5 Reasons Why I Love Being a Therapist by Tricia Miller, M. Ed. LPC
I love what I do! Being a therapist is more than a job--it reflects a core part of me that enjoys getting to know people at a real level. The therapy process allows for authentic, face to face conversations in an Uber-wired world. As a Therapist, I guide people through personal challenges, help ease emotional burdens, and empower people to achieve a healthier mind. With a new mindset, clients can pursue new ways to live in both their professional and personal lives.
Since 2008, I have been closely worked with high school students as a Senior Counselor helping them prepare for college and the real world across KIPP Houston High School, St. Thomas High School and most recently Westchester International Academy of Studies in Houston, Texas. I have enjoyed encouraging, motivating and empowering young minds for the next transition in their lives. In 2014, I expanded my work as a Counselor as I began my clinical experience at the Center for Postpartum Family Health (CPFH) supporting expectant and new Mothers experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety. Currently, I work with College-Aged Students, College Grads Entering the Real World, Millennials and Middle-Aged Professional Adults struggling with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Relationship Issues and Other Grown-Up People Problems.
Here are my top 5 reasons on why I love being a Therapist:
1. I Love Helping People Learn About Themselves.
My cozy therapy room not only provides a safe sanctuary to harbor my client’s most vulnerable of emotions, but our space transforms into the ultimate learning lab. In therapy, we dive deep to understand your thinking process, motivations, and behaviors. With a therapist, client ratio being one to one (1:1), the therapy approach is highly individualized based on your needs. The therapy experience allows clients a chance to process and learn what is in stirring in their hearts and captivating their minds.
Today’s world is so fast-paced that we don’t often get the opportunity to reflect on the day's events. We need that time to think and gain perspective so we can make sound decisions. We learn in school about so many things, but little is learned about our internal and emotional landscape. Therapy is an eye-opening experience no matter your place on the self-awareness spectrum. Therapy is an empowering process that can guide you to a healthier mindset both inside and out.
2. Bye-Bye Stigma
I don't know if you know of a therapist in your circle, but there are many misconceptions of who we are and what we do. Therapists are ultimate listeners and build trusted relationships. We all have our unique style, and often specialize in a particular area. Dr. Phil is not an accurate representation of the majority of Counselors/Therapists in our profession.
Cultural and family beliefs may deter someone from seeking professional counseling/therapy to address mental health concerns. For example, going “outside” the family for help is often considered a no-no. A family’s “dirty laundry” is only supposed to be kept in-house. In addition, going to see therapist is only designated for people who are deemed “crazy.” I break these stigmas, and put them in their rightful place--in the trash.
Growing up in a first-generation Asian household, it was a very uncomfortable and rare to talk about emotions. Being vulnerable was absolutely a scary experience. If I was sad, I could mask it. If I was scared, I could stuff it. If I was confused, I could fake it. Not until I saw my own therapist in my early 20s while in college, I was able to see the benefits of talking to someone. It was like a whole new world. I realized I had so much to share, and I wasn't crazy at all--just human. I was just bottled up with emotions, and didn't have a place to safe place to share my thoughts.
People need a safe space to talk about things that dwell in their hearts and minds. So--fast forward many, many years later roles reversed being reversed with me being in the therapist's chair. Many of my clients come from first-generation cultural backgrounds where Counseling is not a common or valued practice. For new comers to therapy, I present an alternative, destigmatizing perspective of the Therapy process addresses negative stereotypes. I educate them on the benefits of Counseling. The Mayo Clinic shares that regular practice in a psychotherapy or talk routine can result many in many physical and mental benefits.
I often share with my clients that this process is like gifting your mind with the best present it could ever receive. A healthy mind can reward you with peace, joy, happiness, clarity, motivation, purpose, balance, love, etc. The possibilities are endless.
3. Laughter!
Yes, there are tears and scrunched up tissue at times, but there is probably more laughter in the therapy room than you would think. As a relationship builds between my clients and me, we are able to laugh together. While my clients have shared they enjoy my keen observations, reflective nature, and sometimes challenging inquiries, they also appreciate my quick-witted--sometimes goofy humor.
You want to be yourself with your Counselor/Therapist, and be able to feel intensity, but at the same time feel a light-hardheartedness and positive energy when you're in the therapy room. The therapy room is an uplifting place, and it is YOUR space--not mine.
4. I am a Witness to Your Growth.
This is absolute my favorite part of the Therapy process. I often see clients at their most desperate and lowest point in their lives. There are feelings of shame, unworthiness, sadness, anger, and hopelessness. But, over time, we work together so you can RISE. You are the one doing the work, and busting through blocks, barriers, and bullshit in your life. You are the one pursuing the better you, the stronger you, the resilient you. The greatest moments in Therapy is seeing the transformation of clients who suffered from deep Depression evolve from a place of loneliness and despair to a place of new-found hope.
I help clients break through Anxiety’s powerful grip, Depression’s stealthy nature, and Trauma’s untreated and painful wounds. Moreover, clients gain peace, personal insight, and an empowered mindset to move through life and future challenges.
5. Purpose
Connection has been a continuous theme in my life growing up in large immigrant Filipino-American family in Houston, Texas. I've been fortunate to be surrounded by a large extended immigrant family along with the communities throughout my upbringing, schooling, professional and family life. I value and treasure the relationships who made me a difference in my life, and all who make me a better Therapist.
I did not plan on becoming a Therapist. In fact, I never even considered this a career path until I was late in my twenties. After high school graduation, I wanted to become a Doctor (shock--Asian family), but then in college at the University of Texas at Austin, I was swayed to pursue business. I quickly realized after my introductory courses in the University level that medicine was not for me! I quickly switched majors and eventually graduated with a degree in Business. Dreams of Corporate America intrigued me, I thought that would be an ideal place where I could learn, grow, and thrive (code for make money--basically). Ha!---I was wrong. My first jobs in Corporate America included a disappointing run with Enron Corporation and other experiences with similar companies.
One day as a young twenty-something Financial Analyst at Enron Corporation, a Senior Engineer named Richard, was venting to me yet once again about his recent divorce struggles. Richard turned to me, "You know, Trish...what are you doing here? Have you ever thought of being a Therapist? You would be good at that." Maybe he was telling me I was not good at my job, but in any case, he planted the seed in my mind, and eventually after Enron went down, I had pursued this idea. Four years later, I enrolled in Graduate school to pursue Counseling. Thank you, Richard.
I really enjoy listening to people's life's stories. I naturally develop close relationships with people, getting to know them beyond a superficial level, and letting them know I am there for them. It's been an amazing, fulfilling journey both in the Educator and private practice world, and I hope to continue walking along people who need support, encouragement and empowerment in their lives. I consider myself so fortunate to wake up and feel passion in my work with people, and I see myself doing this for a very long time!
Tricia Miller, M. Ed., LPC is a Therapist, Educator, Certified Coach and Speaker. If you interested in Counseling services with Tricia Miller, please contact her at tricia@memorialcounselingcenter.com or 832-341-1870 or go to her website. She has been married for eleven years and has two boys in Houston, TX. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Business and received her Masters of Counselor Education from the University of Saint Thomas. She currently is in private practice at Memorial Counseling Center in West Houston. Tricia enjoys exercise, cooking, trying new restaurants and spending time with family and friends.
Tricia specializes working with adults facing Anxiety, Depression, Relationship Issues, Trauma and other Grown-Up Issues. In addition, she has a passion for Wellness and Healthy Living.