Thinking about becoming a therapist

[OGBoardPoster2005]

Last week I withdrew from college for the semester. Currently I am a film major with 21 credits remaining before I can get my bachelors and 15 credits left until I get my minor in Political Science. As of late though I have been thinking about changing my major and possibly getting into therapy work. Is it the best idea to change so late in the game or would a Film Major be just as a secure job field as a therapist. How is the job market currently and beyond looking?

[Red Impact]

What type of therapy?

[BitterAF]

I have worked in the mental health field for the past 3 years and am finishing up my masters in mental health counseling so heres my two cents.

1. You work in the field because you are empathetic and like helping others. Chances are you wont make a lot of money, even with a masters degree.

2. Plan on attending grad school. Jobs are limited and hetting cut overall. Start working in the field asap. Plan on working your way up by doing direct care staff work at an agency, hospital, or even being an aide in a school specifically for children with behavioral/emotional disorders. Volunteer work could include being a compeer.

3. My undergrad psych work was 39 credits so less than most programs. So expect more semesters at school. Keep in mind you will need to complete pre reqs. My masters program is 60 credits and you can only take 12 credits a semester and 9 during summer. Add in a job and you can expect 2.5-3 years for that program depending on school/work conflicts.

4. You write a lot of papers. For undergrad courses you will focus on stats a lot. When you begin psychopathology courses it will be overwhelming learning disorders and trying to diagnose. I would say i write about 75 pages a semester between 2-3the classes a semester.

5. Counseling is not advice giving.

6. Clients can and will be difficult. If you become frustrated easily, you will be miserable. Adults or kids, they are challenging in their own ways. Anticipate a client being stuck for extended periods some point for weeks or months. You need to be really patient.

7. If are not morally a good person, you would not be a good fit. My program requires a 600 question personality test. It will come out. If you have mental health issues deal with them first and resolve or be able to manage it well. Its about the client, not you taking about your problems.

8. Counselors see about 30 clients or so for 50 minutes a week. You have to be able to write detailed notes quickly and make use of the little free time you have well.

9. If you cant leave work issues at work, expect to become burnt out quick.

[OGBoardPoster2005]

Jan 15, 2013 21:40:27 GMT -5 BitterAF said:

I have worked in the mental health field for the past 3 years and am finishing up my masters in mental health counseling so heres my two cents.

1. You work in the field because you are empathetic and like helping others. Chances are you wont make a lot of money, even with a masters degree.

2. Plan on attending grad school. Jobs are limited and hetting cut overall. Start working in the field asap. Plan on working your way up by doing direct care staff work at an agency, hospital, or even being an aide in a school specifically for children with behavioral/emotional disorders. Volunteer work could include being a compeer.

3. My undergrad psych work was 39 credits so less than most programs. So expect more semesters at school. Keep in mind you will need to complete pre reqs. My masters program is 60 credits and you can only take 12 credits a semester and 9 during summer. Add in a job and you can expect 2.5-3 years for that program depending on school/work conflicts.

4. You write a lot of papers. For undergrad courses you will focus on stats a lot. When you begin psychopathology courses it will be overwhelming learning disorders and trying to diagnose. I would say i write about 75 pages a semester between 2-3the classes a semester.

5. Counseling is not advice giving.

6. Clients can and will be difficult. If you become frustrated easily, you will be miserable. Adults or kids, they are challenging in their own ways. Anticipate a client being stuck for extended periods some point for weeks or months. You need to be really patient.

7. If are not morally a good person, you would not be a good fit. My program requires a 600 question personality test. It will come out. If you have mental health issues deal with them first and resolve or be able to manage it well. Its about the client, not you taking about your problems.

8. Counselors see about 30 clients or so for 50 minutes a week. You have to be able to write detailed notes quickly and make use of the little free time you have well.

9. If you cant leave work issues at work, expect to become burnt out quick.

Pretty much the field I was thinking about getting into as well. I'm also considering teaching as a field, perhaps becoming a Professor in either the English department or History. If not a professor than a High School teacher. How does the job market fare for those fields as well as therapy?

[OGBoardPoster2005]

Computer Science as well, granted my knowledge there so far is quite limited.

[BitterAF]

Jan 15, 2013 21:51:40 GMT -5 OGBoardPoster2005 said:

Jan 15, 2013 21:40:27 GMT -5 BitterAF said:

I have worked in the mental health field for the past 3 years and am finishing up my masters in mental health counseling so heres my two cents.

1. You work in the field because you are empathetic and like helping others. Chances are you wont make a lot of money, even with a masters degree.

2. Plan on attending grad school. Jobs are limited and hetting cut overall. Start working in the field asap. Plan on working your way up by doing direct care staff work at an agency, hospital, or even being an aide in a school specifically for children with behavioral/emotional disorders. Volunteer work could include being a compeer.

3. My undergrad psych work was 39 credits so less than most programs. So expect more semesters at school. Keep in mind you will need to complete pre reqs. My masters program is 60 credits and you can only take 12 credits a semester and 9 during summer. Add in a job and you can expect 2.5-3 years for that program depending on school/work conflicts.

4. You write a lot of papers. For undergrad courses you will focus on stats a lot. When you begin psychopathology courses it will be overwhelming learning disorders and trying to diagnose. I would say i write about 75 pages a semester between 2-3the classes a semester.

5. Counseling is not advice giving.

6. Clients can and will be difficult. If you become frustrated easily, you will be miserable. Adults or kids, they are challenging in their own ways. Anticipate a client being stuck for extended periods some point for weeks or months. You need to be really patient.

7. If are not morally a good person, you would not be a good fit. My program requires a 600 question personality test. It will come out. If you have mental health issues deal with them first and resolve or be able to manage it well. Its about the client, not you taking about your problems.

8. Counselors see about 30 clients or so for 50 minutes a week. You have to be able to write detailed notes quickly and make use of the little free time you have well.

9. If you cant leave work issues at work, expect to become burnt out quick.

Pretty much the field I was thinking about getting into as well. I'm also considering teaching as a field, perhaps becoming a Professor in either the English department or History. If not a professor than a High School teacher. How does the job market fare for those fields as well as therapy?

Not sure about the education field. I know buffalo is limited. From what i hear the south and west are better places to look at jobs for. I do know School counseling jobs are limited and being cut rapidly. Not a great area to get into right now.

For mental health, were making progress with getting back jobs social workers stole from us. What population would you want to work with? What setting would you work in ( agency, hospital, home, private practice)? Non profits are a better place to look while gaining experience and after a few years gives you a better chance at finding better paying positions else where. At least in new york, you have people fresh out of grad school applying for bachelor positions that requies a few yeara experience. Networking truly does help in this field with promorions. Agencies also like to promote within.

Not everyone majors in psychology before attending grad school for counseling, but i would look into at least getting a minor to get your feet wet with counnseling, psychopathology, research, and statistics. I dont think its late as you have to be mature for the field. Question is if you want to dedicate more time to school. I woild say if you are at least somewhat serious, drop the poli sci minor and minor in psych. Super serious and major in psych.

[OGBoardPoster2005]

Jan 15, 2013 22:37:23 GMT -5 BitterAF said:

Jan 15, 2013 21:51:40 GMT -5 OGBoardPoster2005 said:

Pretty much the field I was thinking about getting into as well. I'm also considering teaching as a field, perhaps becoming a Professor in either the English department or History. If not a professor than a High School teacher. How does the job market fare for those fields as well as therapy?

Not sure about the education field. I know buffalo is limited. From what i hear the south and west are better places to look at jobs for. I do know School counseling jobs are limited and being cut rapidly. Not a great area to get into right now.

For mental health, were making progress with getting back jobs social workers stole from us. What population would you want to work with? What setting would you work in ( agency, hospital, home, private practice)? Non profits are a better place to look while gaining experience and after a few years gives you a better chance at finding better paying positions else where. At least in new york, you have people fresh out of grad school applying for bachelor positions that requies a few yeara experience. Networking truly does help in this field with promorions. Agencies also like to promote within.

Not everyone majors in psychology before attending grad school for counseling, but i would look into at least getting a minor to get your feet wet with counnseling, psychopathology, research, and statistics. I dont think its late as you have to be mature for the field. Question is if you want to dedicate more time to school. I woild say if you are at least somewhat serious, drop the poli sci minor and minor in psych. Super serious and major in psych.

I was thinking more of working in a private practice, but I figure that wouldn't happen until down the road.