Why I Became a Counsellor: Finding My Way Back to Myself

Sometimes, finding your purpose means returning to the parts of yourself you lost along the way.

I didn't decide to become a counsellor because I had life all figured out. I chose this path because life has taught me a great deal about what it means to struggle, to grow, to lose your way, and to find yourself again.

Now in my 50s, I have lived through many of the experiences that shape who we are. I've navigated parenthood, worked through the lasting effects of an abusive childhood, and spent years learning what it means to understand myself beyond the experiences that shaped me. My journey hasn't always been easy, but it has brought me back to my own values, beliefs, and sense of who I am.

For a long time, life was about navigating what was in front of me. It was survival. Like many people, I had responsibilities, relationships, and expectations to manage. Over time, I began to understand how much our early experiences can influence the way we see ourselves, the relationships we build, the boundaries we set, and the choices we make. I also learned that our past doesn't have to define our future.

Finding my way back to myself has been an ongoing process of reflection, learning, and personal growth. It has taught me the importance of self-awareness, self-compassion, and having the space to explore the parts of ourselves we may have spent years trying to understand or hide. I had to learn that it was okay to let go, especially of those who have hurt me. I chose to live and most importantly, it has strengthened my belief that we are capable of change at any stage of life.

A Career That Opened My Eyes

For 17 years, I worked in medical offices. During that time, I had the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life, each carrying their own experiences, challenges, and circumstances. While medical care is essential, I increasingly noticed gaps in the support available to people navigating the emotional and personal challenges that often accompany health concerns and life transitions.

I saw people who needed more than an appointment or a treatment plan. They needed someone who would listen, help them make sense of what they were experiencing, and provide space for the concerns that didn't always fit neatly into a medical setting. I witnessed how emotional well-being, relationships, life circumstances, and personal experiences could affect a person's overall health and quality of life.

These experiences stayed with me. They helped me recognize the important role counsellors can play in supporting people through difficult periods of their lives.

Initially, I considered social work as a possible direction for my next chapter. As I explored my options and reflected on where I felt I could make the greatest contribution, I realized that social work wasn't where I felt I was needed most. My experiences in medical offices had shown me the gaps I wanted to help address, and I felt drawn toward counselling and life coaching.

I wanted to work more directly with people as they explored their experiences, understood themselves more deeply, and discovered ways to move forward. I wanted to offer the kind of space where people could feel heard without judgment and supported without being told who they should be.

So, I went back to school. First I worked towards accrediation as a Life Coach, then onto Wellness Counselling. Next I became a certified End of Life Doula and finally I recieved my a diploma in Therapuetic Counselling with a specialty in Seniors Counselling.

It Is Never Too Late to Choose a Different Path

Returning to school later in life was an important step for me. By then, I had lived enough life to understand that learning isn't limited to a classroom, and that some of our most meaningful lessons come through experience. My education gave me the opportunity to build on those experiences, develop new skills, and turn my interest in personal growth and emotional well-being into a professional path.

Choosing this direction in my 50s has reinforced something I deeply believe: we don't have to have everything figured out by a certain age. We are allowed to change our minds, discover new interests, question old beliefs, and pursue something that feels more aligned with who we are becoming.

Sometimes, the path we take makes sense only when we look back. My years in medical offices, my experiences navigating parenthood, my personal journey of healing, and my return to education have all contributed to the counsellor and life coach I am working to become.

I don't believe that having lived experience makes someone an expert in another person's life. Every individual has their own story, and no two journeys are the same. However, my experiences have helped me appreciate the importance of listening with compassion, remaining curious rather than judgmental, and recognizing that we never truly know everything someone may be carrying.

Why Lane Wellness Studio?

Lane Wellness Studio grew from my desire to create a welcoming space where people can explore their lives, reconnect with themselves, and work toward meaningful change.

I believe that sometimes we become so accustomed to the ways we have learned to survive, cope, or meet the expectations of others that we lose sight of our own needs, values, and beliefs. We may carry assumptions about ourselves that were formed long ago, or find ourselves repeating patterns without fully understanding why. Counselling and life coaching can provide an opportunity to pause, reflect, and begin asking different questions.

What do I believe about myself, and where did those beliefs come from? What matters to me now? Which patterns are serving me, and which ones am I ready to change? What would it look like to make choices that reflect my own values rather than the expectations I have carried for years?

These are not always easy questions, but they can be powerful starting points for growth.

My approach is grounded in the belief that people deserve to be met with respect, compassion, and an understanding of their individual circumstances. I don't see my role as having all the answers. Instead, I want to support people as they explore their own answers, recognize their strengths, and develop a clearer understanding of the life they want to create.

You Don't Have to Navigate Everything Alone

If there is one thing my journey has taught me, it is that finding your way forward doesn't require you to have all the answers. It requires a willingness to begin, to be curious about yourself, and sometimes to allow another person to walk alongside you.

Embracing change demands courage, as it is not the absence of fear but rather the ability yo overcome it.

You might be navigating a difficult relationship, working through past experiences, adjusting to a major life transition, questioning long-held beliefs, or simply feeling that something in your life needs to change. You don't need to wait until things become overwhelming to seek support, and you don't need to justify your struggles by comparing them with anyone else's.

You also don't have to be at the beginning of your life to begin again.

I continue to learn, grow, and discover new things about myself. My journey has not been about becoming someone entirely different. It has been about finding my way back to the values and beliefs that matter to me, understanding the experiences that shaped me, and making more conscious choices about how I want to live. That is the spirit I bring to Lane Wellness Studio.

My hope is to help others find the same opportunity to pause, reflect, reconnect with themselves, and move forward in a way that feels authentic to who they are.

Your past is part of your story, but it doesn't have to determine what comes next. And it is never too late to find your way back to yourself.

If you are ready to explore your own path toward growth, healing, or change, I invite you to connect with Lane Wellness Studio and learn more about how counselling and life coaching may support you.