4 answers
Sofia
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Updated
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For any post or current therapists what was the hardest and easiest part of the career?
Hello, my name is Sofia I’m a 7th grader in middle school. I am debating whether or not I should pursue the career of being a child therapist. What are some hardships that come along with this career path. Please share some pros and cons.
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4 answers
Janice Ward
Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health
2
Answers
Middletown, Delaware
Updated
Janice’s Answer
You've chosen a challenging and equally, if not more so, a rewarding career option. You asked about
Pros:
1. The rewards of being able to help a child and their family.
2. Connecting with others in a meaningful way.
3. Working with other caring, helping professionals.
Cons:
1. Bearing witness to others' suffering is sobering work.
2. The risk of vicarious trauma and burn out. This points to the importance of good self care for those in the helping profession.
3. Pay is generally low to moderate; however some organizations make up for this with generous leave benefits.
Pros:
1. The rewards of being able to help a child and their family.
2. Connecting with others in a meaningful way.
3. Working with other caring, helping professionals.
Cons:
1. Bearing witness to others' suffering is sobering work.
2. The risk of vicarious trauma and burn out. This points to the importance of good self care for those in the helping profession.
3. Pay is generally low to moderate; however some organizations make up for this with generous leave benefits.
Morgan Adams
Healthcare Administration
60
Answers
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Updated
Morgan’s Answer
Hi Sofia! Being a child therapist can be very rewarding, but like any career, it has both challenges and positives. The hardest part is often handling difficult or emotional situations, like working with children who have experienced trauma, while staying professional and supportive. It can also be mentally and emotionally demanding at times. The easiest or most rewarding part is building trust and helping children grow and overcome challenges, which can be very fulfilling. Other pros include making a real difference in children’s lives and having a meaningful career, while cons can include long hours, emotional stress, and sometimes dealing with parents or systems that complicate care. Overall, it’s a career that requires patience and empathy but can be incredibly impactful.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1376
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Sofia,
The fact that you're already looking at careers and asking sincere questions is quite nice. Like any profession, becoming a child therapist can have both rewarding and challenging aspects, but it can also be a very fulfilling career.
Helping kids feel understood and supported is one of the greatest aspects of working as a child therapist. Many children experience emotional difficulties, stress, or challenging circumstances at home or at school. Children can play, communicate, and learn useful coping mechanisms in a safe environment created by a child therapist. Seeing a young person develop into a more self-assured, cheerful, and emotionally strong adult can be very fulfilling.
The fact that the work can be highly imaginative and engaging is another advantage. To help children express themselves, child therapists tend to use games, sketching, storytelling, and other activities. This can be a very rewarding career if you enjoy working with children and learning about their thoughts and emotions.
But there are challenges as well. Hearing about the issues some children deal with, such as family stress, bullying, or trauma, can be challenging. In addition to taking care of their own mental health, therapists need to understand how to support others. The fact that becoming a therapist requires education and time presents an additional challenge. Before they may practice, most people must first earn a bachelor's degree and then a master's.
For many therapists, simply engaging with individuals and listening is the simplest or most natural part. The work can feel very meaningful if you are someone who is patient with kids, loves helping people solve problems, and cares about other people.
The best thing you can do right now is to continue studying psychology, develop empathy, and look for opportunities to lend a hand to others in modest ways, such as helping friends or volunteering when you're older. You don't have to make all of your decisions at once. Now is an excellent time to start exploring your interests.
Best wishes!
The fact that you're already looking at careers and asking sincere questions is quite nice. Like any profession, becoming a child therapist can have both rewarding and challenging aspects, but it can also be a very fulfilling career.
Helping kids feel understood and supported is one of the greatest aspects of working as a child therapist. Many children experience emotional difficulties, stress, or challenging circumstances at home or at school. Children can play, communicate, and learn useful coping mechanisms in a safe environment created by a child therapist. Seeing a young person develop into a more self-assured, cheerful, and emotionally strong adult can be very fulfilling.
The fact that the work can be highly imaginative and engaging is another advantage. To help children express themselves, child therapists tend to use games, sketching, storytelling, and other activities. This can be a very rewarding career if you enjoy working with children and learning about their thoughts and emotions.
But there are challenges as well. Hearing about the issues some children deal with, such as family stress, bullying, or trauma, can be challenging. In addition to taking care of their own mental health, therapists need to understand how to support others. The fact that becoming a therapist requires education and time presents an additional challenge. Before they may practice, most people must first earn a bachelor's degree and then a master's.
For many therapists, simply engaging with individuals and listening is the simplest or most natural part. The work can feel very meaningful if you are someone who is patient with kids, loves helping people solve problems, and cares about other people.
The best thing you can do right now is to continue studying psychology, develop empathy, and look for opportunities to lend a hand to others in modest ways, such as helping friends or volunteering when you're older. You don't have to make all of your decisions at once. Now is an excellent time to start exploring your interests.
Best wishes!
Najah Barton
Mental health
10
Answers
Arlington, Virginia
Updated
Najah’s Answer
Hey Sofia 💛,
I love that you’re already thinking about this—7th grade and considering becoming a child therapist? That’s powerful. Very honorable!
I’ll answer you honestly, from my experience as a therapist:
The easiest (or most natural) part of this career is connecting with people. If you care about others, like listening, and want to help people feel safe and understood, that part feels really meaningful. Watching a child open up, grow, and feel more confident over time is one of the most rewarding feelings you can have in a job.
The hardest part is that you’re often working with people who are hurting—sometimes because of things happening at home, school, or in their lives that they can’t control, it can become very hard. You can’t “fix” everything, and that can feel heavy. It also takes a lot of patience, emotional strength, and years of school (college + graduate school) to become licensed.
👍🏾 Pros:
• You get to help others, especially kids, feel heard, safe, and supported
• You can make a real difference in someone’s life early on
• Every day is different—you’re not stuck doing the same thing
• It’s a career full of purpose
⚠️ Cons:
• It can be emotionally tough sometimes
• Schooling is long (usually a master’s degree after college. I hold a doctorate.)
• Progress can be slow—you have to be patient
• You may work with families, not just the child, which can be complex
If this is something you’re interested in, you don’t have to decide right now. Just keep being curious, kind, and observant. Those are the exact qualities that make a great therapist later on 🌱
And you’re already showing them.
I love that you’re already thinking about this—7th grade and considering becoming a child therapist? That’s powerful. Very honorable!
I’ll answer you honestly, from my experience as a therapist:
The easiest (or most natural) part of this career is connecting with people. If you care about others, like listening, and want to help people feel safe and understood, that part feels really meaningful. Watching a child open up, grow, and feel more confident over time is one of the most rewarding feelings you can have in a job.
The hardest part is that you’re often working with people who are hurting—sometimes because of things happening at home, school, or in their lives that they can’t control, it can become very hard. You can’t “fix” everything, and that can feel heavy. It also takes a lot of patience, emotional strength, and years of school (college + graduate school) to become licensed.
👍🏾 Pros:
• You get to help others, especially kids, feel heard, safe, and supported
• You can make a real difference in someone’s life early on
• Every day is different—you’re not stuck doing the same thing
• It’s a career full of purpose
⚠️ Cons:
• It can be emotionally tough sometimes
• Schooling is long (usually a master’s degree after college. I hold a doctorate.)
• Progress can be slow—you have to be patient
• You may work with families, not just the child, which can be complex
If this is something you’re interested in, you don’t have to decide right now. Just keep being curious, kind, and observant. Those are the exact qualities that make a great therapist later on 🌱
And you’re already showing them.