The Human Side of Becoming a Therapist

Before stepping into the field, psychology often feels neat and logical, wrapped in theories, models, and structured interventions. But..

Something changes the moment we meet a patient face to face. Suddenly, psychology is no longer abstract. It's alive, complex, and deeply human.

Self Awareness in Psychology: From Books to the Therapy Room

This blog post is a reflection for beginner therapists and psychology students standing at the threshold of practice. It's about what happens when theory meets the rawness of real lives: what we gain, what we lose, and how we grow. This journey requires deep self-awareness in psychology and an understanding of how the therapist-patient relationship fundamentally shapes our professional development.

When Human Contact Takes the Lead: Empathy in Therapy Over Theory

Unsurprisingly, the field differs profoundly from the theoretical approach. We begin to discover our limits; both personal and professional. In practice, human connection takes precedence over psychological theories. Empathy in therapy becomes our compass, helping us navigate the complexity each patient brings.

Still, we must tread carefully. Empathy in therapy should not slip into sympathy, or worse, emotional fusion. A healthy distance is essential, enough to remain grounded, yet not cold. This balance allows us to help effectively, without being overwhelmed or rendered helpless by the emotional weight of another. The delicate balance is at the heart of effective therapy practice.

My First Case: A Turning Point in the Therapist-Patient Relationship

The first case I followed transformed how I viewed the therapist-patient relationship. I discovered something essential: this relationship is never one-directional. The patient teaches us not just about their world, but also about ourselves. This experience deepened my self-awareness in psychology in ways no textbook could.

In difficult moments of my life, I have often remembered his words, spoken through tears and pain, yet full of hope: "Life is not going to stop, and it will not always be so hard or so cruel…" He repeated this, even as he recounted unspeakable suffering. And yet, he endured.

In those moments, it was he who held me. He gave me hope, his words soothed my pain, and his resilience lit the way through my own therapeutic vulnerability. That is why I chose to write this first reflection; for him, and for all those moments that remind us of the shared humanity in our work.

Internships: A School of Humility and Self-Awareness in Psychology

Internships are often our first real exposure to the field, and they play a crucial role in reshaping our mindset. They strip away the illusion of control that theory can give us. We realize that knowledge is not omnipotence and that real therapy practice demands humility.

We learn that we won't always have the answers. That working on ourselves is ongoing. That being a psychologist means constantly facing the limitations and fragilities of being human. This is where self awareness in psychology becomes not just beneficial, but essential. And yet, we continue. We persevere, with an open and critical mind, fueled by hope and the desire to do good.

The Imprint of Each Encounter: Lessons for Therapy Practice and Mental Health Workshops

Every patient leaves something with us: a thought, a lesson, a trigger, a memory. Each encounter stirs the waters of our own psyche. It's up to us to decide what to do with this internal movement; how to process it, learn from it, or hold it gently. The process of reflection and growth is something that mental health workshops often address, helping therapists navigate their own therapeutic vulnerability.

Because therapy is not just a professional exchange. It is the meeting of two psyches, two bodies, two stories. For 45 minutes, two human beings sit together to try to understand, to live, and to grow. The therapist patient relationship is, above all else, what makes our work both difficult and profoundly meaningful.

So to those stepping into this field: remain open. Let the theories guide you, but let the human experience move you. Stay humble, stay curious, and above all, stay connected to the reason you chose this path; because that is what will carry you through the hardest and most beautiful moments of this work. 

Embrace therapeutic vulnerability, develop your empathy in therapy, and never stop cultivating self awareness in psychology through mental health workshops, supervision, or personal reflection, continue growing both as a professional and as a human being in your therapy practice.

Interested in learning more? Yara suggestion on more about the topic here.