Often times, I get people sending me private messages in my DM, loving the job I do and wanting to do same. As for me, I would say, “Go for it.” It’s good to try your hands on anything that you are interested in, but be prepared to go through the battles as well. Sometimes we long for jobs we have no idea about, only to find ourselves in them and having second thoughts.
Counsellors are human beings just like pastors and they have personal problems too. Sometimes the problems might not be them per say but it could be their children or their family as a whole which can actually drain them emotionally.
One would ask, do counsellors or therapists know how to handle their own issues? My simple answer is ‘No’ if ‘yes’ then, not always the case. Just like surgeons who cannot operate on themselves, counsellors/therapists cannot always work on themselves. Just because you’re trained, doesn’t mean that you don’t sometimes need help yourself. In fact, the nature of the job places you at a higher risk for emotional distress.
One would ask, is the job rewarding? My answer will be no and yes. No because, people assume that counselling is a charitable work and so taking money is inhumane. People’s perspective on counselling is a story for another day. Yes is rewarding for some of us because, we get fulfilled when we are able to help people get their lives back and be happy. If you look at it in a monetary terms, you will definitely be disappointed. You may have to get another job to stay balanced.
Because of the ethics and high confidentiality restrictions, counsellors/therapists frequently keep work related stress to themselves without sharing to anyone. Sometimes the job can make you feel increasingly isolated with troubling thoughts and worries.
Counsellors spend so much time thinking about other people’s problems that they lack the mental energy or motivation to examine their own. Simply put, counsellors don’t have it rosy. If you understand the job, you will surely understand the assignment.
If you are a counsellor/therapist or a psychologist. Do not be ashamed to seek help. Infact you will do your clients a lot of good if you go seek help yourself. This will help maintain good insight and self-care.
We are in a country where speaking up or seeking help is seen as weakness and that, keeping issues to yourself will help avoid people knowing what you are going through.
The counselling job is not for the mentally weak or lose mouths. Do you know the spiritual, emotional
and, physical battles? That is a story for another day for sure. No job is easy on this planet but, we must be ready like soldiers ready for battles.
This profession is not highly regarded in Ghana because of how some counsellors portray the job, but I kid you not, some counsellors are doing amazing jobs by putting their own lives on hold just to help others get their lives back on track and stay happy. And oh…. it’s not only the book knowledge that can make you succeed in the job, it’s a calling. Pray for your counsellors so that God will use them for your good.
Counsellor Afia
0274441544/0572720445
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com
