My journey
I didn't start out wanting to be a Counsellor, I came to it much later in my career. As a teen I really wanted to study law and become a lawyer, so I did. I spent many years and many thousands studying, training and learning only to find that I didn't enjoy it. I realised pretty much immediately that it wasn't the right career for me, only I then felt trapped. I'd spent so long working towards qualification, racking up considerable debt along the way, and I've never considered anything else so I ended up staying.
Years later, it took being made redundant to finally give me the push to try something else, although I still didn't know what. I found another role where I felt comfortable, liked the people and it ticked a lot of boxes, although I still knew it wasn't the right role for me. I felt myself slowly become more frustrated but not having the drive to do anything about it.
More years went by and out of the blue, redundancy came knocking again! This time I decided to take it as a sign. I worked with a great Life Coach to do a deep dive of what I really wanted to do. I thought long and hard about what I enjoyed, my strengths, what inspired me and what skills I could bring to the table.
On a random scroll of social media I saw a post for an introductory course to counselling. It was a short evening course. I wasn't sure but it sparked an interest I'd not experienced in some time so I decided to give it a try. I remember being so nervous walking into the room. It had been years since I'd done any studying. I was filled with self-doubt, imposter syndrome and worry but as soon as we got started I felt myself start to relax. As the tutor explained what we would be doing I felt engaged, motivated and excited to start.
After that night I never looked back. I knew I'd finally found the missing piece I'd been looking for all those years. Fast forward several years, navigating the challenges of learning as an adult, working whilst studying, placements, supervision and more learning, I'm finally doing a job I love, that inspires me and that I feel passionate about.
What do I love about counselling?
I didn't have confidence in myself for many years and it took therapy, age and experience to bring it out. I love how therapy can bring about change in people enabling them to grow and heal. I have a natural curiosity about human behaviour and why people think, feel and act the way they do.
My work is challenging. I get to work with a diverse range of people with different backgrounds and experiences. I learn from them too. When I see clients begin to change, feel better, become more confident it is inspiring and fulfilling for me.
It is work that makes a difference and I enjoy getting to know my clients, learning about their lives and working with them to reach their goals.
What do I bring to the table?
I have a lot of lived experience that I can bring. I've experienced bereavement and loss, relationship breakdowns, major life events and changes. I get people's struggles, anxieties and fears either keeping them in a place they don't want to be or stopping them/holding them back from trying for fear of failure.
I also know what it feels like to sit in that therapy chair. To feel exposed and under the spotlight. That feeling when the therapist sees you and voices that, knowing what it feels like to really be seen and heard. It's terrifying and amazing at the same time. I can identify with how clients might experience their healing and personal growth. I'm still doing mine.