[CrazyLo]

How many here who happen to have a mental illness and are also seeking a degree in Psychology or Social Work?

I am going to school to become an art therapist. I'm still undergrad right now, but plan on going to grad school as well.

Interested to see how common it is for people with mental illness to go into this field.

[EmptyInside22]

I'm doing my degree in psychology. I'm kind of wishing I had done it in social work now as it has more relevance for jobs but ahh well. I'll just be glad to have a degree at the end of all this!

[AbsurdBlackBear]

I have a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology. Not necessarily planning on going into the field that as I realized by the last year in college that really work in Psychology isn't something I wanted to do, so I'll probably end up going back to college for something else.

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

Many of the social workers I have known, and I have known quite a lot, had signs of mental illness.

[CrazyLo]

Originally Posted by ManOfConstantSorrow

Many of the social workers I have known, and I have known quite a lot, had signs of mental illness.

True. I've been told many times that those in recovery from mental illness make the best therapists.

Oh, and I wish I had gone for social work too. I'm planning on getting an MSW though.

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

Some of these social workers later became counsellors and therapists.

[CrazyLo]

Yes...my therapist is a social worker. She got her degree in psychology and her masters in social work. She, like me, wishes she had gotten her bachelors in social work instead.

[amandalouise]

I am presently a LCSW (licensed Clinical Social Worker in other words fulling licensed to practice as a therapist) in the state of New York and am almost done getting my credentials for being a psychiatrist or in my place of employment calls it therapeutic psychiatrist (a psychiatrist that also supplies therapy services besides the customary diagnostic evaluations and medication management)

in my location it is very common for people of all walks of life to choose a career in which they their self have had problems in...example how does someone decide to become a teacher... because somewhere in their school years they had a teacher that was of great help to them with their problems of reading, writing, and other subjects. how does someone decide to become a nurse ...because at some point in their lives they were exposed to what a nurse does and got the help that they needed from that favorite nurse...

most if not all the employees where I work at a crisis center and hospital are there because at some point in their lives they had to deal with something that had to do with that profession.

I became a therapist because of the many great therapists I had in my childhood to help me through my problems, I liked what they did for me and wanted to help others with the same problems that I had.

its very common to hear a treatment provider is in that profession because they have had or presently have to deal with the mental and physical health problems that they want to work in.

mind you it takes hard work and many years (unless you have an opportunity to complete the course load required faster by combining resources, classes and degrees in which case you can complete a 2 year degree and a 4 year degree in 2 years and so on.... depending on the colleges availability of site to site classes, online classes and how many colleges you have access to at the same time)

keep up the great work.

[maxie154]

I just completed my B.A. Honours in Psychology and am currently working on grad school applications.

I think it is fairly common for those with mental health issues to seek a degree in psychology or similar field. I started studying psych because I wanted to learn what was at the root of my issues. These days my mental health is in a much better place and I've become enthralled in the field.

I think it's great that you're pursuing art therapy. My friend is almost done her undergrad and she loves it. It can do wonders for people.

[Travelinglady]

I have a Ph.D. in psychology and diagnoses of bipolar and generalized anxiety disorder. I knew something was going on with me when I went into psychology, but I wasn't diagnosed at the time.

Who can understand folks with mental issues better than those of us who have them and have been treated and/or are being treated?

Art therapy is wonderful!

[CrazyLo]

Thanks guys! I'm very excited to be an art therapist..a lot of school ahead of me (I only have 2 years of undergrad under my belt). But I need to get my s*** together first!

[Neurotic 2 the bone]

I fall into that category.

In fact I start university next week. Moving in this weekend. Going for a degree in a psychology with hopes of working as a therapist when the long journey is complete. Started going to therapy in February of 2014 for my own mental health issues and really enjoyed the process. So I began thinking about going back to university to become a therapist myself. It's a long road, especially as a mature student, but my life was lacking direction and I feel I may have finally found one.

[maxie154]

Originally Posted by Neurotic 2 the bone

It's a long road, especially as a mature student, but my life was lacking direction and I feel I may have finally found one.

Truly a wonderful feeling!

[CrazyLo]

Originally Posted by Neurotic 2 the bone

I fall into that category.

In fact I start university next week. Moving in this weekend. Going for a degree in a psychology with hopes of working as a therapist when the long journey is complete. Started going to therapy in February of 2014 for my own mental health issues and really enjoyed the process. So I began thinking about going back to university to become a therapist myself. It's a long road, especially as a mature student, but my life was lacking direction and I feel I may have finally found one.

That is definitely how I felt when I realized I wanted to pursue psychology...I felt like I had found my passion and calling. Growing up, I always wanted to be a writer...but I figure I can still write on the side. I also want to do illustrations for people on the side. I just have so much I can do with my life! I need to get better!

Glad you found your calling!

[Igenio]

I'm going to study psychology next year too. Can't wait for the fun to start

[Neurotic 2 the bone]

Originally Posted by CrazyLo

That is definitely how I felt when I realized I wanted to pursue psychology...I felt like I had found my passion and calling. Growing up, I always wanted to be a writer...but I figure I can still write on the side. I also want to do illustrations for people on the side. I just have so much I can do with my life! I need to get better!

Glad you found your calling!

Thank you. At least I think I've found my calling. Long way to go yet.

I too wanted to be a writer. Pursued it for a while but never went anywhere with it. Got a diploma in journalism and creative writing/news writing but never followed up on it. And I also wanted to be an illustrator. I still draw all the time. Portraits mostly. Helps me find parts of myself that I've lost. Very therapeutic.

[CrazyLo]

Originally Posted by Neurotic 2 the bone

Thank you. At least I think I've found my calling. Long way to go yet.

I too wanted to be a writer. Pursued it for a while but never went anywhere with it. Got a diploma in journalism and creative writing/news writing but never followed up on it. And I also wanted to be an illustrator. I still draw all the time. Portraits mostly. Helps me find parts of myself that I've lost. Very therapeutic.

It's very therapeutic for me as well. I LOVE creative writing! I can write for hours when I have the attention span and focus. But drawing I can get myself motivated to do quite easily. I draw portraits too....also cartoons, and I do my own little twist on zentangle. I have an art journal that I do collages and paint in. It's a really good, relaxing distraction.

[Neurotic 2 the bone]

Originally Posted by CrazyLo

It's very therapeutic for me as well. I LOVE creative writing! I can write for hours when I have the attention span and focus. But drawing I can get myself motivated to do quite easily. I draw portraits too....also cartoons, and I do my own little twist on zentangle. I have an art journal that I do collages and paint in. It's a really good, relaxing distraction.

Now you got me googling zentangle.

I also draw cartoons. Have a particular obsession with several characters I've drawn a thousand times over and over. But mostly photo-realistic portraits. I would love to start painting. It's the one art related thing I dont do. Until very recently I rarely, if ever, even colored in any drawing. I like black and white. But I have to admit color adds a certain pop. Depends on what youre drawing. Black and white is better for a photo realistic portrait. But color works for the more cartoonish light hearted stuff.

[CrazyLo]

Originally Posted by Neurotic 2 the bone

Now you got me googling zentangle.

I also draw cartoons. Have a particular obsession with several characters I've drawn a thousand times over and over. But mostly photo-realistic portraits. I would love to start painting. It's the one art related thing I dont do. Until very recently I rarely, if ever, even colored in any drawing. I like black and white. But I have to admit color adds a certain pop. Depends on what youre drawing. Black and white is better for a photo realistic portrait. But color works for the more cartoonish light hearted stuff.

Well I think you saw some of my colored portraits of dogs. It does make them more interesting...kind of cartoon-like. I have a friend who can draw portraits with just markers (no pencil, and the markers are actually almost dead). Hers look sooo realistic. Her art as a whole definitely inspires me.

I like turning characters from popular movies and shows into cartoons. And you should totally take advantage of the colored pencil! I LOVE colored pencils! They are so fun and relaxing.

I'd like to paint, too. I don't have a lot of painting experience. I'm hoping my friend might be able to teach me.

Originally Posted by CrazyLo

How many here who happen to have a mental illness and are also seeking a degree in Psychology or Social Work?

I am going to school to become an art therapist. I'm still undergrad right now, but plan on going to grad school as well.

Interested to see how common it is for people with mental illness to go into this field.

Ah, I am. I think I've finally settled on Social Work and want to work towards my Master's. Art therapy sounds wonderful!

I got a BA in psychology 25 yrs ago.

Oh, and I just started to water color. I had never done it before. Very relaxing.

[CrazyLo]

Originally Posted by ValentinaVVV

I got a BA in psychology 25 yrs ago.

Oh, and I just started to water color. I had never done it before. Very relaxing.

What type of job do you have now, if you don't mind me asking (if you are working)?

[Shaly78]

I'm in school for Psychology, but feel because of my story and diagnoses that I would be judged and discriminated against bringing up feelings of insuperiority probably my reason for not pursuing this as a career being not 100% decided. A therapist will need to exhibit confidence and I know everything I went through during my therapy will forever be a trigger for me....For that reason, I'm lost in what I want to do...I'm glad to read this post though for encouragement that those on here in spite of the diagnoses are pursuing their passion!

[Miswimmy1]

I'm an undergraduate currently pursing a degree in psychology with a biology emphasis. I do not want to be a psychotherapist- I think that would hit too close to home for me, as someone above mentioned. Instead, I plan on having a career in research, studying the biology and genetics behind psychological disorders. I know for sure that I want to make a difference and contribute to the world of psychology. But I think that my contribution will be through science in a lab rather than doing one-on-one counseling.

I think it's probably quite common for people who have struggled with mental disorders to go into a related field. I personally think that people who have firsthand experience with such disorders are probably better equipped to succeed in said field because they can personally relate and the chances are, they have some sort of passion or empathy for those who experience the same thing.

[CrazyLo]

Originally Posted by Miswimmy1

I'm an undergraduate currently pursing a degree in psychology with a biology emphasis. I do not want to be a psychotherapist- I think that would hit too close to home for me, as someone above mentioned. Instead, I plan on having a career in research, studying the biology and genetics behind psychological disorders. I know for sure that I want to make a difference and contribute to the world of psychology. But I think that my contribution will be through science in a lab rather than doing one-on-one counseling.

I think it's probably quite common for people who have struggled with mental disorders to go into a related field. I personally think that people who have firsthand experience with such disorders are probably better equipped to succeed in said field because they can personally relate and the chances are, they have some sort of passion or empathy for those who experience the same thing.

I agree people are better equipped. Also, researching psychology sounds great! I would be interested in doing that if I wasn't going into counseling. I love biology.