As a psychotherapist, I have the privilege of offering therapy not only to the public but also to early-career therapists and graduate students pursuing degrees in counselling psychology or social work. For many, becoming a psychotherapist or mental health counsellor is a challenging journey, often marked by self-doubt and the heavy weight of responsibility, even for those with strong support systems.

To inspire and support those considering this path, I reached out to several therapists and counsellors across North America to share their perspectives. I asked:

What key insight or practical advice would you offer someone embarking on a career in psychotherapy, counselling, or related mental health fields to inspire and prepare them for success?

Their thoughtful replies offer practical wisdom for the next generation.

Jenifer Freedy, Canada: “A career in mental health must involve doing your own deep work so you can show up authentically and humanly for your clients. To truly hold space, you must know your growing areas.”

Darcy Harris, Canada: “The most important piece(s) of advice have to do with yourself as a therapist. I can’t stress enough how important it is to do your own therapy work and to have a regular practice of mindful self-reflection that allows you the opportunity to self-correct, clarify your expectations, and be grounded in your own humanity. The second piece of advice would be to have a regular practice of self-compassion that helps you to be open to experiences while knowing where the boundaries need to be set.”

Kaytee Gillis, USA: “I wish that our field had had more discussions about some of the more difficult work that comes up in the field. There's almost this stigma that we should not have any difficulties with any clients........

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