I Thought I’d Be a Therapist… Because I Give Good Advice 😂

 When I first heard about counselling psychology, I thought it was pretty simple. In my head, it meant being that one friend everyone goes to when they’re sad, confused, or overthinking at 2 a.m. And honestly… I was that friend. I’ve always been the “advice friend.” The one who listens to long rants, gives comforting replies, and tries to fix everyone’s problems (but doesn't know how to share her feelings😭). So naturally, I thought I’d make such a good therapist. I mean, I listen, I care, and I usually say the right things… right?

Well… not exactly 😂Once I actually started studying counselling psychology, I realised it’s way more than just giving advice. In fact, therapists don’t really give advice the way friends do and that was my first shock. As I started actually studying counselling psychology, I realised it’s so much more than just giving advice or being emotionally available. In fact therapists don’t even give advice the way friends do. That was my first shock.

Counselling psychology is not about telling someone what to do it’s about helping them understand themselves better. It involves skills like active listening, empathy, and creating a safe non judgmental space. But beyond that, it also requires professional training, ethical responsibility, and a deep understanding of human behaviour. I also learned that being a counsellor means being aware of your own biases and not letting your personal opinions affect the client. As a friend, I might say, “You deserve better, just leave them” But as a counsellor it’s not that simple. You guide the person to come to their own decisions rather than making it for them.

And then there’s the emotional side. Listening to people’s problems all the time isn’t easy it takes patience, boundaries, and a lot of self-control. So yeah, it’s not just about being nice and caring. This made me rethink my earlier assumption. Being a good friend and being a good counsellor are related, but they are definitely not the same thing. 

But honestly, this realisation didn’t discourage me it made me respect the field even more. It made me understand that becoming a counsellor is not just about having a “good heart,” but also about learning the right skills and approaches. So yes, I still want to be that person who helps others. But now I know it takes more than just giving good advice and being there for friends. It takes learning, unlearning, and growing.

And I guess… I’m just getting started.🫶



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