Becoming Dr Stockhausen

I've started this blog as a way to document my journey to becoming a counselling psychologist. For the sake of transparency, the idea of putting my life out in the public in this way has never really appealed to me. That's because, as a rule, I adhere to the Banksy dictum:

"I don't know why people are so keen to put details of their private life in public; they forget that invisibility is a superpower." Banksy

And whilst I continue to hold to this proclamation, I can also see the implicit value in documenting my journey, as a person of colour (POC), training to become a psychologist, in a profession which is overwhelmingly white and worryingly unrepresentative of the diverse population that it serves.

I have always wanted to be a psychologist. And upon finishing my original [psychology] degree and announcing this to my social psychology lecturer (Harriet Marshall), she offered me the best advice I have ever received:

"Go and live first, Andrew." 

So for many years, I did exactly that; taking in careers in education, forensic services and psychotherapy. Each role offering unique experiences, each affirming my desire for a career in which I could 'support' others; though none of them offered a compelling substitute to replace that original career goal. So, now, two decades later, I've positioned myself to enter the profession with a lot more clarity about why I want this ‘Psychologist’ title. 

Why be a Counselling Psychologist?

Beyond the traditional focus of enhancing psychological well-being through therapy, I’m drawn to this profession because of it's emphasis on humanistic values. Because of this orientation, counselling psychology has an emphasis on valuing diversity and explicitly acknowledging the importance of socio-cultural and political context in promoting well-being. This is fundamentally important to me, as this allows me to make important contributions to the psycho-social needs of individuals and communities in the areas of social justice promotion and community based public health interventions. It's these aspects of the role that I believe make it a rich and valuable profession. 

So! Perhaps I should say what my writing perspective will be and what I hope to achieve with this blog? I'll be unapologetically intersectional in my writing. As a black man, who is queer, it is actually impossible for me to be anything but intersectional in my approach. This is also how I work as a practicing psychotherapist; from my belief that structural oppressions 'shape mental difficulties', and that the majority of mental anguish is inseparable from issues like social fragmentation, trauma and discrimination. My hopes for this blog are that it will offer an illuminating, thought provoking and (occasionally) funny, personal perspective, as I negotiate the academic and personal challenges that will inevitably come my way over the remaining next 2 years. I'll always be honest. And fundamentally, and without exception, I'll respect the confidentiality of those I work with on the journey to becoming Dr Andrew Stockhausen. 

“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you "

Maya Angelou