology or Therapy work.

I'm particularly in awe of AG (as usual!)-you are juggling so much at home and with your own work and you're still trying to work towards helping more people. I hope you succeed, the patients will be lucky to have you.

Similarly, I hope you can achieve all you want TN. It's nice that your T is supporting you-I can imagine your nervousness at bringing it up with him as, like you said, the thought of bringing your own "stuff" into the session would be a big fear. I agree with those on here who say that the best T's are probably those who have worked through such "stuff" themselves, it gives unique insight and empathy with your client.

Mrs. P

my answer is NO

My counsellor told me that I have natural talent in that field so I was pursing then he realized that I was really serious then he discouraged me saying " you are too emotional"

I wanted to say same thing to him but I didn't want to disrespect.

How would patient know that if we are dealing with psycho counsellors???

So creepy...