Meeting My Long-Term Love: A Journey into Counselling

I was in 9th grade when a classmate confided in me and said, "How come you understand things so easily and the way no one else does?"

That statement stayed with me.

By the time I was in 10th grade, I had started borrowing psychology books from seniors in 11th and 12th. I was deeply curious about this subject called Psychology. It felt like a good fit for me, but I needed more than just a vague feeling.

As I skimmed through chapters on memory, learning, and abnormal behaviour, I felt something click. I was intrigued. Excited. For the first time, I was choosing subjects based on genuine interest rather than what was enforced, regardless of aptitude. That freedom was empowering.

By 11th and 12th grade, it became a clear choice: this was what I wanted to pursue in my undergraduate studies. I went on to do my Honours in Applied Psychology, and honestly, every day in that course reaffirmed my decision. Especially in the classes of a few unforgettable professors, I found myself thinking, I love that I’m alive and this is what I’m here for.

We explored many fascinating branches of psychology like neuropsychology, lifespan development, geriatric psychology, abnormal psychology and many more, and I found them all intellectually rich. But the moment we began our unit on Counselling Psychology, something shifted. That was another moment of absolute clarity. Out of all these different flavours of psychology, this one was my soulmate.

After completing my honours, I focused on gaining relevant work experience and started preparing my applications and the entire process of pursuing a master's in counselling abroad. That phase was filled with intention, every step felt like it was leading me closer to where I truly belonged.

And now, a fun fact:

Let’s say I decided to become a counsellor in Year 11. How many years did it take for me to actually start working as one? Seven.

I’m currently pursuing my master’s degree and just completed my first year. As part of the course, we’re required to gain practical experience. So after seven years of dreaming, preparing, reading, volunteering and working in related roles, I finally applied for roles as a counsellor.

It felt surreal. Like meeting a long-distance love for the first time. I had all kinds of doubts. What if, after all these years of loving the idea of it, I realised I didn’t enjoy the real thing? What if I’d invested all this time, energy, resources and heart… only to feel disappointed? I didn’t have a Plan B. Counselling wasn’t just a choice; it was the choice.

I felt both excited and nervous. It’s hard to put that feeling into words.

During multiple interviews with different organisations, I spoke with such passion — and when that was seen and validated, I felt recognised. That was the most rewarding part. These were my first interviews ever for this role, and in a completely new country, too.

And then came my first day.

Seeing my name on official documents, 
Counsellor: Prachi Joshi, was unforgettable. It felt like the words were engraved in stone.

I held in my hands what many would consider simple paperwork: referral forms, informed consent templates, intake summaries. But for me, those documents felt like gold. So precious. So earned. I believe it felt that way because ethically, you aren’t allowed to handle these responsibilities until you’re formally trained and enrolled in a master's program. And now I was here, living it.

That day, I sat in the counselling room for hours, completely alone. I was reading through the case histories of all the clients I’d be taking over. I had always thought I wasn’t suited for roles that lacked social interaction. But guess what? That day, I had zero face-to-face human interaction, zero time for a break, and it was still one of the most rewarding days I’ve had.

Submerging myself into the lives and stories of these clients felt like a privilege. Calling parents, introducing myself as a counsellor, discussing concerns and goals for their children, it felt like a moment I had dreamed about for years, and now I was standing in it.

After almost a year in Melbourne, I finally feel excited to dress up for work. I’d think, What will I wear? What will I do today? The days I go in to work as a counsellor are the highlight of my week. The placement may be unpaid, but it’s rich in meaning. Unlike my part-time jobs, this one fills me, rather than drains me.

I’m currently working with kids, which is funny, because life has repeatedly nudged me toward working with children in different roles. I was always curious about working with kids as a counsellor, though. In my mind, I didn’t imagine myself in a school. But here I am, and I’m actually enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would.

Still, I want to explore working with adults too, in other settings. I want to know all the places where I could belong. Maybe I’ll find my solace in one, or maybe in many. But for now, I’m just grateful to finally be doing the thing I’ve loved for so long.