[purplemystery]

I'm going to talk about this with my T this week, and I'm a little worried because my T knows so much about me... what if she thinks I would be incompetent? It's also in the back of my mind that my T knows how much I look up to her as a role model. What if she therefore thinks it's wrong that I want to become a T, guessing it is only because of her? I will admit, she has influenced me to follow this path. But it has always been something that I have considered and definitely not the sole reason. And it's also so awkward because I might want to say something like "it is said many times that people enter this field due to experiences in their own life" and this could obviously apply to her, though I don't want to insinuate that I think this is the case for her. Perhaps I'm over-thinking everything way too much.

Has anyone ever told their T that they wanted to become a T? Were they pleasantly surprised, flattered, did they seem to think it was inadvisable, or did they take care to disguise their true opinion?

[stopdog]

Why do you want to become a therapist?

I have never told the one I see that I wanted to become a therapist. I can't imagine me ever wanting to be one.

[Wren_]

I haven't been down that path before so can't say much but I hope the conversation goes really well

[Karrebear]

Yeah, I think you are over thinking this. I can't imagine her being anything but supportive in your career choice. She might even be flattered that she had an influence in your decision, if you choose to tell her that part. It really isn't uncommon for therapists to go to school to be therapists because of their past so even if you mention that I doubt she would think you are inferring anything in regards to her. She would probably just think of you and your past.

This is good that you found your calling. Be proud of that

I'm sure it will go fine. Many moons ago that was my plan actually. My therapist at the time was very supportive, even recommending several schools to me (ranked in order of his preference). I actually moved where I am now to be in range of the 2nd school on his list and started courses. Then I fell in love, I got married, I had 3 children . . . Life had other plans for me. But my T was entirely supportive and quite helpful actually. I'm sure yours will be too.

[anilam]

Even if I was mentally stable to become a T I'd never want to be one- so no that one'd never apply to me.
I think it depends on your reasons to become one- her influence being one is fine, shouldn't be the main though. I do understand why you're so nervous about it- it's stg along the lines of asking if you're good (i.e. stable) enough... Have you thought about what'll her opinion mean to you +ve/-ve one?

[Daeva]

I Have been in this situation.

And it went really well. She was very happy for me. She actually gives me tips and explains things to me a bit more, and since I'm in college for it and have a few years under my belt already it makes therapy a lot easier I think, when having to discuss her boundaries etc. She was really proud and happy for me. I think your T would be too.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, cause alot of T's have Mental illnesses as well.

[Daisymay]

Are you worried that she'll think you're looking for her approval? If it's something you've always considered as a career then you could run the idea past some friends first. Hopefully that will give you confidence to tell your T. I think I would say something like: I've always been interested in becoming a T and recently it's become clearer to me that it's what I want to do.

I think she'll be very interested and supportive.

[purplemystery]

Thanks for all your input everyone, and I apologize for taking so long to respond!

I had the conversation with her today, and it went okayy. I flat-out asked her if she thinks there is a reason why I shouldn't be a T. Because I want to make sure of that myself, and I feel like she of all people would know me well enough to say and would be able to form an opinion since it's what she does too. But she wouldn't give her opinion. She said that as a T she obviously has opinions about whether a person should enter the field or not, but she didn't think her opinion was (I forget how she phrased it exactly) useful? Or important? She did say that she thinks I should go after whatever I want, and that even if I decided I wanted to be a landscaper, she would support that. I guess she doesn't think that I should care what her opinion is, and I didn't push it. But I do care. And it makes me worried that she wouldn't say. But my T has very strong boundaries, and I think she felt that the conversation about my future wasn't the place for therapy. She was saying that what I was talking about sounded more fit for Career Services or my advisor at school.

anilam- I have thought about what my T's opinion means to me. I have self-doubts mainly because of social anxiety, and I often misjudge my abilities, so I guess I was hoping for her honest perception of my capability. I am also not that great at being assertive, so I wonder if it would be challenging for me to call out clients on things or something. I am not worried about my stability in being a T, as I don't actually have any sort of diagnosis and I am confident of my stability.

stopdog- Good question. I have a lot of reasons for wanting to become a T, and admittedly, part of it is that I have had a good experience with my own T and that has inspired me. But it's something that I've always considered, and I know that my career has to be centered on helping others in a direct way. Otherwise, I would not be satisfied. I am also very interested in human behavior and the power of the truths that we bury deep within us. I believe so much in the power of relationships to help others. It's hard for me to really explain my reasoning, but I hope this makes some sense.