If you are interested in helping people with their mental health disorders (and yours), then this article is for you. See how this can help you in many ways, and if you are truly passionate about making it a career.
Do you want to be a psychological counselor? It was my dream to refer clients and families with emotional and mental health needs to psychotherapy and become a counseling psychologist to improve lives.
Because of that, my initial goal was to be able to diagnose and treat people with mental illness by becoming a professional counseling psychologist, or a psychologist specialized in counseling. But I never believed it to be that easy. So here’s how I became one.
Here’s more about my lifelong wish to be a counseling psychologist. And if you are a fan of the topic of counseling psychology, psychiatry, or psychological testing, you must continue reading to learn more about jobs around this field. For me, anything in psychiatry, counseling psychology, or how they work is quite interesting!
However, when I was only nine years old, I got diagnosed with Lyme disease, which I most likely got from ticks as I always played outdoors back then. It was just part of my developmental routine growing up. You should know that having Lyme disease meant that I would be immunocompromised for the rest of my life. The condition had a developmental effect as it made me susceptible to any bacterial or viral infection and needed psychological counseling. Even without my parents or my doctors telling me about it, though, I could tell my dream of becoming one of the best pretty much ended when the Lyme diagnosis arrived.
The Counseling Psychologist – Counseling Through A Psychologist For Depression
Counting out my psychology dreams made me sad, but hey, “I could have many years to dream another dream. I could give up my love for counseling then.”
In high school, I saw a surge of depressive disorders among my schoolmates. However, others could use psychological depression as an excuse to get away from certain activities or go with the trend. Many do this to avoid developmental activities or educational duties. A clinical psychologist and mental health counselor family friend (who has a state license) told me this once.
If a student could say that she was feeling lonely or hopeless or sad, this counseling psychology expert could not take the shortcut and diagnose the student on the spot. After all, a shortcut is not the right way to treat psychological disorders. Counseling psychology requires giving particular attention to the kid and sometimes even visiting students or patients at their houses to see if they were genuinely depressed or acting up. This is an important task in counseling psychology, and this professional also knows it.
When Do You Need A Counseling Psychologist? Can Counseling Really Help?
Do I need therapy? -Yes, I needed counseling psychology myself and wanted to talk to one.
My parents said that during the pandemic, many people needed the help of this specific health professional to help them care for their psychological well-being. They turn to a clinical psychologist as well, as they mostly help with these things. The educational and practical background of both clinical and counseling psychologists help them help people address problems effectively.
I was alright during the first few months, but mental health finally caught up with me when the sixth month came.
Counseling From A Psychologist – Physical Effects Of Counseling
I told the counseling psychologists that I felt physical effects, as I was lethargic and too lazy to get up every day; some days, I would not even leave my bed unless I badly needed to use the bathroom. There were two full weeks when I did not cook and survived by eating chips and ice cream. Just imagine the toll of these things on my physical health too. I really had specific issues with my personal and interpersonal functioning and ability. I felt that counseling would really be of help at that time. Group counseling was another solution that I can think of to alleviate distress and learn stress management.
My mental health — psychological depression — could have gone on up to this day. If anything, I could have become a patient. However, my mother asked one of my colleagues – a counseling psychologist who’s an expert on mental disorders – if they could check on me because they could not get ahold of me. As soon as my friend saw me, she said, “What happened to the clinical psychologists/career counseling consulting services fan I knew?”
“Gone with the wind, I guess,” I answered her dryly, as I had no physical ability left to say more.
My friend, who has been through graduate school (think doctoral programs and a master’s degree), pushed me to take a shower as she cleaned my living room. The cold water hitting my physical body already gave me a sense of clarity, education, knowledge, and understanding of my complete emotional distress. Once I was in fresh clothes, my clinical psychologist’s friend offered me group counseling, which I could accept. True enough, both counseling and her help were heaven-sent.
Psychologist In Counseling Career/Counseling Services
Even if you are a counseling or psychology professional for large American psychological association or American psychological corporations and professional organizations that require a career, conduct and work with independent study or research, and vocational developmental progress, you are not immune to depression or any psychological disorder. That is especially true in troubled times like now when you can’t resolve crises without a psychologist’s counseling services. Do not hesitate to pursue psychology counseling services, whether in public or private practice psychology, if you need counseling advice or services.
If you want to share your knowledge, understanding, and techniques about psychology counseling, or psychiatric counseling for that matter, do comment below this article!
Psychologist In Counseling: FAQs
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What Are The Stages In Counseling?
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What Is The Function Of A Counseling Psychologist?
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What Makes A Good Psychology Expert?
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How Does It Work On Depression, Anxiety, And Other Disorders?
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Is It Effective For Everyone?
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How Can This Promote Optimal Mental Health?
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How Do You Distinguish It From Psychotherapy?
- How long does counseling last?
- What skills are required to be a psychologist?
- What does a counseling psychologist do on a daily basis?
- What is the difference between a psychologist and a counseling psychologist?
- What are the 3 types of counseling?
- What do counseling psychologists do?
- Is a counseling psychologist a doctor?
- How do I become a counseling psychologist?