Any psychologists or counsellors? Career advice
 

I'm 20 years old and currently working as an apprentice electrician. It's not the job for me but I've decided to stick with it for another 2 years and gain my qualification.

Once I leave, I'd like to do something else and was thinking I could maybe become a psychologist with the opportunity to start my own clinic. I could later specialise in sexuality and gender disorders since it is something I have experience with (and it is a growing business at the moment $$$ :tongue2:). I just don't know if I could talk to other people everyday about the very thing I am trying to push out of my own life but I'd really like to help transgender children especially. Any advice?

I do find human behaviour interesting, however I'm much more interested in the subconscious mind, hypnosis, and placebo effect side of things (not sure if psychologists work with these theories much). Is anyone here a psychologist or studying to become one? Is it stressful? What don't you like about the job? I don't want to make the same mistake and get caught up in a job I won't enjoy.

I'm afraid I don't have any experience in psychology so can't help you there, but there are a lot of members here who have studied psychology so hopefully they will pop along to answer your questions!

One way to get a bit of an idea of whether or not this is the career for you would be to do some volunteering in this field. You could look into charities which support transgender young people and see what volunteering opportunities they have available. You could also look into volunteering for a child helpline of some sort, as that would give you an idea of the intensity of the work, and whether or not you would find it difficult to talk for long periods of times about sensitive issues.

I don't know which country you're in (US perhaps?) but could you investigate what the training route into psychology is and and go to some open evenings for courses?

I am talking about the UK, I don't know how things are in the states.

Becoming a clinical psychologist takes a very long time and it is very expensive. It is big on research and academics and it is a long slog before you actually get work with people therapeutically. If you enjoy studying and want to go down that path then great, but if not I would consider going down the counselling route.

Training to become a counsellor rather than a psychologist is much more accessible and can cost under what one year at university would. Some people who have done psychology degrees actually go on to complete counselling qualifications rather than continue on going to do a masters and Doctorate.

You could look at the local colleges in your area to see if any of them offer counselling qualifications, they are usually under the part-time option. Some universities offer counselling degrees, but a degree will be much more expensive.

Counselling training is not to be taken lightly. Any course worth doing involves a lot of self-awareness. You cannot help other people if you are not self-aware, otherwise you will cause more harm. Training is very demanding and not everyone makes it through.

There's nothing wrong with working in an area that you have had issues with yourself, but your post suggests to me that you still have problems yourself. You need to have worked through that and have helped yourself before you can help someone else work through it.
Having personal counselling for yourself will help you work through those problems and will also give you a better idea of whether that profession would be a good fit for you.

Don't take this personally, but I hope it is not the money that is making you look into this profession. I always feel upset when I see counsellors charging over £30 an hour, and it infuriates me when I see the profiles of counsellors who charge an excess of £50.

If your care for other people has a triple figure price tag then I would re think whether you are suitable for talking with some of the most vulnerable people in society, people who have had the most horrific lives. The people who may need you the most may not be able to afford you. They need your genuine care and warmth, and that is not likely to come off well if you are going in it for triple figures.

Do the dollars relate to you being in America?

If so I believe psychology is a doctorate level qualification?

If in the UK I will come back and give you a more informed answer!

Thanks for the replies. I live in Australia and from the information I've found online, the psychology degree seems to take 3 years to complete. I'm not 100% sure this is something I want to do. I'm just sick of working in construction and want a job that starts at 8-9am with no weekend work. I wouldn't mind working with computers perhaps, but I really don't know what's out there or what qualifications I need. I don't know what I "want to be when I grow up" and I feel like I desperately have to choose something now for some reason.

I am not a psychologist but from what I understand it takes 6 years all up to become a registered psychologist. As you first do a three year undergraduate degree in psychology then have to do further study from there. The Australian Psychological Society website explains better about what study pathways you can take.

Have you thought about seeing a career advisor? As they can help you explore different options and help you find something that you may be interested in. Also as others have suggested volunteering is a great way of exploring different options and to find out if it is something that really interests you. Best of luck with everything

Seeing a careers advisor would be a great start. Do you have a passion for psychology and helping people? Or just wondering what job to do? Because I think psychology is more of a calling, not really a profession you get into because you want a job with no weekend work. It's tough to get qualified and it will be stressful, demanding and emotionally draining (and yes very rewarding at times). I guess if you're not 100% sure yet then it might be best to try something more general so you can specialise later on.

To become a psychologist, it is both very difficult to obtain a place on the doctorate course (after your degree, so be prepared to study for 5 years plus), and also jobs are very competitive in this area.
One thing I feel is most important is that you seek treatment and recover from any issues yourself before entering this line of work. I've met a few psychology assistants (I work in MH), and it is very clear that they're in this line of work in search of answers to their own problems. This is both damaging to themselves and the patients they come into contact with.
Bottom line is really, have a big think about this career move and ensure you're fully dedicated and mentally fit for the role.
Best of luck x

You do not at all have to choose your future right now. It's a common trap people fall into but it's unhelpful!

To become a registered psychologist in Australia (I live here too) you need to do 3 years of undergraduate, a fourth year (usually honours) and then a four year doctoral program. So it can take 8 years to complete. It's not for the faint hearted. I've been wanting to do this since I was 16 and I'm in the third year of my doctorate and burnt out. Now I work with people but not as a psychologist.

Id look into social work degrees if I were you. But your heart has to be in it- not just because you want certain hours, these roles take a huge toll. Also hypnosis isn't used by psychologists but you can do a course in that to become trained.

And you would almost 100% have to confront your own issues about gender or sexuality before working with those people. It's near impossible to not let it sink into your mind and play with what is in there.

Wishing you all the best. Uni open days will be coming up and maybe career expos so keep an eye out for those :)