My *Imperfect Grad School Journey To Become A Therapist | Imposter Syndrome + Struggles

Hi everyone! My name is Deyanira Cavazos and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the state of Texas. In today's video I am going to share my messy and completely imperfect Grad School journey to become a mental health counselor. My hope is that this inspires others who feel scared or insecure about going to Grad school, or just helps normalize that it's ok to just survive it the best you can.
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[@theopkingdom3433]

I got m BA in 2000 and spent 19 years in maternal health & having a family. Returned to grad school in 2019 and have spent the last 2+ yrs working at it. In practicum now & studying for the NCE. Graduate in December!!

[@Keep_On_Growing]

Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you and really appreciate you sharing some of your journey and experience. Our stories are powerful 😊

[@kristengarcia3642]

I’m the first in my family to graduate from college and attend grad school, it ALSO took a quarter life crisis to decided what I needed and wanted to do with my life!!! 😭💀Let me tell you, I was at the biggest crossroads of my life before making my final decision. So glad I did it!!

[@Keep_On_Growing]

Yes, first gen!!!🎉👏🏼 😭 So happy for you Kristen! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@sarahurbanic4703]

As a counseling master's student that's halfway through my program, I appreciate these videos so much! Going to grad school and balancing work and having a social life on top of it is not easy at all. I love that we're having more of these conversations :)

[@Keep_On_Growing]

Thanks Sarah! I hoped this would at least resonate with a few people but I’m blown away by all of us who have or are currently experiencing some of these things. I love that we’re all playing a part in normalizing the grad school experience too. Thank you for watching and congratulations on being halfway through your program!😊

[@aleciamister3412]

Same here, Sarah.

[@zamandamartinez918]

Okay, we definitely need to connect.... my boyfriend passed away my last year of grad school.... I never imagined that I would ever meet anyone that could understand what it felt like grieving the loss of a loved one while trying to finish graduate school.

[@ByCourtenie]

I’m only halfway through the video but I wanted to thank you so much for sharing! I relate to your younger self so much as I start my Counseling Psychology Masters: not having a lot of support, having to find my education fully by myself, trying to figure this out in my own & having imposter syndrome with feeling like I don’t deserve to go to grad school. I recently got accepted into the first program I applied to & it still doesn’t feel real. There’s so many steps to go but “one step closer” is a great reminder. 💛💛

[@Keep_On_Growing]

I’m so happy for you!! 🎉Thank you so much for watching and for sharing what you’re experiencing. I think so many of us experience self-doubt in Grad school, but we definitely belong ❤️ Wishing you all the best with your first semester! You got this👏🏼

[@lavenderteal8485]

Thanks for sharing. I barely earned my bachelor's degree in 2010. My gpa was 2.1 so I figured I was horrible in college. Its been 13 years and I am going back for my Masters in Mental Health Counseling. I start next month. I am having those thoughts of not being good enough and repeating my mistakes from undergrad. I also have the financial concerns of earning a good enough income to pay the student debt back

[@kaylag5551]

Was it hard to get ur masters with ur low gpa from undergrad ?

[@southshorestudiosma]

I'm in the same situation. I almost failed out of college, stopped going for a year or two, then returned and did well my last year but my GPA was so bad because of it all of this. I'm applying for grad school for spring 2025. Did you have a tough time getting in?

[@ilianaramos1747]

thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us all, I just completed my first semester of college ever, fall semester started 1 week before my 32nd birthday. Im track to get my AA by 2026, then onward to my bachelors.. i cried a lot, Lots of questioning considering the years ahead.. but im grateful to have come across your video today. A hecharle ganas.. con pasiencia, con compacion, y con fe.. todo a su tiempo, si tu puedes, yo tambien ❤

[@VirgoLove17]

I'm currently applying to a clinical mental health counseling master's program and SO glad I found your page! Like you, I don't really have anyone to get advice or guidance from so your page has been so helpful!

[@Keep_On_Growing]

Hi Priscilla! So happy you’re here😊 Wishing you all the best with your applications, you got this!🎉✨👏🏼

[@aubreydylana]

Oh wow! The financial piece is what is stopping me from accepting a position in grad school. I have to let them know soon. I'm getting similar comments about it being a waste of time. I get inspired every time I speak to someone actually in the field.

[@melissawalker7705]

Hi Deyanira. This video helped me so much. I'm very late in pursuing my degrees due to many medical issues. It's taken me so much longer than other people. I'm graduating with my bachelor's in 2023/2024, and I felt so behind before watching this video, considering my age. I definitely want to pursue grad school afterwards and want to make sure that I'm in the right place mentally and physically for when I do. Your experience has given me the inspiration to keep trying no matter how bad it might get. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

[@Jwcounseling]

I’m with you in this one! I’m 44, just completed my bs in 2 years and now at Texas Tech in Grad school for counseling . I’ll graduate when I’m 46! Lol. Hopefully I can get a good 15 plus years of helping others.

[@hamdlillah101]

How do you like Texas tech?

[@Jwcounseling]

@@hamdlillah101 so far I’m loving the program and the school

[@southshorestudiosma]

I'm 42 and applying for next year... scared but excited! Thanks for sharing!

[@merylanda7137]

Thank you so much for sharing your academic journey and your grad school experience. Your life is so inspiring!

[@MilkTeaASMR]

I really loved hearing you story. It’s very motivating as i start applying for grad school in counseling.

[@Paigey12386]

Thank you so much for this video! I’m 36 and considering going back to school for my bachelors and masters to be a therapist (long road ahead 😅) but this was so nice to see someone’s actual path and hear their struggles! I appreciate you so much!

[@LilyJCLove]

Thanks for sharing your journey! I’m watching and half way I had to stop and jump on the comments section to congratulate you for your persistence to keep moving forward regardless of the fears and imposter syndrome 👍

[@Keep_On_Growing]

I appreciate that so much! Thank you for watching. ☺️

[@melb0416]

I love your videos! So helpful! I really would like to know about the debt process and what you have been doing to minimize your debt.

[@yulissatijerina]

Thank you for sharing your experience! It has really helped me in my grad school journey 😊 I love your videos 💗

[@Keep_On_Growing]

Thank you Yulissa! ❤️☺️ That means so much!

[@laurarrrr4745]

Thank you for sharing your story- I am starting my grad program in 2 weeks!!!

[@keeskorner]

Imperfect grad school journey is the perfect name. I am now crawling to the finish line and you are one of the reasons I am planning to start filming my journey on social media.

[@Wiiniihvlog]

I'm excited to see more content from you !😍 Support from France

[@Keep_On_Growing]

Thank you for being here!❤️😊

[@ezrinoe6072]

I just graduated with my BA in psych this May and you have no idea how incredibly helpful your videos are. I also had an appointment to go to cosmetology school, struggled finding a job, considered never going back to grad school, and it's only been 2 months post grad! Finding your channel has been so helpful and comforting.

[@Keep_On_Growing]

I’m so happy you’re here!🎉👏🏼 Thank you for watching and for letting me know.

[@felicia111888]

Love the video. I feel these same things. Im I’m my 2nd year of clinical mental health counseling (grad). Im the first one in my family to graduate high school so what I’m doing is amazing in those terms, so I completely understand this imposter syndrome feelings! A lot of times I don’t feel good enough or smart enough, but I’m doing things to fight those feelings! Love your videos and thank you for sharing. I tell myself all the time…. 1 step closer. Keep up the good work!

[@Keep_On_Growing]

Congratulations on your 2nd year!!!🎉👏🏼 And thank you for sharing your experiences, we’re definitely not alone in feeling this even though sometimes it can really feel like it. So glad you’re here☺️

[@mjsoskie]

I remember starting my MSW in Spring 2020 & then Covid happened. It was such a crazy 1st semester of grad school that I thought I was not gonna make it. I can relate so much! Thank you so much for sharing! Un abrazo 💜

[@Keep_On_Growing]

Milca I am so proud of you!! 🎉✨👏🏼

[@Helpful_Healer_Ash]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey with all of us. I am a current intern and failed out in 2020 as a result of COVID-19, I am not returning with the hopes of being able to pursue my dream to help others.

[@jessicaeachus1115]

I can relate to so much of this!!! First gen college student has posed a lot of challenges in terms of not having someone in my family to go to for help. I also had extended family (even one who IS a therapist) tell me I shouldn’t go into the field, and for a while it really discouraged me. But I’m grateful for that experience because through all the challenges I feel like it just further confirmed what I want to do and why I want to do it 👏🏻

[@Keep_On_Growing]

I’m so freaking proud of you for doing what you wanted!🎉 Thank you for sharing your experience. Ay the unhelpful family comments are so real. It’s so sad not to have the support of those we want or need but here’s to continuing to build the community support along the way😊 Rooting for you girl!

[@andreamedina451]

I just want to say thank you for being so vulnerable about your journey. I was divinely guided to your video after experiencing my first rejection from grad school. Impostor syndrome is real and I am so proud of you for going forward with your dream. I’m now preparing better for my second application round and have hope I will get accepted this time around. “One step closer” -so beautiful, thank you 🙏🏽

[@Keep_On_Growing]

Hi Andrea! Thank you so much. I’m so glad you’re here and that it resonated with you. I’m so proud of you for continuing with your grad school application process, I’m rooting for you!!❤️

[@alexandranavarro1954]

I’m thinking of taking the plunge and making a change from a career in teaching to a career as a therapist.. and I’m also really struggling with feeling like my resume isn’t good enough to even apply to grad programs. Impostor Syndrome is real. Thanks for sharing your story! It gives me a little more courage to move forward 💛

[@Keep_On_Growing]

I’m so proud of you for moving forward with applying and pursuing what you want❤️ Trust, that is amazing experience because I’m sure you’ve seen firsthand how mental health and disabilities/differing abilities show up for students and how it impacts their daily living. Don’t sell yourself short on your applications, you got this!!!🎉👏🏼

[@aleciamister3412]

I'm in graduate school working on my Masters in counseling. I'm about to start fieldwork so this video was perfect. Thank you.

[@Keep_On_Growing]

So glad it helped! Good luck with your internship🎉👏🏼

[@janethomas4379]

Can you please make a video on how to find a supervisor and apply for jobs before obtaining licensure? The process in TX is so confusing

[@Keep_On_Growing]

Saving this for a future video, thank you! Completely agree, it can be really confusing.

[@KassyCGarza]

Yes to this^^ I’m based in htx and I want to work in a hybrid environment post grad-licensure but I honestly don’t know how to go about finding a supervisor/job during my practicum and internship

[@PrayThenHustle]

I am a psych undergrad my college offers a masters in psychology but it doesn’t lead to clinical …….. so now I will need to transfer to a different college that is at least APA certified if I’m going to do the masters I might as well make sure it’s at an accredited college

[@tomv4876]

❤

[@oscarsalazar6587]

I'm planning on going to utrgv aswell for the counseling program. Do you have an estimate amount of the cost?

[@reemillustrates4718]

Thank you for sharing your story! I’m definitely scared of being a financial burden on my parents and i’m also apprehensive of the idea of student debts. If you dont mind me asking, how long after grad school do you think you’ll he able to pay back the student loan? Are the salaries for beginner counselors where you live encouraging?

[@Keep_On_Growing]

Tbh I’m still hoping student loans will be forgiven because I still need to pay off mine. There is a student loan forgiveness program for mental health professionals but I didn’t want to work community mental health for years so I tried applying for the grants my university offered. Being in dept was my big reason for not wanting to go to grad school but I’m doing what I love. It helped to pick a grad school program that was more affordable compared to others. I hate the education system in the US and the financial burden it places on students which is why I made this channel so hopefully others can go in with more knowledge and a plan in place. The only thing I wish I would’ve embraced more early on was community care and letting others help me more, understanding that we are not burdens because we are trying to do these things to give back to our communities and deserve to be helped. I wish someone would’ve told younger me that that is truly how we make it through.

[@Keep_On_Growing]

And again tbh unfortunately no, unless you work community care the salaries are not liveable as a counselor associate which is why as soon as the laws changed I launched my own private practice and I’m really trying to spread awareness because employers need to do way better. I share what I make and that whole process in more recent videos.

[@ashleyscott2294]

I am thinking of going into grad school for counseling and I am just curious if you get paid during your internship?

[@Keep_On_Growing]

Hi! The practicum and internship is unpaid which is rough if you you have to work at the same time tbh, but you can always ask the grad school program if they can allow you to count hours if you’re working as a casemanager/facilitator since you are providing direct therapeutic treatment. It’s up to your program director but it’s definitely worth asking.

[@ashleyscott2294]

@@Keep_On_Growing thank you! 😊

[@abbyr.2602]

Thank you so much for sharing your story ❤️ 🥹I did not expect to get so emotional, but it felt like you were telling my story. The fear, stress, anxiety, guilt, trying to balance everything, taking longer than expected… all of it… I can relate so much. My family’s support meant everything and when things got tough, they cheered me on and they are my “why”. I’m in grad school now pursing my MSW at 32. I’m the first person in my family to go to grad school and it’s been such a journey. I just finished my first semester and was ready to give up (imposter syndrome hit me hard) but my husband and family didn’t let me, thank God lol. Thank you for being an inspiration! Adelante amiga!! Un abrazo grande ❤️🙌🏼 And to anyone else going through this and losing hope… you can do it!! And you’re not alone ❤️🙌🏼 If you don’t have a supportive family, l’ll share with you what my parents always tell me “échale ganas y adelante amor”. ❤️🙌🏼 know that there is a family out here of other first gen Latinos cheering you on!!! 🎉💪🏼🙌🏼