[atisketatasket]

A similar question comes up sometimes, usually "would you want to be a therapist?" For this, never mind whether you want to be one or are training to be one, do you think you would be a good one or not? And why?

I would not be a good one because of difficulty making emotional connections with others and I'm also pretty sure that I could not be patient with clients all the time.

I answered maybe. My t told I have the makings of a therapist, just need the book work. But I think I would need a whole lot more patience than I have, and they can't teach me that. Honestly though, if I could somehow learn patience, I think I would.

[bounceback]

I might have become a lot of people come to me with their problems and I am pretty nonjudgmental but on the other hand I have issues that I would need to get a better handle on first.

[stopdog]

I could be excellent at acting such a role, but I would despise it. I can sit there and state the obvious, I have excellent boundaries and I don't over-react to tales of woe.

[nottrustin]

According to some of my coworkers (RN and Lcsw's) yes. The other day a client called and was panicking. I was able to talk to her and calm her down...They asked me if I ever considered being a T because I would be awesome of it...and not just because of that one example. So I talked to T that nigh as it has been in the back of my mind for a while. She told me she agreed as I can remain calm, am empathetic, and I am genuine...however my fear is that I take on other people's problems and worry that I couldn't leave it at work.

[Ad Intra]

Maybe, but I need to fix myself first

[Cinnamon_Stick]

I said no. I have wanted to be a therapist but I have my own mental illness and I have no patience for anything or anyone. Plus I can see its a very hard job.

[pbutton]

It isn't a profession that appeals to me. I would be bored and cranky and impatient. Not a good fit for me at all.

I don't understand other people and am not somebody people turn to with their worries, ever. And I would hate the job. So no, I'd be a terrible T.

[Myrto]

Originally Posted by pbutton

It isn't a profession that appeals to me. I would be bored and cranky and impatient. Not a good fit for me at all.

Same. I like the theory but I would make a terrible therapist.
I'm empathetic but I'd be bored out of my mind as well as annoyed when I see patients repeating the same destructive patterns.

No. For one, there is too much work involved with obtaining a degree in psychology. I don't have the focus required to go through that much schooling especially if the end result isn't worth the effort to me.

Even if I somehow did get a degree in psychology and became a licensed therapist, I wouldn't be able to deal with the clients without eventually losing it. It's not that I have any issues with helping people, it's simply that I find socializing and dealing with clients/customers all day draining and wouldn't be able to handle it.

Not to mention, one of the primary things that interests me when choosing a career is pay to work ratio. Yes, therapists make pretty good money, but there are fields that pay much more for a fraction of the work.

[brillskep]

For me, being a good therapist is a matter of growth, learning, and development. While I realize this job may be too cognitively or emotionally taxing or incongruent for some people, I think that in many cases it's a matter of the point in life where one is. For me, it's a journey in the discovery of self and other.

What orientation of therapy are we talking about?

My T said that my curiosity outweighs any desire to protect myself and that will stand me in good stead as a therapist.
I think I have a good enough understanding of the dangerous and thoughtless things a therapist can do to harm a client (having been there myself) and I'm naturally empathic and patient. Time will tell I suppose!

No. I don't even visit the Depression forum here on PC because I find it too depressing - let alone hearing from people in real life.

Originally Posted by Breadfish

No. I don't even visit the Depression forum here on PC because I find it too depression - let alone hearing from people in real life.

LOL. Sorry this made me laugh.

Originally Posted by _Mouse

LOL. Sorry this made me laugh.

I meant depressing. x)

[Chummy]

No, my social anxiety would make it hard to have a good contact with people. And I can be judgemental about certain topics where I have a strong opinion on. So I could be a good T to some people, but I would be a bad T to other people. I'm a good listener though.
But I wouldn't want to be a T. I've been in therapy many times and I really wouldn't like to be a T.

[atisketatasket]

Originally Posted by _Mouse

What orientation of therapy are we talking about?

I didn't have any in mind. Is there one in which you would be better than others?

[divine1966]

I think I would.

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[spring2014]

I would love to be a therapist. im studying to become a therapist cuz of my experiences being a client has given me enough of a background to become a therapist .









Diagnosis: Anxiety and depression
meds: Cymbalta 90mgs at night
Vistrail 2 25 mgs daily for anxiety prn
50mgs at night for insomnia

[harvest moon]

I answered a big NO, because even though I have people I hardly ever talk to coming to me, opening up and asking for advice, and although I consider myself to be very insightful and intuitive when it comes to emotions etc, I have zero patience, and I mean ZERO. When I want somebody to understand smth, I just want to open his head and put the knowledge in! So definitely lacking the patience. On the other hand, I love studying the human nature in theory. When I was in law school, the only thing I liked was forensic and criminal psychology.

[ejayy78]

I answered maybe. I'm going to graduate with a degree in psychology next year and when I started school, I wanted to be any therapist. I started therapy in hopes of getting help with my occasional need to self harm because I was terrible at managing my anxiety and stress, and it's turned into a several years long experience (I ended up uncovering family crap from my past) that I didn't originally expect, for the best though. I have a very long way to go still, but knowing my degree path, my T says that one day I would make a great therapist. I answered maybe because while now I know from the client's perspective how much work goes into therapy, I still find the hard work beneficial and life changing. I want to be able to give back in the way that my T has helped me change my life. I still have a long way to go though!

[Ellahmae]

I plan on making a good therapist. I have a wonderful t that I have learned so much from and hope to be able to follow in her footsteps to give others a comforting, safe, or whatever type of place they need to heal in whatever capacity they need.

[AnxiousGirl]

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

A similar question comes up sometimes, usually "would you want to be a therapist?" For this, never mind whether you want to be one or are training to be one, do you think you would be a good one or not? And why?

I would not be a good one because of difficulty making emotional connections with others and I'm also pretty sure that I could not be patient with clients all the time.

No way. I'm terrified of talking to people I dont know so I doubt I can give good advice to those in need. Plus, struggling with anxiety myself, if I hear some sad stories from others ill break down in tears. Accounting will be perfect for me !