Comments on: What Being a Therapist Means to Me

By: William Berry

William Berry — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:11:56 +0000

Thank you Michelle.
Although I self disclosed some here, I am saving some for the book I’ve been working on, with Dr. Ramnath editing. There is way too much self disclosure in there, but hopefully it serves its purpose.
In case you hadn’t heard, Jasset also passed the exam (we studied together) and Lilly takes it in November (and of course she is as worried as you’d expect from her).
It is always good to hear from you, and hope all is well.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:05:38 +0000

Bill– Thanks so much for writing your story. Sharing our stories, our histories, is so important in the quest of helping each other along our own paths. I think that truly the only way to help another is to lead by example. Some do this through explicit self-disclosure, others merely by the way they are. I believe that both methods have their time and place, whether in or out of the therapeutic relationship, classoroom, etc.

Personally, I loved reading about your history and how you grew up. There are bits there that I didn’t know about you, and I feel honored that you shared your story with us.

You are doing such great work, and are really blazing a great example for us all. Keep it up! It works!

By the way, our class of 07 rocks! Love ya!

By: William Berry

William Berry — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:20:39 +0000

Thank you for reading.

By: Kay

Kay — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:35:29 +0000

At 26 I have yet to obtain my BA in psychology and for the most part I tend to get down when I see how long its taken me to reach my goal in becoming a counseling psychologist. But after reading this, I am only inspired by it. It is stories like these that make me realize that it doesn’t matter how soon we get the job done, rather that we get it done. Thank you for this!

By: William Berry

William Berry — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:20:24 +0000

Thank you for reading and commenting.

By: Grms

Grms — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:16:12 +0000

I read this and wanted to thank you for sharing it. For just placing it out there, I know that along the way through all the trials and challenges that is what has made you such a great therapist and teacher. Some days are harder then others to be a therapist, for me, but overall it is rewarding. Thanks again, for being so open and honest.

By: William Berry

William Berry — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:24:00 +0000

Thank you sweety.

By: Alexi

Alexi — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:11:35 +0000

This is a really interesting article and not just because I get to read about what my Dad was doing at my age (although a lot of it I didn’t know and it was interesting to read). I know that you truly love psychology and your job. You’re fortunate to have that because a lot of people sacrifice their happiness for bigger salaries and hate their jobs. It’s important to do what you love and love what you do and if you aren’t, than I don’t know who is!

By: William Berry

William Berry — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:49:53 +0000

Thank you for the compliment. I actually plan on including it in the book, although I will fill in some of the stuff I skimmed over, to more fully explain where I come from.
As for what I do for others, I actually maintain the stance what I do is more for me than it is for them. I realize people are helped, but that is not my motive (although it was initially many years ago). My motive is my love for psychology and the experience of truly being with another and discussing life.
Thanks for the comment.

By: Chet

Chet — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:34:17 +0000

That was great, Will. Something I probably couldn’t get out of you over a game of football.

Jokes aside, that was really great. I applaud your stance and what you have chosen to do for others as a career. As you are aware, I was once seeking a similar goal. However, the thought of becoming a part of peoples’ sad stories was too much for me, at least at the time. But, hats off to you, Will.

By the way, this reads like a great forward to a book…