Identifying the Graduate Program for the Career You Want – Special Series Becoming a Therapist: An interview with Eden Lathem

In this new series, Curt and Katie interview graduate students and will follow them on their journey to becoming a therapist. Our final interview is with Eden Lathem, a second-year Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) student at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. Eden shares her path from working in prison education and with individuals with disabilities to finding her passion for systemic thinking and family therapy. She candidly discusses the challenges of grad school, balancing internships, and navigating financial constraints while exploring her future career aspirations. She also talks through how she did due diligence to find the “right” graduate program.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode, we meet Eden Lathem, an aspiring therapist

We continue our new series on becoming a therapist, with Eden Lathem, who is a first career professional who has done a lot of due diligence and strategic thinking to plan her trajectory as a therapist and professional.  

Eden’s Background and Path to Therapy

• Eden shares how her experiences in prison education and working with individuals with disabilities shaped her desire to support families and underserved populations.
• Initially hesitant about becoming a therapist, Eden found her passion for MFT through her commitment to systemic thinking and helping others.
• She highlights the unique role of MFT in addressing the needs of families with disabled members, a demographic often overlooked.

Grad School Expectations vs. Reality

• Eden discusses her experience in an in-person, cohort-style program that meets weekly.
• She was surprised by the program’s emphasis on self-awareness and the “self of the therapist” work, which has become a significant focus.
• While expecting more hands-on training, she found the program leaned heavily on didactic learning with limited opportunities for shadowing and hands-on therapy practice.

Balancing Dual Internships and Financial Challenges

• Eden balances two internships: a paid position at a family therapy center and an unpaid internship, navigating the complexities of these experiences.
• She shares the financial struggles of grad school, reflecting on the challenges of unpaid internships and the economic realities of the helping professions.
• Eden highlights the need for strategic financial planning and managing responsibilities while pursuing a meaningful career.

Advice for Prospective Therapy Students

• Eden encourages prospective students to thoroughly research programs by talking to professors and alumni.
• She stresses the importance of aligning program values with personal goals and considering the broader implications of the chosen education.
• Her advice emphasizes due diligence in selecting a program that supports future career aspirations.

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined

Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:

Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/

Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/