These days we might all be thinking we need a little therapy. But how about going one step further. Learning about the ins and outs of one’s mind can be more than just self-discovery. As a therapist, these insights can be used for the betterment of others. We spoke with Amber Clemens, a family therapist, and she gave us a breakdown of her career as a therapist.
How to get started
If you’re considering a career in medicine but are more interested in the mental side of things, classes like psychology are great for forming an initial interest in a career as a therapist. When planning to pursue psychology, it’s good to plan ahead. There are two different paths to take: clinical or research. It’s important to consider your personal characteristics. For example, would you rather work with patients or plan studies to create new counseling techniques? If this is something that you’re thinking about pursuing, a bachelor’s degree in psychology will be great exposure to a wide variety of information. Dr. Clemens was able to pursue specific work under addiction psychology. However, a graduate program would have more opportunities in the career field. This would be about 2-4 more years of schooling, but it may be worth it to grow your skills or pursue your interests.
Some job opportunities include:
Social worker
Professional counselor
Marriage and family therapist
Rehabilitation specialist
A day in the life of a therapist
There are many different specialties that a person could focus on when they become a therapist: grief and loss, women's issues, high school/college students, and military families. Therapy is truly versatile and applicable to anyone.
As a family therapist, Dr. Clemens gives us some techniques that are applicable to any patient. It’s most important to build trust or rapport so that patients will open up. Playing games or doing artwork are great ways to form this connection. The relationship between patient and therapist is a therapeutic alliance. This alliance is made up of more than just a friendly relationship; it’s also an agreement on goals and treatment. Learning how to cooperate is a crucial skill in this career. Doing this helps with case conceptualization or building a treatment plan and explanation for a patient's behavior.
One of the most rewarding parts of this career is getting to help people feel comfortable with their own emotions and be vulnerable in ways they’ve never let themselves before. To her, hearing someone say “I’ve never told someone that before” is one of the most valuable things about her job. There’s something inherently satisfying about getting something off of your chest, and finally having relief. Seeing this in a patient is a marker of success. Being expressive is a step on the path to growth, and as a therapist and a nurturer, it’s part of the job to be there every step of the way. There’s a feeling of joy in seeing how much people can overcome—a testament to the human spirit.
There are also more challenging parts of the career. Sometimes a therapist can’t always help the patient. There could be a lack of resources, or maybe the patient isn’t willing to open up. It’s hard to believe that there can’t be helpful for everyone. As a therapist, work never leaves. But despite the weight of having to carry the concerns of your patients, there's an important lesson that can be learned from this. Teach yourself how to set boundaries and self-reflect.
A word of advice
For high schoolers, things may seem overwhelming right now but it’s important to keep in mind that there are always options available. Therapy is encouraged, but of course, that’s not an option for everyone. Having a good support network of friends and trusted adults is a good resource to lean on. Know your boundaries, and prioritize your mental health. It’s ok to take a break.
For our work with Giving a Ray of Hope, note that for children sickness can be an isolating experience. Providing distractions and social interaction is a good way to provide a sense of normalcy for such a stressful situation. Just like in the workplace as a therapist, forming a good connection is vital. Talking about their interests or listening to music together is a good way to start engaging; the small things are what can stick the most.
Additional resources:
Crisis Text Line: Text SIGNS to 741741 for 24/7, anonymous, free crisis counseling