[SarahSweden]

Being here at this forum or at all reading or talking about therapy is for me of course interesting and supportive but it also brings me feelings of sorrow.

I find an interesting conversation, listen to a radio program about therapy or find an interesting book about therapy and it always partly gives me sad feelings of regret as I´ve realised I would really want to become a psychologist but I can´t.

I won´t get any more study loans and in Sweden there is only one education to become a T. It demands you study full time for five years and then if you want to have your own practise you have to study for three more years, half time. Besides that I´m also 30+ years of age.

I don´t have a job and I wouldn´t rely on an uncertain employment when having to focus on my studies. I guess this will be a sorrow for life...

Anyone else who experience this?

[AllHeart]

Why is it that you want to become a T? Is it to help people? If so, could you find a place to volunteer at that services people in some capacity? Also, self knowledge is very empowering. You can always read books, take on-line workshops (many free or inexpensive) to learn what interests you in this field, for yourself.

As for the age bit, 30+ is young!! My T is set to receive her Doctorate degree next summer at the age of 70! And I myself am in my mid-40's working towards my Master's degree. So school knows no age boundaries.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by SarahSweden

Being here at this forum or at all reading or talking about therapy is for me of course interesting and supportive but it also brings me feelings of sorrow.

I find an interesting conversation, listen to a radio program about therapy or find an interesting book about therapy and it always partly gives me sad feelings of regret as I´ve realised I would really want to become a psychologist but I can´t.

I won´t get any more study loans and in Sweden there is only one education to become a T. It demands you study full time for five years and then if you want to have your own practise you have to study for three more years, half time. Besides that I´m also 30+ years of age.

I don´t have a job and I wouldn´t rely on an uncertain employment when having to focus on my studies. I guess this will be a sorrow for life...

Anyone else who experience this?

I've thought in the past about being a T (or social worker--clinical or not), but friends/family said I was too sensitive and would become overly involved/affected by my patients. I was originally an editor, but wanted to do something to help people, so got a master's in health science, focusing on community health, last year (still looking for a job in that field!) But recently, T was commenting on some realizations I'd had during therapy and said maybe I'd gone into the wrong field. Like I had a good understanding of psychology. And she's agreed before that I'm very empathic. Sometimes I think I'd do well as a T because of that, plus I've been there and could relate to some clients. But then I think I might become overly involved or be upset if I couldn't help someone

Possible trigger:

or like if a client ended their life or something, I'd feel it was my fault

. So might be better that I stay on my current path.

I think about it quite a bit. The longer I'm in therapy, the more I am fascinated by how it works. I love all things psychology esp Jungian! My t has even told me a couple times that I have the makings of a good therapist, I just need the book-work. I'm 53, and would love to go back to school, but I'm scared to at this age so I understand! The other thing that stops me from pursuing it, is I see how much patience my t has had with me over the past (gasp) almost 4 years now, patience as in letting me figure things out on my own instead of jumping in and saying "Hello, THIS Art!!!" I do not possess near the patience that she has and I don't know that that can be taught! So I satisfy my passion for it by continuing to work on myself and read books and attend lectures at the local "Friends of Jung" society.

[PerryJeffJoeJimBob]

I could not ever even consider it. No telling how many boundaries I would cross.

Don't let your age be a barrier. If this is what you want to do, then you should seriously consider pursuing it. My therapist graduated in her 40's. And even though in a different major, I didn't graduate until I was 37.

And being older could possibly be beneficial.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I thought about it. I was 2 classes away from my AA in psychology. I already had my transfer papers ready for the CSU. Until I realized a few things.

One, I have bad boundaries. I would take on people's problems as my own. I wouldn't be able to remain neutral.

Two, I am still working on my issues. This is a biggie. If you cannot care for your own mental health, you have no business trying to treat others. That's like an overweight personal trainer. I don't want my T to be at risk of hospitalization. This is just my opinion. So since I can't care for myself, I can't take on the responsibility that comes with being a T.

And three, just because I've been in the mental health field for20 yrs and just because I have basic knowledge of psychology, does not mean I will make a good T.

I think it's great when people work through and overcome their difficulties. I admire them. I think they would be great Ts who will truly be able to relate an emphasize. It's like you're giving back to the world. But you have to hold youself accountable and really analyze yourself to see if this is the right thing to do. Therapy is not a game. Clients are real. And as we've all seen, people can get really hurt from therapy. But if you do believe that you can do it, then go for it

[Leah123]

My therapist didn't enter the field until her late 40s, tons of therapists chose the work as a second/later life career. I also didn't graduate until I was in my late 30s. It's not so uncommon. And I'm entering an entirely new career as well.

Also, there are tons of related careers I think you could pursue that don't require the same education but do offer similar opportunities to help clients throughout the social work field and others, worth considering if you'd seriously like to help others in this way!

[stopdog]

No, I do not. There are only a few jobs I think would be worse.
But I don't think age is a barrier. The second one I see didn't start going to school for it until she was in her 50s. She had an earlier career, and now does both.

[LonesomeTonight]

Don't let age hold you back--I got my master's last year at 37. And one of my former coworkers changed careers and became an RN at like 70--and that's a really physical career. (She retired like 5 years later, but still.)

[junkDNA]

i would not be a good therapist. i am interested in psychology, but i wouldn't want to be a T.

No. I absolutely can't imagine being a psychotherapist. I don't see how they manage to hold up under the barrage of emotions they're exposed to.

[JustShakey]

If it's something you really want to do, don't let your age or having to be creative about school fees stop you. I plan to go to graduate school (but not in psychology) as a 37 year old single mom with a special needs child who needs full time care. It's going to be hard as hell, but I'm determined.

[nottrustin]

I do but I also considered becoming a child therapist years ago. During my senior year of college I realized I was in the wrong program. I have a bachelors degree. I majored in management and minored in marketing but realized I really wanted to be a child therapist. However, I was tired of school and was engaged to be married. I am in my 40s and still wish I had continued with schooling. When my 8th grader graduates from high school I will seriously consider going that route.

[Cinnamon_Stick]

I have really wanted to be a T. The whole thing fascinates me. I could not do it however. I have no patience for anyone or anything. Other people's problems would be a burden for me. I think I am to mentally ill myself. I am glad I realize this though.

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[acceptance]

No..not at all. its an interesting subject..but i would never study it in so much depth.
when T tells me some theories and what not..i am like wow..u have it all memorized ..even the name of the person who coined it.
i find that boring.

[atisketatasket]

It's not too late. I got another advanced degree at 37. I don't use it, but I got it.

I'd be a very bad therapist. Not the kind that has no boundaries or betrays clients - I just wouldn't be able to connect emotionally with clients. Not all clients need that, but most seem to.

Life coaching, now...maybe that's the ticket!

[divine1966]

No. Nothing wrong with being a t but I love what I do and pretty much never wanted to do anything else.

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Having therapy has completely put me off training as a T myself. I think it is a very intense and powerful relationship that can really mess with people's heads if not done to a very high standard. I think doing it to this high standard needs a high level of commitment, I think a T really would need to clear out their life a bit to be committed to their clients ( depending on what their life is like to start with). I think of myself as something of a free spirit, I couldn't be this free if I was committing myself to being a T. I think a T needs to be very consistent and not prone to too many good and bad days. I'm very skeptical of some of the theory. I have both a degree and two masters in psychology and related stuff. My studies taught me to be very questioning of research and theories. I think there is a lot more to life than psychodynamic theory. There are a lot of other ways of looking at life and approaching a meaningful existence.

[luvnola]

No I wouldn't want that job. I used to think I might like it bc I used to be obsessed with psychology and therapy, and I even applied to a BSW program, but I'm glad I didn't. First off, I had too many issues myself that weren't anywhere close to being resolved. And now that I'm doing much better, I find that I have no patience for others and their problems. Not that I'm not empathetic, but I just don't want to hear it. I want to be happy and hear uplifting stories. I don't know how my earlier therapists stood me LOL

And age isn't a factor. My ex-t got her master's and then her doctorate once her kids got in to high school. I went back and got another degree (computer networking) when I was in my early 40's. Found school and studying to be easier at that age than when I got my first degree when in my 20's.

[Chummy]

No. I find psychology vey interesting, but I would never want to be a T. It's just not for me. I wouldn't like it.

[justdesserts]

I have a Master's Degree in Counseling and was licensed as a therapist, but never went far enough to go into private practice. At the time I finished my education, it was not a good time for my family for me to pursue that career. Now that six years have passed, I'd like to go back to school and get a PhD or a second Masters in Social Work bc it's more versatile. I'm so grateful for everything I learned in school and in practice and how that's help influence my own healing and ability to communicate with my therapists.

Before I started psychoanalysis i begun my journey in AA and treatment centre. I was as mad as a hare and on the pink cloud of early sobriety I believed I knew it all.
I done a first year counselling course and then I found the T I'm with now, 12yrs on and slowly the realization hit me. A: I was to sick to be a 'counsellor' and B: it really needs to be more than just holding your hand basic counseling. Depth therapy is where the gold lies and leave that to the highly skilled.
I lost my saviour complex soon after lol

[Crescent Moon]

It appears education works differently in Sweden. Is there no provision by which someone can change careers and get a different degree than they originally got? Sooo many people in the US do that. Since people are generally young adults when they get their first degree - it's not uncommon at all for them to figure out along the way that their interests/talents are different than they thought when they started out. In Sweden, is it just one shot and that's it?

[Myrto]

The education system in Sweden is different than the one in the US from what I gather so I understand it's not as easy for you to start over, despite what a lot of posters are telling you to do. Basically you can't afford it right? Aren't there evening classes in Sweden to become a therapist? I'm switching careers and that's what I'm doing: evening classes since I can't afford to attend classes full-time as I have to pay my bills.
Maybe a scholarship?
You should look into it if you really want to pursue being a therapist. After all you only live once and if that's your true passion, it'd be a shame to not pursue it.

Personally while I find psychology a fascinating subject, I could never be a therapist: I couldn't bear listening to people's problems all day. I also am not exactly patient.

[SarahSweden]

I would want to become a T or at least work within psychology because I find it rewarding and interesting. I would like to help people feel more hope and to help them get out of problems they think they would have forever.

Perhaps age isn´t the largest obstacle, but money definately is.

Originally Posted by AllHeart

Why is it that you want to become a T? Is it to help people? If so, could you find a place to volunteer at that services people in some capacity? Also, self knowledge is very empowering. You can always read books, take on-line workshops (many free or inexpensive) to learn what interests you in this field, for yourself.

As for the age bit, 30+ is young!! My T is set to receive her Doctorate degree next summer at the age of 70! And I myself am in my mid-40's working towards my Master's degree. So school knows no age boundaries.