[pegasus]

I have spent years and years wanting to be a therapist, done everything possible to help/volunteer, felt and was told I had the knowledge and know how. Became a member of the British Psychological Society, did a load of doctoral level certificates in clinical psychology. Believing I could make it, following my dream I gave up a good job in order to find work as a therapist. A year later and I still have no job. Nobody wants me. I contacted my professional organization and they said the doctoral level certs I have don't mean anything unless you are already qualified. Wish they'd told me that before.

So with a heavy heart I am throwing in the towel. It's time for me to say enough is enough. I tried to follow my dream and it didn't work out. So I'm shortly going back to working with children with special needs. I should be pleased that I have the opportunity to go back and do that work but I feel very sad that all my work in psychology has come to nothing.

I guess sometimes it's ok to give up, I tried but I'm not good enough apparently.

Thanks for reading this.

((pegs))))) Im sorry your part of the dream is not coming true as you wish.
((hope this is coming out right)))))
I want you to know what a gift you will be working with children with special needs.
Maybe they need you more. Children are so important.
The difference some of the teachers have made in my sons life at his school has forever changed his life for the good.
He had a Ts in his life years ago , no one could reach him like those teachers did.
As you know he was a special needs child and went to a school for LD and other things.
The gift those teachers give is priceless..................

[pegasus]

Thank you (((((( muffy )))))) Your kind words really help.

I worked with children with special needs for three years before and it was super rewarding, I'm lucky they want me back. Seems God really does want me to work with children no matter what.

I wanted to do bigger and better things but that isn't to be.

[silentandscared]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Pegasus}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}



sometimes when one door closes another opens.......its hard when dreams dont seem to come to nothing...........Pegasus l am sure that not being good enough is not in question but think of all the benefits that all these children will get when they come into contact with your kind and caring heart..........

be gentle with you..............................who knows where this road may take you..................as one door closes , so another opens

Mandyxx

[pegasus]

Thank you ((((((( Mandy ))))))

I have felt like I have been rejected and a failure in a big way and the decision to stop trying has not been an easy one. I know that I am very good with children and I will be working with some severely disabled children, some that I worked with before. It will be familiar ground for me and working with a good bunch of people that know me well. Maybe it is not a failure after all.

[phoenix7]

I think helping children is a huge thing!

Dont give up on your dream - maybe you can volunteer somwhere and gain experience that way and then that wil help you get into a job - I hope it works out for you and that your dream comes true

[pegasus]

Thank you ((((((( phoenix ))))))))

Believe me, I really have tried hard to become a psychologist. I worked as a therapist with adults many years ago but over this past year I must have applied for over a hundred jobs. It really is time to say, it's over. So, I now feel like I am taking a back step in going back to what I was doing before but it is still educational/support work nonetheless.

[Catherine2]

((Pegs))
Thinking of you...

Perhaps this will lead to more peace, joy, and laughter in your heart.
In no way does this reflect on your worthiness and and abilities, Pegs. I'm a firm believer that we are led, sometimes in a round about way, to fulfill a purpose.
You have the most wonderful qualities to once again be working with these children...not everyone has the love and patience for it.

I'm not discounting your dream being put on hold; it's another loss that is causing you more grief...

Know that you are in my heart,
Catherine

[pegasus]

(((((( Catherine ))))))

Thank you so much, I knew you would understand.

I have some great memories of the work I did with children before, absolute joy would fill my heart. The feelings were all good but the money is seriously crap! I guess money isn't everything and doesn't actually make you happy. I'm starting off with 'supply' work to get me back into it. I bumped into one of the 'Mum's' the other day and she was overjoyed I was coming back. Her little boy just gave me the biggest hug in the whole wide world! Aww...

[Soidhonia]

(((PEG))) Hello I know we have Banged Heads numerous times. on many things but I feel that (even though you may agree to disagree, which is fine), Peg, sometimes it is better to be good at what you are doing., such as working with Special Children, than it is to do something that everyone else can and wants to do. I sincerely feel that if you are Good at what you do with Children with Special Needs, (a career most people are not looking for in Psychology), then you should be proud that the Children have you working with them. since you like working with them as well as a professional, and are good working with their problems and issues. I feel that you are not seeing the total picture correctly, You had a good job working and enjoying working with Special Needs Children, and you Still are capable and educated enough to work with Special Needs Children. I think you are looking towards finding a validation for not being professional(or what warrants professional). Working with Special Needs Children does not only mean that you have to be professional, but you have to be a representative for the disabled as well. What part of Professional and advocacy did you miss Peg.? I am sure that is has taken you Years to learn what you do with children with Disabilities, and that you have no reason to condemn yourself or you stance in life for someone elses opinion, as long as you are qualified to do your job accurately and correctly, then that may have to be enough. Also are you speaking to the right people to determine your fate as being a Psychologist? Maybe they have missed something in your background such as EXPERIENCE, and you need an appeal in your case, to determine if All the Facts were presented in your case effectively and assuredly. Things can get missed Peg. Look into it agaim, if you can. It could make a difference in the outcome. Take care. Peg. Soidhonia

[pegasus]

((((( Soidhonia )))))Good to hear from you, I dont recall ever banging heads with you but that's by the by.

I have indeed spoken to the right people to do with my fate as a Clinical Psychologist. I sent an email to the Head of Clinical Psychology and spoke to someone at head office at the BPS. They confirmed that the doctoral level certs mean nothing and that I had not reached the right level. I will admit that I didn't state my case fully in the email and missed out much experience but thought that what I had provided was enough. It's seriously disheartening to be told that you are not good enough. I'm not going to argue with them about it.

As for working with children with special needs, of course I am a professional but not a clinical psychologist. I have a wealth of experience in that but felt I could do better. I wanted to be recognised for other great work I was doing but it's not to be. It may be that I am not seeing the total picture correctly but having been told by the powers-that-be that I will never be a chartered clinical psychologist, I feel it's time for me to accept that.

[Soidhonia]

Well Acceptance Peg is okay, as long as you dont Deny that you are capable and very well Educated and Experienced, to fulfill the needs for your Special Needs Children. You are one of the wisest and most determined People I have ever met when it comes to determining your Fate in life and a very good Inspiration to Psych Central. Your Purpose in life is very Profound and your experience here is very well appreciated no matter what the Powers that be Conclude. The End an Acceptance for you, may just be the Advantage in Your Life to Help Someone Else in Their Life. Hey Peg you didnt become a Legendary Wise Elder for Nothing Ya know. Take care Peg. Soidhonia

[pegasus]

Thank you (((((( Soidhonia )))))) I appreciate that.

[sabby]

My dear sweet ((((((((((((((((((( Pegs )))))))))))))))))))

I think I understand some of what you are going through. Most of my adult life, I dreamed of being a surgical and/or trauma nurse. I tried hard to find ways to go to school to get my degree. Unfortunately, life didn't offer up the opportunity that I could "see". So here I am at 53 years old and have been somewhat grieving over what I thought was my missed opportunity of being that nurse.

What I have come to realize in thinking through all this is that everything I have tried, everything that I have learned has a reason and is a basis for where I have ended up right here and now. I've also realized that even though we think we must move in one direction to accomplish something we really want.....it's just not in the plan, we were meant to move in another direction. But somewhere down the line, all the knowledge we have learned will be needed....and you will be glad that you have it!

I'm so glad you are getting your job back with the kids. I can't imagine a better person to be with them! I'm sorry that you are grieving through this.


sabby

[pegasus]

Thank you wise ((((((( sabby ))))))))

Yes, I too have the philosophy that what is meant to be is meant to be. I tried hard to change my path, kicking and screaming, someone please notice me! But it didn't work. There must be a reason it didn't work. My work was obviously not finished when I was working with the children and I'm now back on that path. I have had much grieve to cope with recently, I know my T (who died suddenly) would have been pleased that I'm back with the children that truly need me.

[(JD)]

My dear ((((Pegasus)))) my heart heaves for you in sighs because I so understand how you are feeling right now. I wish I could snatch those negative feelings away because that's all they are, negative feelings.

You are not a failure. Have you achieved what you wanted yet? No.
Have you gone backwards as you said? No.

You are still on your path, imo. Though it may feel as though you have returned to square one, working with the children, you are not at square one by any means. In fact, you will find that what you have learned along your path since leaving that area, is great knowledge and wisdom. We often revisit areas of our lives along the path to not only show ourselves what we have gained, but to allow us to continue to give to an area throughout our lives as we do grow. It is not going backwards. I know as humans we tend to think linear (most of us?) And that a successful life is one direction always forward, but in reality life isn't set up that way, and one must view it from a many more dimensional viewpoint than that. It is not back, it's still forward.
I wanted to be a clinical psychologist also. That wasn't my path. Counseling psychology was. I had a play therapy room at my office, because I so wanted to work with children. That wasn't my path either. But did my desires and studies and experience add to what I did along my path? Absolutely.
Are you finished yet? No. I know it feels as though all is lost, but it truly isn't. I hope you find that peace soon. You have completed that part of your journey for now...but it is still on your path imo. Working with children may be the door for you, and while you were already "there" before, you may have needed the knowledge and experience you gained, not only work wise but personally, before you could advance...and thus now you are there because you are ready to continue. Who knows where this will lead now? Who knows who you will meet, who will meet you as you do this work for now?
Throw yourself into it as though it is what your journey is for you now. I think it's part of your path.... Just as you were here before and then there, you can be here now and later there.

[pegasus]

Brought tears to my eyes, thank you for understanding. (((((((( Sky )))))))))

[darkrunner]

(((((((((((((((((Pegasus))))))))))))))))))))))))

You are not a failure.....You have touched many lives with your kindness and sensitivity. Working with children is admirable and to be commended. Those kids are lucky to have you, as are we here on PC.
Please be gentle with yourself......you never know what opportunities may be presented when you aren't even looking for them

[pegasus]

Thank you (((((( Ktgirl ))))))) Your words mean a lot to me. I am very low about the whole thing right now but I'm mindful that nobody can predict the future. Still putting one foot infront of the other.

[pachyderm]

It is very hard if you had a dream and think you lost it, or failed. But maybe the dream is not lost forever, or maybe there is something better coming along.

[pegasus]

Thanks (((((( pachyderm ))))))

I'm just waiting on the police checks and refs and all that and then I'll be back playing with the children. Not a bad life really.

[perkypower]

((((pegasus)))

[pegasus]

Thank you perky

[ECHOES]

Sounds like you will be bringing more than ever before to your work with the children. Therapy is many things. Lunch with a friend can be therapy. I think you will be a very therapeutic person to anyone who's life you touch, and I can't think of anything more important than working with children.

[pegasus]

Thank you ((((( ECHOES )))))

Maybe instead of looking at this as a step back I could look on this as a second chance to make a real difference to childrens lives.