2 answers
Alizah
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Updated
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What is the hardest thing as a therapist?
I’m 13, and I live in Arizona, I want to know what’s the pros and cons about being a therapist, because I like to help people and want people to fix their situations, and I’m not sure if i will be able to pursue that career.
if there are any currently/retired working therapists out there can you let me know by telling me what’s the pros and cons of being one and if it’s not that easy being a therapist and what kind of schooling do I need to be a therapist? And is it worth the time and money to get into being a therapist?
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2 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6193
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Alizah,
Navigating Life as a Therapist
Being a therapist can be a journey of its own, with the challenges and rewards varying from person to person, depending on their clients and the unique issues they face. Here's a glimpse into some of the most common hurdles and joys of being a therapist:
1. Emotional Tug of War: Therapy can be emotionally taxing. Therapists often assist clients grappling with trauma, loss, or other heavy issues. Balancing empathy and emotional boundaries while fostering a supportive environment can be quite a tightrope walk.
2. The Human Puzzle: Each client is a unique puzzle, with complex emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Understanding and navigating this diversity can be a challenging yet intriguing part of a therapist's job.
3. The Control Paradox: Therapists can guide and support, but the ultimate control over progress lies with the client. This can be a tough pill to swallow for some therapists who deeply care about their clients' well-being.
4. The Risk of Burnout: The emotional intensity of therapy can sometimes lead to burnout or compassion fatigue, a state of emotional exhaustion that can stem from working with struggling clients.
5. Breaking Social Barriers: There's still a stigma around mental health, and some people may be reluctant to seek therapy. Therapists sometimes face the challenge of persuading clients to seek help or dealing with skepticism from others.
6. Resource Constraints: Depending on the setting, therapists might have limited resources to provide the best care for their clients, including funding, access to specialized services, or support staff.
7. Behind-the-Scenes Work: Like any job, therapy involves administrative tasks like paperwork, billing, and scheduling, which can take away from client-focused time.
Despite these hurdles, being a therapist can be incredibly rewarding. Here are some of the perks:
1. Making a Difference: Therapists have the privilege of helping clients overcome challenges and enhance their mental health, making a positive difference in their lives.
2. Personal Evolution: Therapy can be a journey of self-discovery for both the therapist and the client, fostering emotional intelligence and self-understanding.
3. Embracing Variety: Each client brings unique situations and challenges, keeping the work exciting and stimulating constant learning and growth.
4. Flexible Lifestyle: Depending on their specialty, therapists can enjoy flexible schedules and workloads, promoting a healthy work-life balance.
5. Specialization Opportunities: Therapists can choose to specialize in working with specific populations or addressing specific issues, adding another layer of interest to their work.
Becoming a therapist requires a master's degree in counseling, social work, or psychology, and obtaining a license to practice in your state. This journey can be a significant commitment in terms of time and money, but the opportunity to positively influence people's lives can make it all worthwhile.
In conclusion, being a therapist is a journey filled with challenges and rewards. It demands empathy, emotional intelligence, and a thirst for learning and growth. The investment to become a therapist might be substantial, but the fulfillment derived from making a positive impact on people's lives is priceless.
References:
1. American Psychological Association. (2017). Stress and burnout among therapists. Retrieved from <https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2017/04/stress-burnout>
2. National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Becoming a mental health professional. Retrieved from <https://www.nami.org/learn/training/becoming-a-mental-health-professional>
3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). Behavioral health workforce data. Retrieved from <https://www.samhsa.gov/data/workforce/behavioral-health-workforce-data>
Navigating Life as a Therapist
Being a therapist can be a journey of its own, with the challenges and rewards varying from person to person, depending on their clients and the unique issues they face. Here's a glimpse into some of the most common hurdles and joys of being a therapist:
1. Emotional Tug of War: Therapy can be emotionally taxing. Therapists often assist clients grappling with trauma, loss, or other heavy issues. Balancing empathy and emotional boundaries while fostering a supportive environment can be quite a tightrope walk.
2. The Human Puzzle: Each client is a unique puzzle, with complex emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Understanding and navigating this diversity can be a challenging yet intriguing part of a therapist's job.
3. The Control Paradox: Therapists can guide and support, but the ultimate control over progress lies with the client. This can be a tough pill to swallow for some therapists who deeply care about their clients' well-being.
4. The Risk of Burnout: The emotional intensity of therapy can sometimes lead to burnout or compassion fatigue, a state of emotional exhaustion that can stem from working with struggling clients.
5. Breaking Social Barriers: There's still a stigma around mental health, and some people may be reluctant to seek therapy. Therapists sometimes face the challenge of persuading clients to seek help or dealing with skepticism from others.
6. Resource Constraints: Depending on the setting, therapists might have limited resources to provide the best care for their clients, including funding, access to specialized services, or support staff.
7. Behind-the-Scenes Work: Like any job, therapy involves administrative tasks like paperwork, billing, and scheduling, which can take away from client-focused time.
Despite these hurdles, being a therapist can be incredibly rewarding. Here are some of the perks:
1. Making a Difference: Therapists have the privilege of helping clients overcome challenges and enhance their mental health, making a positive difference in their lives.
2. Personal Evolution: Therapy can be a journey of self-discovery for both the therapist and the client, fostering emotional intelligence and self-understanding.
3. Embracing Variety: Each client brings unique situations and challenges, keeping the work exciting and stimulating constant learning and growth.
4. Flexible Lifestyle: Depending on their specialty, therapists can enjoy flexible schedules and workloads, promoting a healthy work-life balance.
5. Specialization Opportunities: Therapists can choose to specialize in working with specific populations or addressing specific issues, adding another layer of interest to their work.
Becoming a therapist requires a master's degree in counseling, social work, or psychology, and obtaining a license to practice in your state. This journey can be a significant commitment in terms of time and money, but the opportunity to positively influence people's lives can make it all worthwhile.
In conclusion, being a therapist is a journey filled with challenges and rewards. It demands empathy, emotional intelligence, and a thirst for learning and growth. The investment to become a therapist might be substantial, but the fulfillment derived from making a positive impact on people's lives is priceless.
References:
1. American Psychological Association. (2017). Stress and burnout among therapists. Retrieved from <https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2017/04/stress-burnout>
2. National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Becoming a mental health professional. Retrieved from <https://www.nami.org/learn/training/becoming-a-mental-health-professional>
3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). Behavioral health workforce data. Retrieved from <https://www.samhsa.gov/data/workforce/behavioral-health-workforce-data>
Katherine Avery
Run a music studio and teach private music lessons; teach college-level religion classes
350
Answers
Spanish Fork, Utah
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
Hey Alizah!
Just in terms of wanting to learn more about what the psychology world can be like, you will want to become familiar with some good professionals who have put out good books and podcasts etc.--look up John Townsend, Henry Cloud, Les and Leslie Parrott, Gary Chapman, Ross Campbell, John and Julie Gottman, Terry Real, and John Delony and get familiar with the kinds of things they say and write and teach, as well as John Gray's books What You Feel You Can Heal and Beyond Mars and Venus; and you could also work to become at least somewhat familiar with 12-step programs and what their tradition and culture are. Knowing about these resources can let you know the kinds of conversations that are happening about things that many people come to psychologists for help with, and let you start to know what you would want to look into further or form your own opinions.
Just in terms of wanting to learn more about what the psychology world can be like, you will want to become familiar with some good professionals who have put out good books and podcasts etc.--look up John Townsend, Henry Cloud, Les and Leslie Parrott, Gary Chapman, Ross Campbell, John and Julie Gottman, Terry Real, and John Delony and get familiar with the kinds of things they say and write and teach, as well as John Gray's books What You Feel You Can Heal and Beyond Mars and Venus; and you could also work to become at least somewhat familiar with 12-step programs and what their tradition and culture are. Knowing about these resources can let you know the kinds of conversations that are happening about things that many people come to psychologists for help with, and let you start to know what you would want to look into further or form your own opinions.