Ever feel like you missed your calling?

[nefertiti]

I don't tbink you can ever miss your calling nef, not at our age-ish.

Most people go through life not having their calling.

To be honest, I have had the same thoughts about being psychologist he last few years for the same reasons you stated. But what I came to as a middle ground was being a life coach, like a Tony Robbins type dude but specifically for men and the stuff they deal with with women, in business and fitness etc. That is my ultimate dream, but I will engage in that when I have the credentials. I need to have a wildly successful business, some more years of growth, and a large enough reserve to be able to launch a venture like that. I look at it as a chapter in my life in the future.

That's the thing, life moves in chapters and all that experience makes a difference.
Let me warn you though about psychology because after speaking to psychiatrists and psychologists in private practice I can tell you one thing. When you first start out especially with only a master's as opposed to a PHD, you're gonna most likely have to work with people with serious mental issues. The people in the field I've talked to says that is the worst part because these people are so far gone, and some can even be violent. A lot of them went to private practice because of that so that their patients were generally good, successful people just with certain problems. Just realize also that sometimes what you ideally imagine a job to be does not manage the reality of it. My realization in that aspect was when I was a personal trainer. Good in theory, not so much in practice and any job can be that way.

So it's never too late. The experiences you had led you to this point and making a career change now is not a bad thing in the slightest. You should embrace change because that is just the essence of life. It is constantly evolving, and you need to look at it as an exciting opportunity. Most people are not lucky enough to even be in a position to do what they love or are made for because they're too worry about feedin themselves or their kids.

That's where I want to be, actually. There are a lot of people who can deal with normal people with a few problems....very few people with the temperment, patience or desire to work with people in a critical state. I've done it....as a volunteer mostly, but in my real life too. I can't say for sure what ten years of that kind of work would do to me, but as I said in an earlier post, I'm definitely looking to get my hands dirty.

Nan - very good post. Not sure if I said this in my original, but that's why I stepped away from that path the first time. I was really worried that a) it would drain the life out of me and b) that I'd be no good to them because of lack of objectivity. it's something I still have to be careful about and consider once I'm in a more objective place in my own life. As digi said, I'm coming from an emotional place right now, but I keep coming back to this and feeling like this is what I should be doing. I think once I really put all my shit to rest and find peace in my own life, I'll have that seperation, but I've got to get there first, and I plan on getting there before I make any moves on this.

Pick, I have a fairly stable source of income from an investment and a good sized nest egg....I busted my ass and did extremely well for myself in my time in banking. Not enough to live off comfortably forever, but definitely enough to give me a lot of breathing room to go back to school, or do a passion job that doesn't pay well (like i've been doing lol...diving does NOT pay at all). I'm not one who has ever needed a whole lot of money to be happy, it's one reason I was able to save the way I did. I lived like a person making maybe a fifth of what I actually made, and I did mostly smart things with what was left over. Practicality is a player in the game, but a very small one.

 

[nefertiti]

I agree..how many hours did you spend on teh phone w/ me Nef? You've always made me laugh/smile.

You know you can call me even when you're not going through some shit....if you're ever bored haha

 

[nefertiti]

BTW, big thanks to everyone for the input so far. Really good stuff, from the practical advice, to the encouragement, and even the people advising caution. I wasn't sure what to expect when I laid it all out on the table like that, but this has been enormously helpful.

 

[chris302001]

That information didn't come from me dipshit. I told you my sources.

And what applies in Wisconsin might not apply on the national level.

lolololol yes master

 

[Smurfy]

That information didn't come from me dipshit. I told you my sources.

And what applies in Wisconsin might not apply on the national level.

lol dickpants

Look, its simply a fact that there are many more masters level clinicians doing therapy than clinicians with a PhD. My first five yrs in this business I worked on a national level and it doesn't matter what state you're in. That's why I asked you what "jobs" you were referring to when you said 90% require a PhD. But, you never answered.

 

[PICK3]

lol dickpants

Look, its simply a fact that there are many more masters level clinicians doing therapy than clinicians with a PhD. My first five yrs in this business I worked on a national level and it doesn't matter what state you're in. That's why I asked you what "jobs" you were referring to when you said 90% require a PhD. But, you never answered.

Does most insurance cover "talk therapy" at the same % they cover Psychiatry services (M.D.'s)?

 

[nefertiti]

Does most insurance cover "talk therapy" at the same % they cover Psychiatry services (M.D.'s)?

Personally speaking, my copay for both is the same. They are lumped together under mental health services.

 

[Smurfy]

Does most insurance cover "talk therapy" at the same % they cover Psychiatry services (M.D.'s)?

what do you mean covered at the same %age? like Nef said, the co-pay or co-insurace may be the same, sometimes it's not, it depends on what is being billed as well as how your benefit plan is structured. But obviously the reimbursement for a psychiatrist is higher than a therapist.

 

[PICK3]

what do you mean covered at the same %age? like Nef said, the co-pay or co-insurace may be the same, sometimes it's not, it depends on what is being billed actually. But obviously the reimbursement for a psychiatrist is higher than a therapist.

I think my ins requires pre-approval (prob from you ) for any mental health coverage.

I also believe my insurance covers Chiropractic and some "holistic" services, but not the same coverage/co-pay as traditional medicine.

 

[nefertiti]

I think my ins requires pre-approval (prob from you ) for any mental health coverage.

I also believe my insurance covers Chiropractic and some "holistic" services, but not the same coverage/co-pay as traditional medicine.

That varies carrier to carrier too...my copay for a chiropractor is the same as a reg doctor.