hjian
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- Mar 15, 2021
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I applied for MFT programs this year. Currently waitlisted for CSU Northridge and CSU Sacramento. Still waiting to hear back from four more MFT programs. I feel very demoralized for not having received acceptances.
I was a premed before choosing to go into mental health. I graduate with high honors, but was hesitant to go into medicine because of the amount of work and hours required (80hr weeks during residency). During my last year of college, I went through therapy and it allowed me to heal my emotional trauma. This was my intro into the mental health field and I considered becoming a therapist because I experienced the potential it has to do good for others. I worked as a medical assistant after graduating and decided to do mental health instead because I did not think I would be able to handle the amount of work on the medical path. My interaction with patients there only reinforced my decision. I had an overall positive impact on the patients and staff there as I was able to bring an energy of love and acceptance from healing myself. Some patients wanted to know what I would do and asked for my full name. One of the doctors was looking forward to getting my business card in the future because of her stress from the patient load.
I am currently volunteering for a crisis hotline which has given me some good experience counseling others during crisis. Most of the crisis calls ended with the caller being more calmer and hopeful for a brighter day. However, I don't get to follow up with these callers. I dabbled in life coaching and realized I don't necessarily need to be a therapist to help people with their mental health. Some people have emotional blocks because they avoid their painful emotions. Helping others understand that sort of fulfilled my longing to help others with their mental health.
Here I am now questioning if I should continue pursuing mental health. I know I have four more schools to hear back from, but I feel hopeless. Should I consider applying to private schools? They have spring application cycles, but cost a lot more. Is anyone able to give a good estimate of how long does it take to repay those loans (60,000 - 75,000)? Should I apply again next cycle? Apply for expensive private programs? Some part of me feels like going back to medicine is the safer option, maybe because of its familiarity to me.
I was a premed before choosing to go into mental health. I graduate with high honors, but was hesitant to go into medicine because of the amount of work and hours required (80hr weeks during residency). During my last year of college, I went through therapy and it allowed me to heal my emotional trauma. This was my intro into the mental health field and I considered becoming a therapist because I experienced the potential it has to do good for others. I worked as a medical assistant after graduating and decided to do mental health instead because I did not think I would be able to handle the amount of work on the medical path. My interaction with patients there only reinforced my decision. I had an overall positive impact on the patients and staff there as I was able to bring an energy of love and acceptance from healing myself. Some patients wanted to know what I would do and asked for my full name. One of the doctors was looking forward to getting my business card in the future because of her stress from the patient load.
I am currently volunteering for a crisis hotline which has given me some good experience counseling others during crisis. Most of the crisis calls ended with the caller being more calmer and hopeful for a brighter day. However, I don't get to follow up with these callers. I dabbled in life coaching and realized I don't necessarily need to be a therapist to help people with their mental health. Some people have emotional blocks because they avoid their painful emotions. Helping others understand that sort of fulfilled my longing to help others with their mental health.
Here I am now questioning if I should continue pursuing mental health. I know I have four more schools to hear back from, but I feel hopeless. Should I consider applying to private schools? They have spring application cycles, but cost a lot more. Is anyone able to give a good estimate of how long does it take to repay those loans (60,000 - 75,000)? Should I apply again next cycle? Apply for expensive private programs? Some part of me feels like going back to medicine is the safer option, maybe because of its familiarity to me.