This week has been an exciting and refreshing experience, as it marked my return to psychology
after completing my master's in June. After a long break due to my job, I had been planning to
engage with the field again, and it’s finally happening. It feels fulfilling to be back in a learning
environment where I can deepen my understanding and reconnect with the concepts I studied.
The first week of the class was very enjoyable. It felt like a great refresher of key concepts,
especially as I delved deeper into areas I had previously explored during my studies. The
orientation session was particularly helpful in calming any initial anxieties I had. It provided
important details about the course structure, schedules, and expectations, which gave me a sense
of clarity and preparedness for the weeks ahead.
The first week was smooth, engaging, and well-organized, and I am looking forward to what the
rest of the course will bring.
The first session on microskills was a valuable revision, especially considering the strong focus
on these skills during my master's program. I could easily write a long essay on their definitions,
but I still find myself uncertain about how to effectively apply them in real-life sessions. The
session itself was theoretical in nature, which helped refresh my understanding, but I still have
questions about how to use these skills in practice. Do they come naturally during sessions, or is
it something I need to consciously pull out from myself?
Another thought that lingered was whether I will be able to create a space where clients feel that
these skills are being used. As a therapist, I aim to make clients feel seen, safe, and understood,
but it’s still unclear whether these microskills will flow naturally or if I need to deliberately focus
on them.
A major takeaway from the session was the importance of going back to these microskills if I
feel that the therapeutic process is stuck or not moving forward. Therapy, after all, is about
fostering personal growth within the therapeutic relationship. Clients seek to feel seen, safe, and
understood, and these skills are essential in achieving that. While it’s okay to ask "why"
questions at times, I need to be cautious, ensuring that they don’t hinder the client's exploration
or come across as authoritative.
Looking at my listening skills from a therapeutic lens and beyond, I would rate myself
around 5/10. When I’m close to someone, I tend to get too excited and sometimes interrupt them,
eager to share my own thoughts. My boyfriend often points out that I don’t always listen to him,
but I don’t notice this behavior with others as much. I realize that sometimes I listen more to
respond rather than truly understanding the other person’s point of view. As soon as they finish
speaking, I’m ready to start telling my own story. However, I do feel that when I’m not as close
to the person, I tend to be a better listener.
In the workplace, I also feel a strong urge to share my ideas, as I worry that if I don’t, someone
else will voice them first—which often happens. This creates a situation where sometimes
multiple people start speaking at the same time. In these moments, I make a conscious effort to
pull myself back and let the other person finish their point, which I think is a common challenge
in group discussions.
The second class on consent forms was really informative and brought back memories of school
when teachers would ask us to take notes. However, this session felt more relevant to my current
goals. It reminded me that I am moving closer to my goal of working as a therapist. I particularly
enjoyed creating my own consent form during the session. It felt like a practical step forward,
and I appreciated the hands-on experience in understanding such an important aspect of therapy.
The class was not only helpful in terms of content but also motivating, as it gave me a sense of
progress in my journey.
The third discussion class, where other therapists shared their case studies. I really appreciated
the group dynamic. Everyone was open and eager to help each other, which made the session
feel collaborative and supportive. One of the highlights for me was the insight shared by
therapist Anushree Gupta on her client, Soumya. I found it particularly valuable how Anushree
encouraged us to gain different perspectives and equipped us with useful resources.
I also loved the idea of using the "pizza slice" concept and the app that was introduced. It was
engaging, and I even started using the app myself—it was so much fun! Thank you to Naina for
the suggestion, as it turned out to be a helpful tool.