San Francisco Therapist Says Psychotherapy Is Hard But Rewarding Work
San Francisco psychology students will have more job opportunities if they continue on to graduate school. According to the American Psychological Association, only five percent of students with undergraduate degree got jobs in the field. Fortunately the job outlook for some subfields of psychology such as marriage and family therapists are expected to rise much faster than the national average. While becoming a psychotherapist is hard work, it's also incredibly rewarding, so says Smadar Salzman, M.F.T who has a private practice in downtown San Francisco.
What is your background and education?
"I hold a master's in Counseling Psychology from University of San Francisco and am a licensed marriage and family therapist. Over the past 10 years I have worked extensively with trauma survivors in private practice and community mental health agencies, and have gained additional training and expertise in treating individuals and couples presenting with Complex PTSD and interpersonal trauma."
What type of services do you provide?
"I have a full-time private practice in downtown San Francisco where I see couples, individual adults, and families. My primary area of focus is trauma, specifically healing relational trauma and Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder which result from betrayal or abuse by those whom we love and depend upon. I also provide support for partners of trauma and abuse survivors, and I provide consultation for other psychotherapists on how to effectively treat trauma survivors while preventing and managing vicarious trauma. I offer sessions in Spanish and in English."
What career advice can you offer to psychology students?
"Becoming a psychotherapist is hard work but it is also incredibly rewarding. It requires years of schooling, at least one advanced degree, and a lengthy licensing process that requires years of supervised practice, often underpaid. Studying psychology is not a theoretical practice; it's deeply personal. It will require you to examine yourself, acknowledge your strengths and limitations, and it will push you to grow and become a better person.
Being a psychotherapist is not about giving advice or helping people. In fact, advice and help often disempower and invalidate others. A good therapist will know how to provide a safe, accepting space to explore what troubles and inspires our patients. We want to empower them to make the right choices and support them through their struggles. Being a psychotherapist is a deeply meaningful and gratifying career. I cannot imagine doing anything else."
Randy Yagi is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. In 2012, he was awarded a Media Fellowship from Stanford University. His work can be found on Examiner.com Examiner.com.