LEVEL 1: Pre-Career

The Spark of Curiosity

You didn’t always know you wanted to be a therapist — but something lit a fire. Maybe it was a conversation, a trauma, a book, or a friend who said,

“You’d be great at this.”
This is where the seed was planted.

Key Struggle: Uncertainty, exploring multiple paths, building confidence in your calling.

LEVEL 2: Bachelor’s Degree

Laying the Groundwork

You started your psych classes, made sense of DSM language, and got your first taste of what helping might really mean.
You're starting to feel committed, but the finish line still feels far off.

Key Struggle: Information overload, imposter feelings, questioning if you’ll really “make it.”

LEVEL 3: Entry Level

Feet in the Field

You took your first job in the mental health world — maybe as a case manager or support worker. You saw what real client work looks like. And you probably learned more in one year than in all your classes combined.

Key Struggle: Low pay, high emotional load, wondering if this is sustainable.

LEVEL 4: Master’s Degree

The Real Work Begins

You went back to school — not just to finish something, but to become someone.
You juggled internships, theory, and real-life heartache.

You started to carry other people’s pain — and your own.

Key Struggle: Time burnout, financial stress, balancing work and school.

LEVEL 5: Internship

Learning to Carry It All

You finally made it into the room. You had a supervisor, a caseload, and a steep learning curve. The real therapy began — and so did the pressure to “get it right.”

Key Struggle: Vulnerability, perfectionism, emotional exhaustion, shaky confidence.

LEVEL 6: Licensure

The Test — and the Bigger Question

You passed the test! But now the harder question shows up: Now what?
You’re technically free — but the next step feels heavier than expected.

Key Struggle: Decision fatigue, career direction, business vs agency dilemmas.

LEVEL 7: Licensed Therapist

The Identity is Official — But is it Enough?

You have clients, a license, and maybe your own space. You’re doing “the thing.”
You’re still learning and growing, but something feels… heavy.

Key Struggle: Hustle cycles, overwork, comparison, “Am I doing this forever?”