Should I be a therapist?

amother

Amethyst

Wed, Aug 24 2016, 11:07 am

I'm 29 and decided that I finally want a degree. Problem is I can't make up my mind about a career. I want a field that helps people emotionally. I thought of mental health counselor or social worker. I'm leaning more towards mental health counselor because my hours could be more flexible eventually and the pay is slightly higher and the job is slightly more rewarding emotionally.

I thought of aiming higher, like psychology or psychiatry, but all those masters programs in my area are full time 9-5 and at this point we need the second income and I need to be available my family. Anyway at this point I'm still up to the bachelor's.

The only program I could find for something in this field (mental health counseling) that could work with my part time schedule was TTI. Is this is a good program? Will I be qualified?

For what it's worth I know a lot of psychology concepts. I read a lot and two different specialists I've seen (one was a psychologist, the other a mental health counselor) each suggested that based on my observations about myself and life in general, they think I have what it takes for a career in psychology. So I'm not just pulling it out of a hat, this has long been interesting to me I just haven't been able to pursue it for various reasons.

amother

Floralwhite

Wed, Aug 24 2016, 11:17 am

If you are thinking about becoming a therapist money should not be your primary consideration.

If it is don't go into it.A very successful therapist told me that had she realized beforehand how blinded she would be by not wanting to lose a client she never would have gone into it. And she did go into it only to help people.

You write you want to help people emotionally but there is an enormous responsibility involved. I also seriously considered becoming a therapist but decided that after 120 years I'd much rather be asked about being a bad bookkeeper than be asked about being a bad therapist.

amother

Pink

Wed, Aug 24 2016, 11:26 am

If you are going back to school mainly for financial reasons I suggest you crunch the numbers really well before you start.How much will the degree cost? how much is the starting salary? is it fairly easy to get a job? speak to others who have done the program. I repeat speak to a few others who have gone through the tti program. I would say your starting salary should pay double or almost double the cost of the degree. What extra costs will have because of school? babysitting? food? cleaning help? where will the $ to pay for that come from? when you do get a job iyh what babysitting costs will you have? night hours if you work in a clinic? does the salary allow for that and the loan repayment and a decent profit? I don't want to scare you off just go into this with you eyes wide open it'll be alot easier. I am back in college now at 26 and I feel very confident about my choice it makes it easier when the going gets tough to remind myself that this is a good decision and will benefit us in the future.

amother

Babyblue

Wed, Aug 24 2016, 11:45 am

I suggest you research a lot about the MHC degree.

I looked into it too, and from what I heard, most insurances do not accept it and therefore do not pay for it (with the exception of NY perhaps, if you're located there). When you're starting out, most clinics will prefer an MSW to an MHC.

These are my findings - you may find differently:

It is very hard to make a decent living as an MHC - you need to be exceptionally talented at marketing yourself until you require a reputation, because it's a newer field and not as widely recognized as an MSW.

I would suggest you look into getting an MSW. You can start with a higher salary, and it's a much broader field with so many more options. An MSW will open many more doors than an MHC.

ETA: I didn't see that you're talking about your bachelors. What I said still stands, but if you get a BSW you'll be able to complete an MSW much faster - you can get advanced standing and finish your masters in about a year.

amother

Jetblack

Wed, Aug 24 2016, 12:31 pm

amother wrote:

120 years I'd much rather be asked about being a bad bookkeeper than be asked about being a bad therapist.

True, but after 120 years I'd much rather be asked about being a great therapist than a great bookkeeper!
Obviously the logistics has to work for you, but therapists are in an amazing position of transforming people's lives for the better. It is such important work! Good for you!

amother

Amethyst

Wed, Aug 24 2016, 12:46 pm

amother wrote:

Thanks so much. Can you explain a little more about the difference between MSW and MHC? How does the day to day job differ? People told me MSW is mostly tons of paperwork and very little person interaction. I would like to focus most of my time on interacting with people and helping them.

amother

Amethyst

Wed, Aug 24 2016, 12:47 pm

octopus wrote:

just keep in mind that there will be a year of unpaid internship, where you are basically working (for free) but you need it to graduate school.

Yes this worries me. The alternative is to keep working at my $20/hour office job for the next 20 years. That worries me too.

amother

Amethyst

Wed, Aug 24 2016, 12:52 pm

amother wrote:

So the advantage of TTI is that the studying is on my own time, the tests are taken in the evening. So it works well with my current job (9-2:30) being available to pick up my son from playgroup at 3, being available to wait for my older sons bus at 4:45.

My sil went through the TTI program and she was very happy with it. She has a job now, two years after she graduated, as a special Ed director with a 6 figure salary. So it works for some and she inspired me to go for it.

How could I find out more about the pros and cons? Where do I look? Thanks!!

amother

Floralwhite

Wed, Aug 24 2016, 12:56 pm

amother wrote:

I know people whose lives were ruined by therapists. I never met anyone who felt that way about their bookkeeper. And if the OP has money as her main objective I don't see them giving her any major credit or rewards after 120 years

greenfire

Wed, Aug 24 2016, 2:22 pm

amother wrote:

I get it - your life was ruined by a therapist ... so don't go to therapy & don't become a therapist ...

but don't discourage a person who wants to help others by getting a degree

besides a bookkeeper who messes your accounting can cause great agita with the IRS

amother

Orchid

Wed, Aug 24 2016, 3:17 pm

amother wrote:

For an MSW it depends a lot on the kind of job you get. For example, in a hospital setting it is a lot of case management. Probably 80/20. When I worked at a mental health center it was 65% counseling, lots of case consultation, professional development, team meetings, and clinical supervision and yes paperwork. Paperwork is essential for recording and best practice. It's of course a part of practicing privately.
I am very very happy I got an MSW. It allows me to work full or part time or make my own schedule when practicing privately. I was able to get a job relatively quickly out of school
It can be very emotionally draining but is very satisfying to me.
Don't know anything about MHC so I can't weigh in on it

amother

Pink

Wed, Aug 24 2016, 8:32 pm

I will repeat speak to people who have done the program. I cant imagime you'll be making near a six digit salary with an msw and the cost of the degree especially since you don't even have the BS yet will be high. For some this may be okay. They're husbands are making more. They don't have to take out loans etc. For others not.