My Journey to Becoming a Clinician
Seven years ago, after spending a year growing The Angry Millennial Show podcast and recording 100 episodes and traveling the country, I decided to hit pause to pursue a new career in the health and wellness field. I searched what I could do without a degree, since my two degrees up until that point were in other fields (Advertising & Business Administration) and came across Peer Recovery Specialist.
Then came the trainings, cold emailing people to get 20 minutes of their time to pick their brain, volunteering on various boards and councils, and landing my first job at a nonprofit as a case manager. Going from making $70k a year in my old career to $30k, now with a family was not an easy pill to swallow, but I knew I had to start somewhere. Quickly though, I knew the harsh reality: I had to go back to school to get a clinical Master’s degree and become a counselor in order to make an actual living.
While I started the program at Northwestern, I worked my way up to an Executive Director position at another nonprofit. More autonomy and resume credibility, but sadly not much more money salary-wise; but that’s OK, as it aligned with my larger goals, so it was a sacrifice I took on with the guidance from my wife and partner.
Fast-forward two years later and I finally graduated. A few months before graduation, I took on a new role with the State in the Behavioral Health Administration. My mentor who I met all those years ago at my first Peer Recovery Specialist training, was now my supervisor. I also got back into teaching again, this time teaching psychology at Towson University and was working part-time as a therapist at a clinic in Baltimore city. I felt like it was the beginning of an amazing new chapter in my career and life.
The last two years has been filled with lots of amazing memories, many that I'll never forget. And with that, a new chapter has come: after lots of quiet reflection and contemplation, this week I have made the decision to put in my notice at the BHA and pursue my private practice, Grey Matter Counseling & Consulting, full-time and go back to betting on myself for the first time in seven long years.
So with that said, if you know anyone looking for therapy, coaching, or consulting services, please don’t hesitate to send them to my website: www.greymattercounseling.com.
