It’s Official!

[sage]

Hey guys - I wanted to share this with you all cuz you've been such a huge part of my journey over the past3 years. As of this week, I am entering the clinical internship phase of my training, and am therefore now "a psychotherapist". I've changed my signature and won't be including my Ph.D. cuz it's not in clinical psychology, so I can't give the impression I'm a clinical psychologist...never mind, it's weird.


Although I've been doing grief and crisis counselling for 20 years, I will now be seeing couples and families, as well as individuals with presenting problems such as anxiety disorders. This internship will be supervised by an experienced professional for 18 months (which means I have to write up what happens in sessions, and present it to a group of other professionals for them to give advice, etc.)


For the longest time I refused to finish my training, or do clinical work cuz after all "I was crazy" (I believed) - meaning - if I couldn't get cured of my phobia, how the hell could I help anyone else (totally my own belief...I know there are therapists who still have presenting problems - I just didn't want to be one of them...)


Anyway, I'm cured...I'm educated...no excuses now.


I was really worried for a time that I might not be able to post here anymore, once I got certification. There are rules about doing case consultations online (liability and all that). Of course, I'm not using my real name here, but still... Anyway, apparently there is a big movement to actually do "online therapy" (I can't imagine), so posting information of a general nature is fine (it's not like I "do therapy" here - I just try to give people information...therapy is mostly being a trusted, caring person and listening and just affirming the other...while gently challenging as the client is ready. Oversimplification, but anyway...) My point is, I can still answer questions and such, just as I've always done.


So thanks, everyone (especially to many who are no longer here) for accompanying me on this journey and putting up with me when I was at my worst, 2 years ago now... and for giving me the opportunity to sort of "give back" to the world after 40 years of running away from anyone with a problem!


Just as a final note: I try to come here every 2 or 3 days...but I don't have time to read every new post. Generally, I get drawn to the ones that are about treatment, therapy, or the nature of the disorder (like panic attacks, etc.) I don't usually read posts that are about feeling ill and wanting support (the rest of you are better at giving that than me, cuz you're here more, and you're still "in it", so you can generally empathize better)...nor do I read any OT posts or stuff about peoples' experiences. This is all just a time conservation thing, and not cuz I don't care. If you want to ask my anything, post with my name. Or send me a PM and point me to a particular thread if need be.


Thanks again, everyone! God bless you all!

[kentuckygalrk]

Sage...


You've been such an inspiration to many my sincerest congrats to you... I hope your internship goes well


Also... I know I once said (and hopefullydidn't offend you by saying)that I didn't think I could ever sit down and talk to a therapist, counsellor, psychologist, etc...who knows nothing about me because I just didn't see how they could "care" about a person they don't know. Since then, especially through becoming a member of this site and through my recent involvement with cancer children and my dreams to become a child life specialist,I've come to realize that it is not impossible, and is in factincredibly easy for me to care about people I've never met or even at times never come in contact with. I can indeed empathize with many of the people here because I've experienced much of what they have gone/are going through. And with the cancer children I've realized that regardless of whether I know them personally or not, it is very encouraging for them to know that someone, somewhere is caring and praying for them.


I guess what I'm saying is that it truly takes people like you who are willing to be there for people you don't know... you're able to look at it from a totally different point of view and see things that the "insiders" (family members and friends)may not see. I'm currently thinking about going to see someone about my depression and it's in part thanks to you and your complete understanding and openess here, you've given me a very different perspective on counsellors than I ever had before... so THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!


Good Luck!


~Rachel

[r311dude]

That's so awesome!I think it's great to see someone on the board who has been cured, cause it proves that it can be done and now I have a new idol to replace Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake with [img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img]. Congrats on finally deciding to go through with all this. With your knowledge in dealing with a HUGE phobia you already have a step up above normal doctors who attempt to treat people. G'luck with everything.

[sbias]

Congrats Sage.... Stevie loves ya! [img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img]

[sarahx]

Well done sage!!! You give us all hope, yu know that?!!!


Sarah xxx

[faith-marilyn]

thanx absolutely fantastic sage, i dont even know u that well and even i feel proud!!! [img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img] i hope it goes brilliantly for you because you very much deserve it!!
Love always, faith-m xxxx

[terified girl]

I don't really know you, and don't know much about your situation but I can tell you've come very far, so congratulations on this new journey and I hope all goes well for you!


Sonia

[Jenneh]

Sage -- thats wonderful. psychotherapy is so so interesting!


good luck with it al.


Jen xxxxx

[e-lizabeth]

Hey Sage....as one "oldtimer" to another, good on ya!!!! I've been wondering where you've been lately, and now I see. I sometimes feel that, being one of the oldest here and one of the ones for whom emet is NOT the main focus of my life given that I've come so far in therapy and function fully in my life (though am not quite as cured as you, I do very well), I can offer people advice...however, I seem not to do it as well as you.


Anyway, way to go. My hubby, who's a social worker, has recently started doing counselling and he absolutely LOVES it. He's so happy with his decision to take on private clients. In addition to his personal satisfaction, I'm pleased if it means more income for us while I'm on maternity leave for the next year (yup, baby # 2 is due in 2 weeks!).


Take care, and know that we all find comfort inthe knowledge that you're still lurking about.

[2jo2]

Congratulations Sage! You're truely an inspiration and I have the utmost respect for you and your advice.