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+--- Thread: Anyone in here looking to be a therapist or counselor? (/Thread-Anyone-in-here-looking-to-be-a-therapist-or-counselor)
Anyone in here looking to be a therapist or counselor? - CollegeStudent7 - 05-01-2011
I had a revelation today. While I'm mainly earning my Bachelors for a sense of fulfillment, it wouldn't hurt for it to be useful for the future
.As most of you know, I work in the arena of office support and I am "happy" where I'm at. Not literally. I hate my current job and morale has been excruciatingly low since the crash of the economy, but generally speaking, I can earn an average of somewhere around $20 for work that, IMO, is pretty darn easy.
Is it what I was born to do? Nope, but it pays the bills and I am smart with my money so I'm putting a good chunk in savings. My ultimate goal is to be able to dip into part of my savings and start my own gig, where I am self employed, etc. It would obviously be a very conservative idea, as I'm not rolling in hundreds of thousands of dollars, but a place to start.
Right now, after taxes, I bring home only $2,200 a month. I hate my boss with a burning passion and I'm not someone to dislike someone else very easily. I am disrespected and demeaned daily...overworked and extremely underappreciated. Not all office jobs are like this, but so long as I continue to work for ANYONE, I will always be at the mercy of my employer.
I am lucky enough to say that my guy takes care of ALL major bills and we don't have kiddos yet, so this gives me more wiggle room to play with the idea of self employment and be a little more venturous.
This sounds cliche, but EVERYONE comes to me for advice and there's something about me that people seem to trust. I know too many deep, dark secrets and have had so many people tell me I am the only person that understands them that if I made a $1 for each time I COULD be self employed lol. I guess it's because I have had my own struggles in life and I'm not judgmental.
Part of me got to thinking, perhaps I could be paid for all the worrying and stressing I do over others. I've given so much advice that I feel like..why not make a career out of it? Of all the counselors/therapists I have had in my life, half should NOT be in the field. They are insensitive, rude and unprofessional.
I realize counselors/therapists aren't paid that much, but I have a strong feeling I would at least be able to bring home $2,200/month after taxes and the joy I would experience from being my own boss is IRREPLACEABLE. I am so miserable and frustrated practically begging to keep my long term temp jobs and it's killing my soul. I do it because I "should be happy to be working in such a bad recession" and because I have to start somewhere to put money in my savings.
Sorry to make this an essay and thanks for allowing me to vent, but I am currently finishing my BA in Natural Sciences/Mathematics. What would I do if I want to be a counselor/therapist in NYC? My goal is to rent out my own office and work for myself. I don't mind if I need my Masters..I just didn't know if this would be doable if I am graduating with my BA Nat Sci/Math first. BTW I chose this major because I like/am good at Sci/Math and it was pretty much the quickest Bachelors degree out there for me.
Anyone in here looking to be a therapist or counselor? - Ace_King - 05-01-2011
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I don't know.
Anyone in here looking to be a therapist or counselor? - alleycat - 05-01-2011
CollegeStudent7, go on the State of NY website for therapist and counselor and see what the educational back ground and license that are need to practice in NY. This varies from state to state.
Anyone in here looking to be a therapist or counselor? - skyfall123 - 05-01-2011
Quote:This sounds cliche, but EVERYONE comes to me for advice and there's something about me that people seem to trust. I know too many deep, dark secrets and have had so many people tell me I am the only person that understands them that if I made a $1 for each time I COULD be self employed lol. I guess it's because I have had my own struggles in life and I'm not judgmental.
Tell EVERYONE that you are going to begin charging $15.00 an hour for giving advice. Tell EVERYONE their first hour is free and they will also get a free hour for EVERYONE else they refer. If in a month you having a thriving business, you will know that your self assessment is correct and you can quit your other job.
Good luck!
Anyone in here looking to be a therapist or counselor? - skyfall123 - 05-01-2011
Quote: I am so miserable and frustrated practically begging to keep my long term temp jobs and it's killing my soul.
Word to the wise.....What preserves your soul is helping those less fortunate than you.
You need to understand the difference between what your ego wants and what your soul needs.
Anyone in here looking to be a therapist or counselor? - CollegeStudent7 - 05-01-2011
Excelsior954 Wrote:Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I don't know.Wow that was helpful! Thanks lol
Anyone in here looking to be a therapist or counselor? - CollegeStudent7 - 05-01-2011
alleycat Wrote:CollegeStudent7, go on the State of NY website for therapist and counselor and see what the educational back ground and license that are need to practice in NY. This varies from state to state.
Thanks Alleycat! I'm still looking at the difference between being a counselor, social worker and therapist and if there's a huge gap in pay, education, etc.
Thanks for your reply.
Anyone in here looking to be a therapist or counselor? - CollegeStudent7 - 05-01-2011
Geezer Wrote:Tell EVERYONE that you are going to begin charging $15.00 an hour for giving advice. Tell EVERYONE their first hour is free and they will also get a free hour for EVERYONE else they refer. If in a month you having a thriving business, you will know that your self assessment is correct and you can quit your other job.
Good luck!
Geezer I would be ROLLING in dough if I did that! I don't want to sound "cocky", but I know I must give some pretty awesome advice because I have TONSSSSS of "repeat customers" LOL. I really care about people and feel like I have to bend over backward to help them "fix" their problem or at least feel better. I have a nurturing soul, as someone pointed out (never knew what to call it before then) which is probably why I went into nursing to begin with.
As I get older I feel like my happiness is more important than tons of money and I'm just trying to find the balance. There are many professions I am interested in, but this one would allow me to be self employed...my ultimate goal. Hmmm
I wonder if it's legal to open your own "practice/office" and charge people for advice lol..no seriously, though. I would do it .
Anyone in here looking to be a therapist or counselor? - CollegeStudent7 - 05-01-2011
Geezer Wrote:Word to the wise.....What preserves your soul is helping those less fortunate than you.
You need to understand the difference between what your ego wants and what your soul needs.
Please elaborate. I agree. Helping those less fortunate than you is a soul saver. I would love to go home at night and know that I'm making a difference. Until then, office work it is.
I really don't feel like it's an ego issue for me. I don't think I'm too good to do certain work. I just generally love to work. It's just the job that I have now is draining my spirit and I swear to you, Geezer, I have SO much to give to others that it cannot possibly be my life calling to sit behind a desk and me dumped on all day long.
Anyone in here looking to be a therapist or counselor? - alleycat - 05-01-2011
CollegeStudent7 Wrote:Geezer I would be ROLLING in dough if I did that! I don't want to sound "cocky", but I know I must give some pretty awesome advice because I have TONSSSSS of "repeat customers" LOL. I really care about people and feel like I have to bend over backward to help them "fix" their problem or at least feel better. I have a nurturing soul, as someone pointed out (never knew what to call it before then) which is probably why I went into nursing to begin with.
As I get older I feel like my happiness is more important than tons of money and I'm just trying to find the balance. There are many professions I am interested in, but this one would allow me to be self employed...my ultimate goal. Hmmm
I wonder if it's legal to open your own "practice/office" and charge people for advice lol..no seriously, though. I would do it though.
CollegeStudent7 you really need to look at your state laws about the practice/office and charging people. You need a master degree for sure. You probably also have to practice under someone for a length of time also. You also have to be licensed and pass a state exam. This all will take time. Collegestudent7 you are just so all over the place with your career choices.