A Decade as a Psychotherapist

Personal Reflections on the Joy and Struggles

aisletalk 35

It is surreal to me that I have been practicing mental health counseling for the past ten years. Ten years of building this career; one that I entered not knowing where I’d go, where I’d end up, or if I could do the work that I genuinely want to do. Throughout these years, it’s looked like explaining to my parents why I want to pursue psychology, working in the confines of hospital systems or with child protective services, and letting go of biases like quality therapy is only for White people. 

This work is not at all easy. At times, you can’t fathom the amount of emotional pain someone is in. 

In 2015, I began my journey as a clinical intern in a community mental health clinic, listening to people share about their childhood traumas and hardships, while simultaneously, learning how to apply counseling theories to the real world. During that time, I tried to envision what my ideal work would look like.

Since then, I’ve worked at a high school mental health program, more community clinics, hospital systems, and in programs for children and maternal care. Throughout the years, it’s become more and more evident that while mental health counseling is such rewarding work, it also brings burnout, fatigue, and vicarious pain. This work is not at all easy. At times, you can’t fathom the amount of emotional pain someone is in. 

My clients have come from all walks of life – sometimes, they are immigrants, sometimes they are Chinese American or they’re Black and Latina, or they’re Bangladeshi (just like me!). They can be queer and proud, and still scared to talk about their partners to their families. Sometimes, they’re people in interfaith relationships and want to make it work so badly. Other times, they’re people who are scared of raising children with different religions in the home. Sometimes, my clients are people who are articulating their emotions for the very first time and they’re also people who want to break generational cycles. The list goes on. One thing is for certain – this work affirms and honors my existing values on justice, equity, and the type of world I envision. 

pexels george chambers 413080139 24355076

I, sometimes, get the privilege of watching clients graduate college, get married, let go of toxic relationships, enter new relationships, get promotions, get new jobs, and learn new hobbies. I also get the privilege of witnessing someone crying after losing a parent, someone ruminating on an abusive relationship and how this relates to their fear of dating, someone talking about how to set boundaries with a parent who has been hurtful repeatedly, or sharing about struggling to get out of bed to start their wedding projects for the day.

Every now and then, you’re also affected by the same systems, struggles, and global issues your clients are impacted by. This is also work where you have to have hope – hope that people will change, that they will become unstuck, and that they can reach their fullest potential, whatever that may be. Working in mental health can bring you a sense of pride from being part of someone’s journey.  

One thing is for certain – this work affirms and honors my existing values on justice, equity, and the type of world I envision.

aisletalk 48

And in spite of thinking that it couldn’t get better than this, I wanted to do more. Rather, I wanted to do something different than working with my own clients. That’s where supervising counseling interns comes in. It has unlocked a new level of fulfillment for me. I now get to witness counseling students experience therapy with people outside of a classroom, ask the tough questions, and grow as they come into their own style and personhood as a therapist. Teaching, guiding, and walking alongside new counselors has brought me joy (along with some stress – I am a recovering perfectionist after all)!

Being in multiple roles, whether as a therapist, as a mental health program developer, or as a supervisor, has deepened my understanding of what I already found to be one of the most important jobs in the world.

Cheers to ten years and more!

AisleTalk offers therapy and coaching for your relationship’s biggest moments — from breakups and new beginnings to wedding stress, premarital conversations, and the everyday work of balancing family, life, love, and loss. Even the most meaningful seasons can carry unexpected strain. If Farzana’s work resonates with you and you’d like to learn more about her, we invite you to book a free intro call to learn more about working together. 

Farzana-Rahman

Farzana Rahman

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A Decade as a Psychotherapist

Personal Reflections on the Joy and Struggles

aisletalk 35

It is surreal to me that I have been practicing mental health counseling for the past ten years. Ten years of building this career; one that I entered not knowing where I’d go, where I’d end up, or if I could do the work that I genuinely want to do. Throughout these years, it’s looked like explaining to my parents why I want to pursue psychology, working in the confines of hospital systems or with child protective services, and letting go of biases like quality therapy is only for White people. 

This work is not at all easy. At times, you can’t fathom the amount of emotional pain someone is in. 

In 2015, I began my journey as a clinical intern in a community mental health clinic, listening to people share about their childhood traumas and hardships, while simultaneously, learning how to apply counseling theories to the real world. During that time, I tried to envision what my ideal work would look like.

Since then, I’ve worked at a high school mental health program, more community clinics, hospital systems, and in programs for children and maternal care. Throughout the years, it’s become more and more evident that while mental health counseling is such rewarding work, it also brings burnout, fatigue, and vicarious pain. This work is not at all easy. At times, you can’t fathom the amount of emotional pain someone is in. 

My clients have come from all walks of life – sometimes, they are immigrants, sometimes they are Chinese American or they’re Black and Latina, or they’re Bangladeshi (just like me!). They can be queer and proud, and still scared to talk about their partners to their families. Sometimes, they’re people in interfaith relationships and want to make it work so badly. Other times, they’re people who are scared of raising children with different religions in the home. Sometimes, my clients are people who are articulating their emotions for the very first time and they’re also people who want to break generational cycles. The list goes on. One thing is for certain – this work affirms and honors my existing values on justice, equity, and the type of world I envision. 

pexels george chambers 413080139 24355076

I, sometimes, get the privilege of watching clients graduate college, get married, let go of toxic relationships, enter new relationships, get promotions, get new jobs, and learn new hobbies. I also get the privilege of witnessing someone crying after losing a parent, someone ruminating on an abusive relationship and how this relates to their fear of dating, someone talking about how to set boundaries with a parent who has been hurtful repeatedly, or sharing about struggling to get out of bed to start their wedding projects for the day.

Every now and then, you’re also affected by the same systems, struggles, and global issues your clients are impacted by. This is also work where you have to have hope – hope that people will change, that they will become unstuck, and that they can reach their fullest potential, whatever that may be. Working in mental health can bring you a sense of pride from being part of someone’s journey.  

One thing is for certain – this work affirms and honors my existing values on justice, equity, and the type of world I envision.

aisletalk 48

And in spite of thinking that it couldn’t get better than this, I wanted to do more. Rather, I wanted to do something different than working with my own clients. That’s where supervising counseling interns comes in. It has unlocked a new level of fulfillment for me. I now get to witness counseling students experience therapy with people outside of a classroom, ask the tough questions, and grow as they come into their own style and personhood as a therapist. Teaching, guiding, and walking alongside new counselors has brought me joy (along with some stress – I am a recovering perfectionist after all)!

Being in multiple roles, whether as a therapist, as a mental health program developer, or as a supervisor, has deepened my understanding of what I already found to be one of the most important jobs in the world.

Cheers to ten years and more!

AisleTalk offers therapy and coaching for your relationship’s biggest moments — from breakups and new beginnings to wedding stress, premarital conversations, and the everyday work of balancing family, life, love, and loss. Even the most meaningful seasons can carry unexpected strain. If Farzana’s work resonates with you and you’d like to learn more about her, we invite you to book a free intro call to learn more about working together. 

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