a rodney dangerfield moment
Music: American Idol
Many years ago before her sister Janice passed away, I had the opportunity to meet Joyce Hocker at a convention in Miami. We spent the better part of the USF "party" talking about her career. As a full professor at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Joyce began coursework in psychology toward a doctorate. Eventually, she began to work on qualification as a Jungian analyst and started a small, part-time practice in addition to teaching communication studies courses. Despite the continuing success of her co-authored textbook on interpersonal conflict, and as a result of politics, academic tedium, and really enjoying her private practice, Joyce decided to leave the academy and practice therapy full time. I've never forgot our conversation that day, and we often revisit it every year at NCA conventions.
A few weeks ago a former student requested a letter of recommendation for Masters of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program at St. Edward's University, a small Catholic institution based here in Austin. Poking around their website reminded me of my conversations with Joyce and . . . long story short, I'm meeting with someone from the MAC program on Monday. To practice therapy in Texas one needs a master's degree and to master a qualifying exam for the Licensed Practicing Counselor certification. St. Edward's MAC program is mostly night-course based and doable in 2-3 years, plus an additional year or two of post-degree counseling. I'm not sure I can financially swing-it, but I'm looking into possibilities.
Of course, LPC certification is only the first step. The next step is to train in psychotherapy, and the only group that does this in the area is the Houston-Galveston Psychoanalytic Institute. They're APA division 39-registered, and the course of study to become an analyst is about five years. So we're talking about seven years or so of more coursework to become a qualified and legal psychoanalyst. I just think about all the seminar papers that will become essays . . . .
I'm not sure I want to do this, but the thought about doing so is interesting. In a lifetime, one has about two or three careers to try-out. I'm on my first, and have been thinking about my second since my 35th birthday. I don't think I'd ever leave the academy---I like my job too much. I like the fact that I am allowed to be creative in my scholarship, that people are now letting me be myself in my writing. I like writing books and continuing to learn (today I got a mound of performance studies books I'm anxious to devour). I really enjoy teaching and am addicted to the breakthrough moments. But I've always had that "what if?" question in the back of my head. In one life I wanted to be a lawyer. I no longer want that or desire it. In another life I thought I might like to be a chef. Hell's Kitchen and anecdotes from neighbors who were once chefs cured me of that.
When I started reading Freud in 2001, I often wondered what it would be like to be a therapist. I still wonder about that. The thought that I could not only teach people critical thought, but also help some folks overcome personal troubles and traumas is exciting. My therapist and I sometimes talk about the rewards of her job (and not that we keep a ledger, but . . . ). Because I'm a sensitive person, I'm not sure I could be a good therapist---I may just get too bothered by people's problems. But I'm willing to explore. I'm willing to face my own demons (a necessary passage to be a therapist oneself). I think if I can afford it, I might just do this. We shall see.