Okay, so I’ve been digging into this whole “Masters in Counseling or Psychology” thing for a while now, and let me tell you, it’s been a journey! I wanted to share my whole process, from start to finish, because it was way more involved than I initially thought.

The Initial Spark
It all started because I wanted that help people,it is cool, right? I knew I wanted to do something in the mental health field, but I wasn’t sure what.
Research, Research, Research!
First, I hit the internet, hard. I was basically living on websites, forums, and anywhere else I could find information. I was trying to figure out the basic differences between counseling and psychology programs. It seemed like counseling was more focused on, well, counseling – working directly with clients on their everyday struggles. Psychology, on the other hand, seemed broader, with options for research, assessment, and all sorts of specialized areas.
I also started looking at specific programs. What were their admission requirements? What kind of classes did they offer? What were the faculty like? This was a HUGE task, and honestly, a bit overwhelming.
Talking to Real People
Next, I knew I needed to talk to people who were actually doing this stuff. I reached out to some counselors and psychologists I found online (mostly through professional organizations’ websites). I just asked if they’d be willing to chat with me for 15-20 minutes about their experiences. Surprisingly, most people were super helpful and willing to share!

These conversations were GOLD. I learned so much about the day-to-day realities of both fields. One counselor told me about the emotional toll it can take, while a psychologist emphasized the importance of research skills. These chats really helped me start to narrow down my interests.
Shadowing and Volunteering
After talking to people, I decided I needed to see things firsthand. I found a local mental health clinic that allowed me to shadow a counselor for a few days. It was amazing to see the client-therapist relationship in action, and it definitely solidified my interest in the helping aspect of the field.
I also started volunteering at a crisis hotline. This was tough, but it gave me a real sense of the challenges people face and the importance of having someone to listen to. It also helped me build some basic communication and empathy skills.
Making a Decision (Finally!)
After all of this, I felt like I finally had enough information to make a decision. Both fields were appealing, but I realized my heart was leaning towards counseling. I loved the idea of working directly with people and helping them navigate their lives. The direct impact,that my decision.

- So, I have choiced counseling!
The Application Process
I applied several master’s programs in counseling. Getting all the application materials together was a bit of a pain (transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal essays – ugh!), but I got it done.
I got offer! and I plan to continue sharing my experiences as I go through my master’s program. Hopefully, this whole rambling account of my process helps someone else out there who’s trying to figure out their own path!