Go back to school and be a therapist?

[Melody Maia]

Sorry if this doesn't belong here, but I didn't quite see a forum that fit. Anyway, since it looks like I will be divorced in the coming months and will have to look out for myself, I have been thinking about future plans. Specifically work. I have my undergrad degree in psychology from an ivy league university and always thought about pursuing that at a post-grad level, but never did. I was terrified that my "secret" would come out in that sort of setting. Coming out has given me a fresh perspective on things and this once again seems like a possibility. So, I have been thinking of pursuing a Masters in either Family Therapy or Social Work. In the meantime, I have ten years IT support experience and am currently a portrait/sports league & action photographer. I am hoping the latter, along with any divorce settlement, could help support me and put me through school. What do you ladies think? I would like to be in private practice as a therapist, so is there a degree that might be better to pursue?

[spacial]

Melody.

This isn't something I have any experience with, but I think it's a wonderful opportunity. To build something out of the ashes.

Really hope someone can advise

[Melody Maia]

Melody.

This isn't something I have any experience with, but I think it's a wonderful opportunity. To build something out of the ashes.

Really hope someone can advise

Thanks Spacial. I think so too. Plus, transitioning as a student and then starting a new work life as female would seem like a good plan.

[Tamaki]

My therapist is trans and a marriage and family therapist. Almost all of his clients are trans at one stage or another and he seems to have a thriving business.

My friends and family that have social work degrees seems to have a hard time of finding work that pays much. It might be smart to really research social work before you commit to it.

School seems to be a good place to transition one of my local universities is very trans friendly. As an alumni I can get free or low job career guidance through my university, they might be able to help you figure out if you'd like to be in private practice.

[erocse]

Melody,

     I am sorry to hear things are not working out with your marriage.

    I have never met a person that has regretted studying psychology or the culinary arts. If not for a career at least for personal growth.  We all need to eat and it doesn't hurt to know why we feel the way we do. I think going back to school to study psychology is great, and if it turns into a career , better..

  Good luck, Erocse

[Melody Maia]

Melody,

     I am sorry to hear things are not working out with your marriage.

    I have never met a person that has regretted studying psychology or the culinary arts. If not for a career at least for personal growth.  We all need to eat and it doesn't hurt to know why we feel the way we do. I think going back to school to study psychology is great, and if it turns into a career , better..

  Good luck, Erocse

Thank you Erocse. Mrs. Erocse seems like a special lady and you are lucky to have each other. My wife is special too and has been as supportive as she can be, but she just can't make this journey with me. I love her and she loves me and I think we will remain good friends.

[Colleen Ireland]

Melody,

Who better to counsel couples or transpeople than someone who has been through the wringer herself?  Not to mention, I'm sure you'd find much healing in pursuing something like that, and you'd also become a tremendous gift to the community.  We need more people like you in positions to help.  Go for it!  My supervisor has a plaque on her desk that reads: "Aim for the moon.  Even if you miss, you'll end up among the stars!"  I like that advice...

[Kendall]

I am a therapist and it is the most important thing in my life. I am (almost) never bored, and I have never regretted my career. I work for a non-profit, and help people some of whom could not get help otherwise. No matter how depressed I get sometimes about other parts of my life, I feel good about helping people. And I am always learning. Also everyone "knows" therapists are weird, so there is leeway to be gender variant.

As to whether MFT or Social Work, I think it is more important which school feels better to you, and which gives you a better financial deal. At least in California, the coursework is similar for both degrees. My masters is actually in Clinical Psychology, from Nebraska. In LA there are several schools, and each has a different "character" or "atmosphere." Having life experience as you do can help support your being a better therapist - more understanding, less naive.

Good luck!

[Janet_Girl]

My therapist is one of the top gender therapist in Portland, and he has a Masters in Marriage and Family.  Most of his practice is Transpeople.   And he is one of us, so he has insights that a cis therapist would not have.

I think you have a great plan and you should be great at it.

[Cindy]

Hi Melody
Sounds a great idea. I have no idea what qualifications you need, and no doubt it varies from place to place, certainly from country to country. In Australia we have to see psychiatrists rather than therapists as such. Although seeing a therapist first seems a good idea. Hope it works out, sorry about the marriage breakdown, but I hope you can remain friends. She is a very brave lady, sometimes we forget how strong a partner has to be to deal with the shock, if they didn't know prior to the relationship. The other thing I read in your posts is that you are a very caring woman as well.

Good Luck and Hugs

Cindy

[Melody Maia]

Thanks everyone. I am starting to settle on this as a viable plan and looking at schools here in the Houston area where I live.

Kendall, I like that you mentioned that you are not bored. I tend to get bored easily in jobs once I master them. The ever changing nature of therapy is something I find appealing.

Janet, thank you for that insight.

Cindy, you are kind as always. Yes, my wife is very strong. Together, we have been able to adjust very quickly to my transition. She is constantly amazing her own therapist with her ability to emotionally settle on things that it take some other partners years to achieve. I love her and I am nearly positive we will remain great friends. The only thing that I see as a possible challenge to us moving forward is how to balance our new independent lives with our past dependent one. Time will tell.