[ThingWithFeathers]

I've been thinking about what sort of job I want to have in the future. I have a degree in social work but, due to my past experiences and current mental health issues, I have not practiced in the field. Instead, I have been doing policy, research and social media work for a small NGO until I got myself sorted out. Since starting work with my t, I have realised again my eagerness to pursue a career in counselling. I haven't been able to tell my t this, because I'm embarrassed to be aspiring to such a career and because I want to work in her specific field (trauma).

In session we spoke a bit about my possible future work, and I wasn't able to tell her that I would love to work in her field - it's just a painful thing for me to admit to her. I can tell my friends, but I couldn't say it to her. I finally built up the courage to let her know, albeit by email! So I have told her and am now feelings awfully nervous about it. What will she think? Will she find it a silly idea? idk ... guess I'll just have to wait and see

[Lauliza]

I was embarrassed to tell my T and pdoc, I thought they'd be thinking "uh oh!" But they iare both really supportive about it. My pdoc has helped me with an asignment and asks about my class work frequently. My T has said I can always use her as my therapist for work related issues since I won't be seeing her as frequently for my own "stuff". I'm sure your t will be thrilled for you and encourage it! Lots of clients become therapists, it's a lot of the inspiration!

[ThingWithFeathers]

Thanks Lauliza. Yes, it is truly embarrassing! That's great that you're t offered for you to see her for work related suff. It's good to hear a positive experience like yours, makes me feel better. I just hope my t doesn't think negatively of my desire to work in the field. Waiting to find out her response is a little bit hard, but I couldn't have said it in person.

[ThisWayOut]

I'm glad you told her. I have a feeling she will not be harsh or upset about it. Many clinicians go into concentrations that mean something to them in some way... one of the best t's i saw had a freely-admitted trauma history. He used it to relate to his clients and also "prove" that meaningful recovery is possible...
what about telling t that you also want to be a trauma t causes the embarrassment?

[ThingWithFeathers]

You know, it's hard to put my finger on it. Perhaps I'm worried that she'll think I'll never be able to do what she does or maybe it's just a general sense of vulnerability to judgement. With her knowing me so well, and knowing my past, she's ib a good position to judge how I would go. I'm not a confident person, so a lot of self doubt creeps in.

[ThingWithFeathers]

Maybe it's more precise to say that I think I'm embarrassed by how it looks. She has definitely influenced me and played a huge role in my life, but there are other reasons I want to pursue a career in the field. She's just reminded me why I studied in the first place AND is a positive role model for me.

[HazelGirl]

Is it embarrassing to admit she has an impact on you?

[ThingWithFeathers]

I don't know why, but yeah - it's really embarrassing. Makes me feel like I'm bit pathetic for having similar aspirations or something. And, on the one hand I want her to know how much she's influenced me on the other I feel scared about her knowing how I feel and how much I admire her.

[HazelGirl]

I really get that. I love psychology and would love to study it more in school, but I'm afraid of mentioning it for the same reason as you. It's nerve-wracking to admit she has impacted me and I feel almost like its "cheesy" or "cliche" to admit that I am interested in helping others because she has helped me so much.

[JustShakey]

Yes to all the above! I'm embarrassed to admit how interested I have become in psychology - I'm an analytical chemist, though I've been out of the field for bit... Kids, life yanno... Anyhoo, I love seeing the parallels between the lab and the therapeutic process. I'd love to study it... Researcher at heart... Embarrassed to admit this to my T though. I think I feel like a kid trying to play at grown up stuff or something...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ThingWithFeathers]

It's weird, because if I was student and wanted to be a teacher I wouldn't hesitate letting the teacher know, and I imagine the teacher would be thrilled that a student wanted to follow in their footsteps. Golly gosh, this wait is difficult!