When I started my Counselling Diploma program, I had a good idea of who I wanted to work with after I graduated. When my Program Advisor asked me, “What kind of people do you want to work with?” I responded with the following:
“When I graduate, I would like to build a private counselling practice. This practice would be full time. I would offer counselling in person (face-to-face), online (Skype) and other possible forms.
I see myself working with pro athletes. Assisting them in the adjustment from moving up in ranks, coming back from injury, and anything else they may be struggling with.”
As you can read by my description, even before I was done my schooling, I was already looking at who my ideal clients were going to be.
Volunteer experience
After three months of graduating from school, I met a pro athlete from the BC Lions for lunch and he guided me in the right direction. I took his advice to heart and to this day, I will always remember how much this meeting shaped my career.
Now, it was time for the next step: putting myself out there. I contacted the General Manager of the North Delta Blue Jays. We met and explained that I was looking for volunteer work with athletes to gain experience. I became a short-term intern where I worked with the athletes both as a group and individually on goal setting, visualization, and many other skills. I worked with the team for most of the season until I needed to make a choice to leave due to demands at school.
Practicum experience
While in school, I learned about many topics that peeked my interested. I became interested in mental wellness, reframing, and relationships and dating. I was also drawn toward group therapy and teaching.
I was lucky to have had the opportunity to do my practicum at the college where I took my program, even though I knew there were no long-term opportunities. Over the next three months, I taught counselling at the college and watched students start their new journey of discovery, have their ah-ha moments, and change to become better versions of themselves. Witnessing these events filled my heart and gave me joy. Now, I thought, I had found my passion and my purpose, a dream come true. Even though I was teaching and feeling fulfilled, I knew there was more for me to do. I just did not know what that would look like or what that would be.
Counselling in the world of sports
After practicum, I started to invest more time into amateur sports. I became the Head Umpire for South Delta Fastpitch. This was a place that I could use all my skills. Teaching the umpires how to handle situations, assisting them with life problems, and helping with anything else that may prevent them from being successful as umpires. Coaches started to notice the changes in the umpires after I began working with them and I started receiving calls to work with youth who were dealing with anxiety or depression.
Working with youth is something I had never considered. However, I embraced the challenge and took a risk that I will never regret. Working with these new clients gave me a new perspective on living life. I have seen my clients embrace their strengths and acknowledge when they need help. I find that working with youth is rewarding in so many ways.
I have several supporters that have seen the work I do and they have encouraged me to branch out and incorporate my lessons into the fastpitch world and have been asked to present lessons at winter clinics for the young ballplayers. These workshops range from listening skills to teamwork. One of my favourite lessons is about kindness; seeing how the youth speak and listen to each other and how they encourage each other is a dream come true.
Did I achieve the goal that I had at the beginning of my studies? Yes, I did. Reality may look a little bit different, however, the essence of the work is the same.
If you know going into the counselling program who you would like to work with, my only advice is to remain open to possibilities. Your dream will come true, it might just look slightly different.
Check out a video of our Counselling Therapist Program.
