Woe to Woah: The Journey to Becoming a Therapist

Surviving Grad School: Managing My Mental Health, Caseload, and Life as a Counseling Student

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 [https://linktr.ee/Woetowoah]  If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, leave a review, or share it with someone who might need it!

Ep 6 – What Is “Healthy”? Breaking Down Early Counseling Theories

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 [https://www.instagram.com/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

Decoding Freud: The Father of Psychoanalysis & His Lasting Impact

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 [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.

Exploring the Many Paths to Becoming a Therapist | From LPC to LCSW and Beyond

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.

Surviving My First Week of Grad School: Future Therapist Edition

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