I am Femitha Rachel. Truth be told, I was never inclined towards the field of mental health, because I somehow had the mentality that it would be nearly impossible to spread awareness in a country like India---- where people always have ascribed to a set of predetermined notions. Therefore, I saw no point in it, except I was wrong. I got into the field of Counselling Psychology by chance; since I couldn't really get a seat for English Literature in the universities I wanted, I deviated from that path, and steered towards the direction of Psychology. I disliked it initially, but I don't think I have spent even one day without talking to a loved one in pain or reading up on mental health related articles ever since I started loving it.
In the field of Counselling, I am inclined towards both Rogerian and Gestalt approach. However, it is very difficult to find a personal style until and unless one has been really mentored and tutored on the counselling skills, theories and techniques. Maybe, if anybody here wishes to pursue this field, this is something you should always look into: No matter how many things I may be knowing or how passionate I happen to be, it is very important to have a mentor or a supervisor who will guide you throughout the process. This becomes extremely necessary once a trainee counsellor begins to see clients on a regular basis.
I see clients thrice a week; there are times when I have felt stuck. Every client is different. Now, how am I going to integrate my personal style with the client's need? I cannot use Rogerian model with someone who is looking for quick solutions to a crisis. I cannot go the Gestalt way when the client is not willing or in the mental space to own responsibility for his or her actions. Therefore, learning integrative models and twisting these theories to suit the needs of the clients becomes very significant in the process of counselling.
However, all I can say is that---- it's been a fulfilling journey. I had always felt inadequate as an individual most of my life. Now, I can finally feel that thought washing away, because I have finally accepted what I want to do throughout my life. I wish to be a good human being and in turn, bring out the best in others.
Diya Rao Jaini December 12, 2020 10:27 pm
@femitharachelebby the fact that you're feeling satisfied with studying and practicing this subject is really great to hear! i am really in the gestalt school of thought as well. Thanks for sharing your experiences 🙂
R.Aishwarya December 12, 2020 10:32 pm
Wow that was such an interesting experience. It's like you are destined to help people. Best wishes for your journey.
Jiniya Chakraborty December 12, 2020 10:42 pm
@femitharachelebby That was such a different experience altogether. All the best for your future endeavors. 😊
Diksha Tarnekar December 12, 2020 11:07 pm
@femitharachelebby Glad to hear that you thrive to help others. All the best.
Kanishka Mendiratta December 12, 2020 11:37 pm
@femitharachelebby At the end of the day what actually matters is that you're living your dream and motivated towards accomplishing it.
And it feel so good to know your client experience. Would love to know more about your experiences .
Good luck ☺️
Prerna Dash December 12, 2020 11:39 pm
@femitharachelebby you've written some very interesting things and even I'm an admirer of gestalt. Dealing with people can sometimes be confusing but we all have to find a solution for it, and it comes with experience. Eager to know more from you. All the best for your future endeavours.
Karisma December 13, 2020 12:25 am
@femitharachelebby thanks for advice, I recently came across the fact about having a mentor or superior who you could reach out to when you need help or feel stuck and it's feels more relevant hearing it from someone here who is in the field. And it's really great to see how fate worked for you, hope you get more happiness and success.
Shruti Shashidharan December 13, 2020 1:38 pm
@femitharachelebby Hi, I'm so happy to know that you gave psychology a chance despite the situation in our country regarding mental health. Thank you for sharing your experience with the subject and your actual practice. The practical application of the rogerian and gestalt approach that you mentioned was really helpful. Wishing you well!
Divya Chopade December 13, 2020 2:51 pm
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your journey , it's very inspiring ! Sending good vibes your way❤️
Saumya Srivastava December 13, 2020 6:14 pm
This was very informative for me genuinely. I want to be a clinical psychologist and the tip of having a mentor at all times that you gave will always help me out. Thank you!
Akshita Wasnik December 13, 2020 11:52 pm
Thank you so much for sharing, being in the final year of my masters it feels really validating and assuring to be a part of the filed of psychology.
Sukrutha Mudhol December 14, 2020 12:06 am
seeing what you have written, I have a feeling you will excel in both the fields, English as well as psychology. I would be happy to have a mentor like you. I am new to this field so I am not familiar with those personalities and teachings. But I know one thing for sure, You have clarity of thoughts for what is to be done at present. I learnt that there are different approaches for different clients. I liked the way you combined them and modified to suit the requirement.
Gourinanda T S December 14, 2020 12:47 am
It's a different one. Anyways all the very best wishes to achieve your dream. All my wishes are with you. May God bless you to do it well.
Manasi Bhosale December 14, 2020 1:56 am
Acceptance is the key to happiness and I am glad you found it. Best wishes for your future!!
Tanisha Jain December 14, 2020 3:52 am
Hello Femitha! I am currently doing a PG diploma in Counseling Psychology (and will be applying for Master's next year) and I'm always wondering how these theoretical approaches we are taught play out in the practical setting. From what we have been taught so far, I too have an inclination for the Rogerian approach but I suppose only when I start practicing will I know what approach is most appropriate for the client.
It was really good to read your experience. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insights with us.
It's great to read experiences like this specially for a degree student like me! God bless!❤️
All the very best for your future may you become what you want to be
I feel you Racheal! Cause even I believe in helping . All of us have our journeys and the journey is satisfying more than the destination. It's amazing how we fall in love with something out of nowhere and decide to chose it for the rest of our lives. And when that happens we know the purpose of our lives and keep moving towards our goals. I wish you all the luck to reach your goal and hope you enjoy your journey and learn from it!!
This really is a good learning for the ones to wish to pursue their career in Psychology. It is really informative with necessary suggestions. Thank you for being there for people and doing the good work. I hope you excel in this field and help more people and take care of yourself simultaneously.
Good to see you opening up about your struggles- we all go through a fair share of it when you're a freshly graduated student who's trying to venture out in this vast field. But i guess, patience, hardwork, perseverance , determination and experience will all eventually help us figure out our own personal styles of working . And good to see how much this field has helped you in your journey of self acceptance. Luck to you for your future endeavors
Hii, It's nice to hear about your journey and such an honest experience. Indeed here in India, it is very difficult to raise awareness about mental health as people mostly neglect it but good to hear that you are doing your part. wish you success and happiness. All the best.
I am doing my counselling psychology right now. And yes there are times when I get stuck too and it gets confusing and my mind draws up a blank. This makes me think. Isn't psychology just compassion? Maybe we are all just learning to be human. Which is fascinating and yet so sad.
And I too believed it was hard to make people in India understand. But the fact that we are all working together for that is astounding 🙂
The fact that you're feeling satisfied with studying and practicing this subject is really great to hear! I am really interested in the gestalt school of thought as well. Thanks for sharing your experiences! All the best for your future ❤️
Thank you for sharing your experience and challenges with us. This is really informative. I would like to learn more from you about how you change your personal style to suit your client's requirements... I'd also like to learn more about your experiences and work in general. So good to know about your journey! 🙂
It's so nice to read about your journey.
I hope you become good and successful therapist as u Wish to be.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thankyou for sharing your experience it is going to be very helpful for people like me who are looking forward to make a career in Psychology. Best wishes to you.
It's so true to find a personal style for the counseling process as every human is different so how can we expect that the same treatment might work for all but it was nice reading your post and get some knowledge about the field. You out there helping people already makes you a great human being and I hope you continue to achieve your goals 💗
Thanks for sharing your experience. It will really help me in the future is what i know and i am sure of.
Thankyou for sharing your experience and knowledge with me!
I am so glad that you're doing what you love and trying to bring out the best in others!
More power to you1
I really loved reading your experience. I hope you achieve everything you want and thrive in your career. Thank you for sharing your story with us ❤️
true though , no doubt you never know that something good is coming your way
