What Shaped Me as a Therapist
My path to becoming a therapist started with a long-standing curiosity about why people do what they do. That interest pulled me toward economics in high school and university, but it was an elective that changed everything. I spotted “Introduction to Psychology” in a course handbook, thought “seems interesting,” and on the first day, I fell completely in love. I declared a psychology major almost immediately.
As I learned more, it became clearer that the most meaningful way to use that knowledge was to help people directly. After graduating, I worked in crime analysis, providing insights to help prevent crime. Then a serendipitous office transfer placed me next to the Victim and Witness Support Unit which sparked an “aha” moment: therapy was the most hands-on way to help people. A month later, I enrolled in a master’s program in counselling psychology, and I’ve never looked back.
My Early Days in Practice
Fresh out of school, I thought my job was to “fix” things, which is a very textbook, mechanic-like outlook. But once you sit across from an actual person with a real, complicated life, that approach falls apart quickly. My goal stayed the same, but my mindset shifted. I began seeing myself as a copilot rather than a problem-solver. In practice, what this means to me is being someone who shares the journey and learns alongside my clients.
What I’ve Learned Throughout my Career
The biggest lesson? Never lose sight of the human being in front of you. Someone once said, “Show me that you care before you tell me what you know,” and that still guides me.
Another major shift came after reading Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. I stopped focusing solely on what clients wanted to move away from and began emphasizing what they wanted to move toward. That forward-looking lens brings hope, and challenges become temporary obstacles on the path to the life someone wants. Positive psychology is something I’m excited to keep exploring in my profession.
How This Work Has Shaped Me
Therapy has shown me that people often carry more than you can see. It’s made me talk less, listen more, and pay closer attention to what’s beneath the surface.
For Anyone Considering Therapy
There’s no pressure to commit. You’re in control of your journey, and your therapist will work with you to achieve your goals. I highly recommend that you try it, see how it feels, and remember that you can step back anytime.
Looking Ahead
My work is increasingly focused on supporting people who are neurodivergent, which closely aligns with my research interests. As I continue to grow in my career, I hope my research and clinical practice will keep enriching each other, strengthening the impact I can have in people’s lives.
Being Part of the Layla Community
When I first moved to Canada, I worried about fitting into a new culture, and the complexities of finding work. Layla quickly eased those fears, and the community here made me feel at home and confident in my practice. From the platform to the people, Layla truly aims to match clients with the right therapist, and it shows.
