Woe to Woah: The Journey to Becoming a Therapist

Hey friends — welcome back to Woe to Woah!
Today, I’m checking in after surviving midterms during my first semester of grad school in my Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.

In this episode, I’m getting real about:

•  How life threw me curveballs and how I kept up with my caseload.
• What happened after the "honeymoon phase" of grad school wore off.
• The study strategies that saved me: sketch noting, flashcards, read-alouds, and flexible note-taking.
•  How positive self-talk helped protect my mental health.
•  Why learning to ask for help was a total game-changer.

Whether you’re starting your counseling journey, in the thick of grad school, or just curious about what this path looks like, I hope my story gives you some helpful tools and encouragement.

🔗 Resources I Mentioned:

• Sketch Noting techniques, artist mentioned: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Toryvea
• Therapist directories below

✨ Connect with me:

• Linktree for resources/insta/tiktok/etc: https://linktr.ee/Woetowoah

 If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, leave a review, or share it with someone who might need it!

In this episode of Woe to Woah, I’m diving into the foundational counseling theories that shaped modern mental health therapy. Whether you’re a fellow counseling student, future therapist, or just someone curious about how therapy works, this is your intro to how some of psychology’s OGs defined what it means to be “healthy.”

As a grad student in a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, I’m sharing what I’ve been learning in my Theories of Counseling class—including a little midterm prep (thanks for studying with me!). I’ll break down how early theorists like Freud, Adler, Rogers, Frankl, and others viewed mental health, dysfunction, and the path to personal growth. 💭✨

Here’s What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• 🧠 Freud & Psychoanalytic Theory: Inner conflict, unconscious desires, and how repression leads to anxiety.
• 👥 Adlerian Therapy: Striving for superiority and the importance of social connection.
• 🕊️ Existential Therapy (Frankl & Yalom): Finding meaning in life—even through suffering.
• 💡 Person-Centered Therapy (Carl Rogers): Congruence, authenticity, and self-actualization.
• 🧩 Gestalt Therapy (Fritz Perls): Letting go of the past and living in the present moment.
• 🌱 Relational-Cultural Therapy: Building connection, community, and identity—especially for folks who've felt disconnected or marginalized.

✨ Why This Episode Matters
I don’t just talk through these theories—I reflect on how they relate to my own experiences, especially as a queer woman in a counseling program. Some of these ideas really hit home, and I’m excited to share how they’re shaping the way I understand both myself and the work I’ll do with clients.

💬 I Want to Hear from You
Which theory resonated most with you? Want me to do a deeper dive on any of them? DM me or drop a comment on Instagram or TikTok: @woetowoah

🎓 This Episode Is for You If You're:

• A counseling or psychology student
• A new clinician or therapy intern
• Someone who’s therapy-curious
• Interested in how therapists learn to help people

📌 Keywords:
mental health counseling theories, Freud psychoanalysis, Adlerian therapy, existential therapy, Frankl, Carl Rogers person-centered, Gestalt therapy explained, relational cultural theory, graduate school counseling podcast, therapy student podcast, what is mental health, how therapists learn theories

Welcome back to Woe to Woe! In this episode, I'm diving deep into the world of Sigmund Freud, one of psychology’s most controversial yet influential figures. Whether you admire him or find his theories questionable, there’s no denying Freud's impact on modern therapy and everyday psychology.

Join me, Savanna, as I take you along on my journey as a master's student in mental health counseling. I'll break down Freud’s fundamental ideas, from the id, ego, and superego to his more debated psychosexual development theory. I’ll explore how Freud’s work laid the foundation for later psychological theories, the therapeutic techniques he pioneered, and why his legacy continues to spark discussion today.

Key Topics Covered:

• Freud’s early life and personal experiences that shaped his theories
• The basics of psychoanalysis and key psychological structures (id, ego, superego)
• How unconscious thoughts influence behavior
• The controversial psychosexual development theory
• Freud’s Blank Screen Approach and transference in therapy
• Why Freud’s work remains relevant despite its limitations
• How later theorists like Carl Jung and Erik Erikson adapted or rejected his ideas

Resources I Mentioned:

• My Theories in Counseling class materials (textbook: Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy)
• Other psychology podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7lYZaH27WIM05aVSko7FX4?si=HqaHZqeiQgO0Fvt4HQ82gA

Join the Conversation!
Do you have a Freud fun fact or a personal take on his theories? Drop a comment or reach out to me on social media! Let's keep the discussion going.

🔗 Follow & Subscribe: Don’t miss future deep dives into mental health theories! Subscribe to Woe to Woe and follow me on social media for updates.

In today’s episode, I dive deep into the different pathways to becoming a therapist. From Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) to Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), and beyond, there are many options for those passionate about mental health. I share insights from my own experiences, including how working in therapy private practices during my undergrad shaped my journey and how I’m continuing to learn about new options, like occupational therapy, as a pathway to providing therapy.

If you’re thinking about becoming a therapist or exploring mental health careers, this episode is a great resource for understanding licensure, education, and the steps involved in becoming a licensed professional. As I mention in the episode, the main goal of this podcast is to build a community where we can share valuable information about mental health. If you know of other career paths or licensing opportunities in the mental health field, I would love to hear from you!

Key Takeaways:

• Different paths to becoming a therapist: Explore licensures like LPC, LMFT, LCSW, and even how occupational therapy fits into mental health.
• Education and training: Understand the process of earning a master’s degree, completing internships, and getting licensed.
• State-specific licensure requirements: Learn about the variations in licensing processes based on where you live.
• The role of internships: How internships shape your professional growth and what to expect in terms of workload and supervision.
• The importance of accreditation: Why it matters to choose an accredited graduate program when pursuing a mental health career.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• LPC, LMFT, LCSW Licensing Information: Learn more about the specific requirements for each licensure in Texas and beyond.
• Accreditation Boards: Discover the key accreditation bodies for graduate programs in mental health (e.g., KCREP, COAMFTE, CSWE).
• Internship Placement Tips: Understand how to find and secure an internship as part of your professional development in the therapy field.
• Mental Health Career Paths: Explore diverse options beyond traditional therapy routes, such as occupational therapy and other emerging fields in mental health.

Community Building!

• Are you considering a career in therapy or already on your journey? Share your experiences or questions about becoming a therapist in the comments or on our community forum!
• Have you learned about any other therapy career paths or licensing options? Feel free to share them with us to continue growing this community!
• Subscribe to the podcast for more insights on mental health careers, therapy licensure, and professional development.

In this episode of Woe to Woe, I share my whirlwind first week of grad school. It was a chaotic mix of a freak snowstorm, reading the wrong chapters, and catching the flu, but I learned valuable lessons about persistence and self-care. I also give an overview of my classes in mental health counseling, including Human Development, Theories in Counseling, and Research in Counseling. I offer practical tips for navigating grad school, discuss my studying and note-taking strategies, and reflect on my experiences so far. Join me for an honest and inspiring look into my first month of grad school.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome 

00:59 The Snowstorm and Class Cancellations 

01:32 First Day Challenges 

04:11 The Flu Strikes 

05:49 Overview of Classes and Study Plans 

06:47 First Impressions of Classes

11:47 Reflections on Grad School Experience 

14:48 Conclusion

In this episode of Woe to Woe, I’m sharing my personal journey to becoming a therapist. I’ll take you through my experiences in both my own mental health journey and my professional development, talking about how each step helped shape my path to therapy. From working in a child development research lab to discovering my passion for one-on-one therapy work, I’ll explain why therapy is the perfect fit for me.

Here are some key takeaways from this episode:

• My "Why": I talk about the pivotal moments that led me to choose therapy over research and why I ultimately realized that working directly with people was what I truly wanted to do.
• The Power of Personal Therapy: I share why I believe that every future therapist should go through their own therapy journey. It’s helped me understand myself better, manage my emotions, and recognize my biases—and I think it’s crucial to do this work before helping others.
• My Experience in a Private Practice: I reflect on my time working at a private practice, where I was able to assist with scheduling and support clients as they started their therapy journey. Working behind the scenes gave me valuable insight into the therapy process and the mental health field as a whole.
• Lifelong Learning in Therapy: One thing I absolutely love about becoming a therapist is that it’s a career of constant growth. With ongoing education and opportunities to evolve, I feel like I’ll never stop learning—and that’s something that excites me.
• Should Future Therapists Be Required to Go to Therapy?: At the end of the episode, I ask a big question: Should therapists be required to experience therapy before working with clients? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this, so be sure to listen and join the conversation!

Woe to Woe is your behind-the-scenes look at my journey through the mental health field as I navigate grad school and work toward becoming a therapist. I’m sharing real stories, personal insights, and lessons learned along the way.

Listen to this episode for a deep dive into my journey, the challenges of becoming a therapist, and why I believe therapy is so much more than just a career—it’s a transformative personal experience.

Resources & Links:

• Follow me on instagram, tiktok, or youtube for updates and behind-the-scenes content: @woetowoah
• Buisness Contact: [email protected]
• Don’t miss Episode 4, where I break down the different paths to becoming a therapist and how much time and effort it truly takes.
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Woetowoah

Join the Conversation: I want to hear from you! Comment below or connect with me on social media and let me know your thoughts: Should future therapists be required to experience therapy before treating clients? Let’s chat—I can’t wait to hear your perspective!

#TherapistJourney #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapistInTheMaking #SelfDiscovery #TherapyJourney #MentalHealthMatters #GradSchoolLife #BecomingATherapist #LifelongLearning #TherapistsNeedTherapy

Welcome to Woe to Woe! In this episode, I’m sharing why I decided to start this podcast and what you can expect as I take you along on my journey to becoming a therapist. Whether you’re thinking about entering the mental health field, curious about how therapists are made, or just want to learn more about mental health in general, this podcast is here for you!

Here’s what I cover in this episode:

• Why I’m Starting This Podcast: I’m beginning my master’s in mental health counseling this spring, but my journey in the mental health field has already spanned nearly four years. I’ve worked in various roles at therapy private practices, from office assistant to office manager to insurance billing. These roles have given me a unique perspective on the world of mental health, and I’m excited to share that knowledge with you.
• Behind-the-Scenes of Becoming a Therapist: Over the years, I’ve had the chance to talk to therapists at different stages of their careers—from interns to fully licensed professionals—and I was surprised by how little information there is about how someone actually becomes a therapist. This podcast is my way of shedding light on the process: what therapists learn, how they get licensed, and everything in between.
• Making Mental Health Digestible: I know from my own experience that it can be difficult to find mental health content that isn’t too technical or geared toward people with advanced degrees. A big goal of this podcast is to make complex topics more accessible to the everyday listener, breaking things down in a way that anyone, whether new to mental health or already interested, can understand.
• Learning as I Go: As I dive deeper into my master’s program, I want to help you learn with me! Most episodes will break down topics I’m studying in ways that make them easier to grasp. Plus, teaching what I’m learning helps reinforce my own knowledge too!
• Humanizing Therapists: A huge focus for me with this podcast is breaking down the barriers between therapists and clients. For a long time, therapists were expected to maintain a “blank slate” approach, but I believe in the importance of humanizing the therapist. Therapists are people too, with lives, struggles, and experiences. I want to help bridge the gap between clients and therapists by showing you the real, human side of this profession.
• What to Expect Moving Forward: My first few episodes will be about my experiences before starting grad school—how I accidentally gave myself a leg up working in therapy practices and the knowledge I’ve gained along the way. After that, I’ll dive deeper into the topics I’m learning in grad school and break them down for you, week by week.

If you’re interested in mental health, whether from a professional or personal perspective, I’d love for you to stick around. Follow me on social media (links below) for a glimpse into the daily life of a grad student on her way to becoming a therapist.

Resources & Links:

• Follow me on Instagram, Tiktok, or Youtube for updates and behind-the-scenes content: @woetowoah
• Buisness Contact: [email protected]
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Woetowoah

Join the Conversation: If you’re curious about the mental health field, have questions about therapy, or want to connect, feel free to reach out! I’d love to hear your thoughts and answer any questions you might have.

#MentalHealthJourney #TherapistInTheMaking #MentalHealthAwareness #GradSchoolLife #TherapistJourney #BehindTheScenes #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapistLife #HumanizingTherapists #MentalHealthEducation