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What challenges did you experience when you began counseling?

I am a graduating senior and interested in pursuing a major in counseling, but I am concerned about the challenges I will face if I become a counselor.

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Gabriela’s Answer

That’s a really thoughtful question and it already shows how self-aware and committed you are to becoming a great counselor. When I started counseling, one of the biggest challenges I faced wasn’t technical,it was emotional. You realize very quickly that holding space for someone else’s pain requires more than knowledge. It demands presence, humility, and the ability to care deeply without losing yourself.

I also had to learn that I wouldn’t have all the answers and that’s okay. Sometimes, the best thing you can offer is listening without judgment, or helping someone feel seen for the first time. That, in itself, can be transformative.
And if you care enough to ask this question, you’re already on the right path. The most powerful counselors aren’t perfect they’re compassionate, curious, and committed to learning every day.
I hope you follow that instinct the world needs more people like you in this field :)

I wish you the best

Gabriela recommends the following next steps:

Keep that curiosity alive.
Start reading about evidence-based therapies like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) or ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
Try connecting with professionals in the field who care deeply about people
Thank you comment icon Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. Your response was helpful and encouraging. Sincerely, Amelia Amelia
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Annah’s Answer

Amelia, you are right in asking this question in advance. Being a clinical therapist is challenging- in some ways you might expect and others you may not. Some of these are "good" challenges that promote your own personal growth. Others are not as positive- the reason for much burn out within the field. I agree with the response above- this work is emotional. People enter into psychology and counseling because we are interested in people and because we care; we are in a helping role. This takes energy- to hold space for yourself and for others; it takes an ability to cultivate (therapeutic) presence and look at your own transference (your own stuff that gets stirred up). This is also an endlessly fascinating experience and necessary to being a competent therapist. There is no end to the amount of self-reflection you will be doing; this is a great gift! The downside may include vicarious trauma- from listening and observing the incredible difficulties people have lived through. On the flip side- you will also see how people are incredibly resilient, and this is powerful. Some other drawbacks- counseling is not highly paid; this is slowly changing especially in areas with a high cost of living. Any position where you work with and for people will likely be paid less than something involving technology or science. Though psychology is technically a social science! However, it is also a field that is constantly growing with a lot of varied career opportunities- from psychotherapist, researcher, educator, consultant, nonprofit director and more. It all depends on where you want to take your career and where your strengths lie. I personally prefer working with patients as I find it most interesting. Private practice may allow for greater freedom of practice and salary range. And if you choose to get a doctorate, your income will reflect this. If you attend graduate school, you will learn a lot- from basic counseling skills to more advanced methods, history, diagnostics, research, and hours of experiential work with your peers and with real clients. You will learn about burnout and selfcare- the book Trauma Stewardship is one that I recommend you add to your library. There may be many steps along the way you find yourself wondering what you got yourself into! But I can also say the gifts may outweigh the more difficult aspects. And when you find your groove- the way you like to work best (therapeutic technique and theory) things will fall into place. For me, being able to include artmaking as an art therapist is much more enjoyable than relying on talk therapy. I also prefer working with the body doing somatic trauma work and incorporating spirituality and ecotherapy. For me, this is what makes the work juicy and sustainable. Good luck finding your own groove- wherever it takes you on this journey we call life!
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Chinyere’s Answer

Hello Amelia,

Good question! It's wise of you to consider the potential future of the counseling profession. When starting their careers, many people who work in counseling face a few common challenges.

Listening to the hardships of others on a daily basis can be really valuable, but it can also be exhausting if you don't find ways to look after your own mental health. This is one of the most common forms of emotional tiredness, also known as compassion fatigue.
Establishing limits, learning to keep work and personal life apart, and creating coping mechanisms are all important.

Feeling uncertain or overburdened when beginning to work with clients, particularly during your practicum or internship, is another difficulty. Gaining confidence in your abilities may take some time, and that's perfectly acceptable.

Additionally, new counselors can have impostor syndrome or concern that they won't be able to provide adequate assistance. However, these emotions usually subside with time, supervision, and experience.

Depending on where and how you practice, there's also the difficulty of handling paperwork and occasionally handling complicated processes like insurance or state rules. Nonetheless, a lot of counselors say] that the benefits greatly exceed the difficulties; helping others, witnessing your clients' progress, and having a significant influence are what keep people in the industry.

Even with the challenging aspects of counseling, you can succeed if you have a strong desire to help people and are willing to learn.

Best wishes!
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