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Articles by Norma Jean Salinas

Norma Jean Salinas is a midlife career changer and a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern in Texas working toward completing her post-graduate internship hours. Her goal is to go into private practice in the near future. Norma Jean earned her Bachelor of Journalism in Broadcast News from The University of Texas at Austin and her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling with High Distinction from the University of the Southwest [Hobbs, NM]. As part of her clinical training, Norma Jean has worked with diverse populations at two county jails, a state prison, a homeless shelter, an elementary school, and in a private practice setting. Norma Jean’s outside interests include animal rescue and advocacy, photography, eBaying, and spending time with her six dogs, Alex, Brian, Charles, Bella, Big Bear, and Little Bear.

How I Became a Mental Health Counselor Later in Life

How I Became a Mental Health Counselor Later in Life

by | May 1, 2017 | Personal & Professional Experiences

While a lot of people my age are slowing down and retiring as they hit the half-century mark, I decided to make a career change and go back to school to earn my master’s degree in mental health counseling. Now, at the age of 54, I am proud to say that I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern in the state of Texas, currently completing my postgraduate internship hours.

If you are wondering how I decided to become a psychotherapist at this point in my life, I can assure you that it was not an idea that simply plummeted out of the sky and bopped me on the head one day.

Quite the contrary – I have been a therapist-in-training ever since I was a little girl, although I never really knew what that meant at the time. I always knew that I had a caring and compassionate heart and a special gift for helping others, but I did not know how to translate that into a career when I was younger.