Why I Became A Therapist

I really love being a therapist, but whenever I get asked how I decided to become one, my answer always seems to change. I think that’s because my path was not as clear-cut and straightforward as I would like to believe. Anyway, check out the video to here about how I fell in love with psychology, my journey into mental health, why I find counseling fulfilling.

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[neurotransmissions]

So the other thing that felt weird about the “contrived” story at (enter time) is that it felt a lot like I was bragging. Let’s be honest, I had no idea what I was doing and it’s amazing to think about the difference between what I *thought* I wanted to do and what I actually want to do. Being a therapist is a job just like any other job. It can also be a calling or a vocation. I’m thankful that I actually like doing my job and I think it called to me.


On another note, this may be the first video where we’ve never used After Effects, which is sort of wild. If you liked it, please let me know. It’s a whole lot easier to do videos like this, but I understand if it’s not as entertaining or interesting. Anyway, thanks for watching!

[SeanTheDon]

Beautiful video. The raw story telling was refreshing. I have a finance background but can relate to wanting to help people change, that’s the same thing that drives me.

[rickharold]

The world always needs more good therapists! Glad you like it! Thx for sharing

[AJo-wdni]

It was excellent timing for me to find this video. I'm about to graduate with degrees in English & psychology & I'm about to start the grad school application process & I have lots of doubts. It's incredibly good to hear someone say that we're all just winging it-- it's easy to look at "real" grown-ups & wonder why I'm not like them, but maybe we all have more in common than what it seems superficially. Thanks for posting such an authentic video

[bann]

Appreciate the sincerity in your path to where you are. People like simple narrative but knowing how other handles doubts and external circumstances is what actually help someone to navigate through life. Thanks for taking the time to make the video!

[JustJo]

I really relate to a lot of the things you are saying, thanks for sharing! Talking about your doubts really stuck with me. I've known I (probably) want to do psychology since I was fifteen or so. I'm only just getting around to studying it ten years later, after finally realising that I'm going to have doubts, and may end up changing my mind, and that's okay.
You seem very self aware and genuine. And your channel rocks!

[cassbellydance]

I’ve been considering this profession because, like you, I’ve always been quiet, introverted, and a thinker. I have a great deal of empathy for people also. I enjoy listening more than talking and have an interest in using language to manipulate thoughts and alter behavior. Not sure if that makes a good therapist though. Do you know anything about the for profit schools that offer these programs online?

[Positivemindset-]

Thank you Micah! I am struggling making my motivation letter for a Masters in Counselling program sound genuine and your video was super helpful. Love the simplicity and authenticity behind your video. All the best in your career!

[kushagrajha]

Hi. Sorry if this is too long; I'm pouring my heart out.

I'm in 12th grade right now.
For the last 3 years I've known that I need to see a therapist and I've been trying to, so far unsuccessfully. I remember being generally dissatisfied since I was 9, but sometime when I was 11 lockdown started and it turned my life upside down.
It was then that I started reading and watching a lot about philosophy and psychology. It started out as a way to try and understand what I was going through. The early stages were, admittedly, self-diagnosis (which I've since learnt is a bad idea) but from there my love for the subject really bloomed. I wasn't going to do online therapy though because that would need me to be home and I can't be in peace with my family around.

When lockdown ended (I was naïve and delusional then) I decided that I'd fix myself and then help everyone else who went through what I did, or just everyone in general.
I used to be so sensitive and nurturing when I was younger, but I'm not like that anymore. It's like I'm scared to show care or concern. I had to force myself just to admit it and say this.
That was 3 years ago when I was 13 and now I'm 16, but I'm still struggling to find help and I still thought that was what I was going to do.

But this video made me reconsider. I still love the subject but I'm not sure whether I should do it, despite how much convincing it took for my mother to let me take psychology last year. I wanted to postpone seeing a psychologist till college, but I really just can't wait anymore. In the next 1-2 years I should probably be in college, but I have no idea what I am doing or will do with my life.

[mollydugan]

Thanks for this. The way you talked about doubt really stuck with me.

[psychesempra]

Good video, and a question I’ve asked myself a lot. This question is addressed in a roundabout way in the book “Voices from the Field, ” but I think it’d be great to get perspectives from people in a variety of fields. I’d love to see a video in which this question is asked to social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, addiction counselors, etc.

[LukeTheArtist]

In high school, I had a teacher leave that exact phrase ("still water runs deep") in a comment on one of my report cards. It always stuck with me.

[JohnMartinez-smsk]

Your in the right profession, you seem very happy, relaxed and comfortable with everything your saying. I like listening to your thoughts and explanations. Money is not everything in life.

[isaiahreno]

I'm in school to be a therapist and sometimes do have doubts at times, even though my mind is very well set up to be one. I'm years away from my master's. In 2023, it became a very strong passion, and finally started community college in August of 2024.

btw I love Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers

[zachevan]

I truly appreciate the causal atmosphere you created to help most of us who are layman be relaxed and understand your profession
better.
Did you know the origins of enthralled?
In Middle English, enthrallen meant "to hold in thrall." "Thrall" then, as now, meant "bondage" or "slavery"; it comes from an Old Norse word, "thraell, " which is probably related to an Old High German word for servant. In the 16th century, the first known figurative use of "enthrall" appeared in the following advice, translated from a Latin text by Thomas Newton: "A man should not . . . enthrall his credit and honour to Harlots." But we rarely use even this sense of mental or moral enslavement anymore. Today the word is often used in its participle form, "enthralled, " which sometimes means "temporarily spellbound" ("we listened, enthralled, to the old woman's oral history"), but more often suggests a state of being generally captivated, delighted, or taken by some particular thing.
thought it was interesting.

[Judymontel]

At about 10:30... um... really good boundaries - more like REALLY GOOD boundaries!!!! I'm a very empathetic person and a good listener and I'd be a dreadful therapist because by nature my boundaries are very porous.
Also, I think that as a therapist you do have to be very comfortable - even happy - with being quiet, with not sharing things verbally yourself. The confidentiality side of things means you hear a lot of difficult things that can be difficult to continue living with, so you need to find ways to support yourself through that if talking things out is not an option and have other means of expression and letting off steam. You can't be vent to your friends about a bad day when it was a bad day because other people were having a bad time and that information is confidential.

[williamsmith]

Great video. Thank you for the heads up. How can one with a mater degree in educational psychology transition to a mental health therapist ?

[MrLimaGui]

But in your point of view, does a therapist need to be completely free of mental issues, because I think only a certain amount of people would be able to be this way (they would have to have economic stability, good home and family, etc.)? In that case, psychothic people wouldn't be able to become therapists? I'm really not judging or trying to be obnoxious, Im just trying to understand. I'm a psychology student in a foreing country and I have these doubts. Are therapists people who never go through panic attacks, periods of sadness or lose faith in the future?
I would love it if you answer me, I really like your videos!

[MiamiVegHead]

Just came across this video & channel! 🐈 🧬
Very inspiring & a unique job well done (esp. w. the special attn & unconditional patience you give to your cats during both classical + operant conditioning).
I have both a Psych degree & 2 cats of my own, so I could really appreciate your content already.
Thanks! Keep it up, man.
BTW, do you offer online therapy sessions?

[nothingmuch]

Thats really motivating. What have you specialised in your masters?