Dr. Joanne Scott

Ever since I learned about the field of psychology, I knew that it was the career path I wanted to follow. However, my journey towards becoming a psychologist wasn't an easy one. I grew up in England and struggled with undiagnosed learning disabilities throughout my school years.

 

Despite my difficulties, I knew that I was drawn to the field of psychology, so at age 16 I discussed this with my career advisor. Unfortunately, based on my grades, he told me that I wouldn't be able to become a psychologist and suggested that I leave school and find a job.

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I followed his advice and spent the next four years working in various care assistant roles. While I enjoyed the practical nature of the work, I continued to feel a pull towards the field of psychology. It wasn't until I worked as a live-in caregiver for college students that I found myself immersed in the academic world that I had previously assumed was closed off to me.

 

I socialized with other students, attended lectures, and typed out essays for the students I worked for. I found that I understood some of the material that I had previously thought was beyond my grasp and realized that the gap between my abilities and those of the other students wasn't as large as I had initially thought.

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This realization motivated me to start taking night classes, which eventually led me to earn enough college credits to attend Nottingham Trent University. I completed a BA Hons degree in Contemporary Human Services in 2004, and it was during the first year of my undergrad that I was assessed and diagnosed with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and disorder of written expression.

 

Having a label for the challenges I was experiencing, along with accommodations from the university, finally allowed me to be successful in my studies. After completing my degree, I began a part-time Masters program in Counselling Practice at The University of Nottingham while working as a therapist in an inner-city school. I felt satisfied in the work and believed that I had found a way to do the work I loved, even without the title of a psychologist.

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In 2007 my husband’s work brought us to California, which was also the year that I became pregnant with our first son. Being pregnant, unable to drive and with qualifications from England that did not transfer, I found that my career options were limited. Unable to find work in the therapy field, I got a job in a department store folding clothes.

 

My pregnancy and postpartum period were filled with conflicting emotions. I vacillated between feeling overjoyed and overwhelmed for much of the first year, I loved being a mother and the friends I had made along this way, however I also felt isolated and displaced from the family, friends and life I had left behind in England. 

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In 2009, I began therapy, and through talking, I realized that despite enjoying motherhood, I still felt called to pursue the therapy work that I loved. So, in 2010, I began a doctorate program in Counseling Psychology at Argosy University while raising two children. It was a challenging time, and I often doubted my ability to complete the program, however, in 2015, I graduated with a 4.0 GPA.

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My life experiences, both the challenges and accomplishments, have given me a unique perspective on the human experience. Unfortunately, our culture has turned "believing in yourself" into a requirement for trying and made the destination the only reason for the journey. However, my journey to this point in my career has been different. I have approached each new phase of my education with a contrary determination, believing that I had reached my limit. This approach has allowed me to feel liberated from the outcome and focused on finding inherent meaning in the learning experience.

 

I practice therapy in the same way, where each session holds intrinsic value because I am fully present with the person and their experiences. To me, nothing is more important than connecting with others and being present in the moment.

 

Thank you again!