The path to becoming a therapist isn’t easy. It can come with a lot of deep self-reflection, training and supervision. I didn’t grow up knowing that therapists existed, let alone knowing that I would want to become one. Today, I thought I’d share a little bit about how and why I wanted to become a therapist.
I have always been an intuitive and sensitive person. As a young brown boy, I often found that I didn’t have a lot of outlets to process my introverted side, that is until I invested in reading and creative arts. I spent a lot of time at home journaling, writing, researching and digesting all I could to make sense of the world and my perceptions of it. Writing, learning and music helped me have a safe space to process all those rich thoughts and emotions I was having about myself, those immediately around me, and the world at large. They were saving graces honestly. Given that, as you might imagine, my interest in psychology was pretty natural fit.
A Teacher Who Helped Inspire Me to Become A Therapist
It wasn’t until senior (or junior, I forget!) in high school that I became even remotely aware of therapists outside of Frasier (still an old favorite, by the way). I registered to take a college level psychology course in high school and it turned the course of my life for the better.
My teacher, Mrs. Barbara Romich, happened to be one the most entertaining, and nuttiest, people I had ever met. She was normal, quirky, transparent, creative…it was all there. As I reflect back, I realize that saw a lot of myself in her. I learned a lot over the course of my semester with her in psych 101 and that time in her class made me crystal clear on what my college plans were going to be.
The thing that struck me most about what Mrs. Romich exemplified was that she offered care and support for her students but not in this traditional, textbook way. She was just real. She was smart. Grounded. And most importantly she seemed to be herself. There was no pretense about her. I found that freeing. Afraid of entering a field where I wouldn’t be able to be authentically myself and express my creativity, I didn’t see many options outside of doing something super creative (like music). But, psychology (and therapy) offered me flexibility and creativity, all the while being a pretty damn cool way to help people live their best lives. Supporting people in this way is a purpose that I do be my best to cherish and honor everyday. Being able to be the person who I needed during the most difficult times in my life, for others, is something that’s very important to me. Therapy offers me the space to do that.
School and Beyond
I then went into college, majored in psychology and ended up at the prestigious graduate school Teachers College Columbia University where I was able to study Psychological Counseling alongside my friend and business partner Rachel. And, as they say, the rest is history!
Not everyone’s path is a linear as mine. Thankfully, I was able to marry my natural gifts and (I think) easygoing nature with a profession that could help people, which to me, is a worthy life’s purpose. I’ve been very grateful for the ability to work with my clients over the years and hope to continue to support many more for decades to come!
If you’re a mental health professional reading this, how did you decide to become a therapist?
To learn more about the services I provide in my work with clients please visit vivawellnessnyc.com.
Author: Jor-El
Jor-El is Co-founder of Viva Wellness and a foodie and film buff. He most often writes about mental health, relationships, food and mindfulness. When he’s not busy working, he typically can be found lounging or walking around NYC with his pup Nomi.
