As a young therapist, I entered the field of mental health services with a very optimistic perspective. I was ready to help people, to execute my skills and abilities. As a helper, I wanted to make a difference with as many people as I could.
I was naïve to expect that all clients would have the same eagerness to work with me as I did them. What I soon discovered was that there seemed to be a stigma that existed surrounding young therapists’ and their abilities to provide mental health services. More and more frequently I was faced with questions like, “are you old enough?” or “can I ask what age you are,” and even “are you still in school?” As a therapist that had done a lot of work to feel prepared and ready to enter the field, I definitely wasn’t prepared for questions like these. And so, on came the doubt – am I somehow less capable, because of my age?
Don’t get me wrong. The large majority of clients that reached out weren’t even slightly phased by the concept of working with a young therapist. In fact, several of my current clients specifically sought out a young therapist – someone they could relate to and be comfortable with. For them, age was just a number, not an indicator of therapeutic capabilities.
But at the end of the day, I get it. I can’t say I wouldn’t have any trepidations if the roles were reversed.
Let’s take doctors, for example. When we go to the doctors with a health concern, being met by a student intern can cause additional nerves or anxiety. We might ask ourselves, does this person know what they’re doing? We are trusting this person with our medical health, and rightfully so, we want to make sure they will fulfill the job correctly. In actuality, these new interns are incredibly intelligent, capable and motivated to provide the right care to their patients. Patients also tend to overlook the fact that these young doctors are surrounded by a team of well-versed, experienced doctors who ethically and professionally are there to help, if needed. The care of the patient is never compromised.
This same concept can apply to young therapists. While we are no longer interns, we still bring forward that same level of intelligence and education and a motivation and tenacity to get-to-work and help – the way we were trained to. Our clients may not realize that just like doctors, we are required to obtain adequate amounts of supervision or peer support too – we aren’t just blindly trying to help them without the tools or support necessary to do so. The needs of the client are our core concern, regardless of our age, or theirs.
Of course, I want my clients to be comfortable in knowing that their therapist is capable and well-equipped to help them, despite my young age. I think a lot of work still needs to be done in terms of ageism and its’ presence within the workplace – especially in the fields often viewed as more ‘prestigious.’
So I asked myself – what are the benefits of attending therapy with a young therapist. Everyone know that experience is a good thing, but what about the benefits of someone who is newer to the field?
Benefits of working with a young therapist.
Fresh perspective
Working with a young therapist means they have most likely recently finished their education. Young professionals in the field of mental health services are well-versed on the latest and most effective forms of treatment and mental health intervention. They bring forth a vitality and eagerness to help their clients.
Relatability
Younger therapists can often do a great job of relating to younger clients. Whether it be school stress, societal pressures, young relationships or navigating parent relationships as an adult – often, young therapists have very recently experienced the same thing, we get it.
Ethical Responsibility
The job we conduct as therapists requires that we have an ethical responsibility to maintain the best interest of the client. This means that we cannot ethically take on a client case that is not suited to our abilities. If we can’t help you, we will help you find someone that can.
Bottom Line
This isn’t to say that seeing a young therapist to be considered superior to therapy with any other therapist. The truth is, each client requires different capabilities, techniques and therapeutic approaches, that make different therapists more or less suited to their needs. Further, all clients are entitled to their preferences. At the end of the day, knowing what I know now, I think it’s important that fellow young therapists don’t take it personally when clients inquire about age and abilities. I have learned to respect the preferences of all potential clients that come my way, while simultaneously working to reduce the stigma and assumptions that exist surrounding young therapists in the field. I am here to answer clients’ questions, concerns or misunderstandings. Questions about my age aren’t indicative of a flaw or inability but simply part of the clients’ process in determining the best fit for them.
While I may not have decades of experience under my belt, I am embracing my abilities as a young therapist, and know that I bring something very valuable to the table.