The Best and Worst Decisions I Made as a Therapist

[@henryhealing444]

So much of this needs to be heard by almost grad. students ... it's gold!

[@updateapril]

Best: Trust gut Ask 'what's stopping me' Reframe failures as pivots Making decision to surround myself with great healthy people Decline expensive trainings when I am able to learn on my own (like grow your practice) Question/doubt anything that seems confusing or fishy Worse: Taking advice from 'experienced authorities' who 'know better' Hurrying takes me out of the ability to listen to my body for feedback (sleep deprived, hungry, under paid, etc) Saying Yes, because I was excited/felt special to have the offer vs it aligning with my goals/values

[@Endy467]

Great to hear these types of decisions made explicit and discussed. The hurrying one is so important to be aware of.

[@brittanyosborne3415]

Thank you for saying not to pay for expensive trainings! Its hard to listen to others in the business when they are trying to sell you something.

[@DRBG444]

Marie, thanks so much for your encouragement and sharing your truth!

[@elfeoneeveeroboqueen]

Love hearing these kinds of process-related career stories. There’s no one right path to becoming a therapist (or anything else!)

[@famnfren]

Huge thanks for sharing Marie! I love your authenticity. What works well for me is not seeing people's distress through lens of psychiatric diagnosis (I would ask my past self not to listen to the advice of the experienced professionals) cos DSM is largely constructed out of voting and consensus. Don't mind me saing this, Marie, your past experience of panic is absolutely not a disorder. It would be nice if we can shed light on the context of our distressing experiences as all these psychiatric labels are acontextual. Happy to hear your thoughts:)

[@kathydoyel1582]

Thanks for sharing! For me it’s been trying to keep pace with my classmates. Our journeys are not the same and I really want to enjoy what I am trying to do.

[@LondynBrielle]

Did you ever want to provide a well ess service like life coaching to your practice?

[@grumpyschnauzer]

All of these hit home and I’m in Associate status so thank you for sharing!! Finding decent opportunities in the Los Angeles area is brutal but I am reminding myself to take my time and use discernment. I’m curious if you offer services for therapists to pick your brain and ask questions related to “the path”?

[@Coach.Meredith]

I wish I could find healthy female therapist friends in my area 😟. And I agree about declining expensive trainings! Always follow my gut too from a very young age. ❤

[@Coach.Meredith]

Also, when I was in graduate school in 2000 to 2003, there were so many opinions about what I was supposed to do from professors. Mostly that I needed to teach or do research on the side. I did both briefly and while I loved teaching, clinical work was really where my heart was. I remember at this time in my late 20s feeling guilty that I wasn’t following everyone’s advice, but now I am so grateful because I have a thriving private practice and a life of flexibility and balance.