To all Budding Psychologists dreaming of working with children – here’s a reality check🙈 Yes, schools are one of the safest and most secure places to practice, providing stability, exposure, and a structured environment that NGOs and small clinics often can’t. But this security comes with its own weight – the early mornings, the constant balancing of roles, the extra responsibilities beyond counseling, and the silent debate of “Is this really the best model for psychologists?” Because let’s be honest – while schools provide us a platform, they also stretch us in directions we never imagined. Unlike private practice (which needs years of experience, resources, and credibility to build), the school system gives us access to kids instantly, but not always the space to only do counseling. So here I am, coffee in hand, reminding myself – it’s safe, it’s stable, but it’s also a struggle. And maybe one day, schools will realize the value of hiring psychologists just for counseling, without making us juggle everything else. Until then – here’s to all of us showing up anyway, because the kids need us. #mentalhealthmatters #sel #schoolcounselorlife #bachpankepanne #schoolcounselor #teachertok #childpsychology #schoolcounseling #counselorfollowcounselors #psychology #psychologystudent #psychologist #student
This captures the reality so well. Working in schools gives us incredible access to children, but it often comes at the cost of boundaries and focus. We end up being part counselor, part administrator, part crisis manager — all at once. Thank you for voicing what so many of us feel but rarely say aloud. 💬💛
I resonate with what you said. School ecosystem needs to create a space for counseling not just at the curative front but also at the preventive one. Factors like space and access to ethical supervision, continuing education through trainings and workshops, establishing healthy boundaries to minimize conflicting roles need to be talked about.