Why did I decide to become a Forensic Psychologist?

I get asked that question a lot, and it was quite the journey to say the least.

Kiddie scoop

My obsessive passion for helping others started as a kid. I grew up in a violent household, where violence and shaming were the weapons of choice. As you may imagine, life was traumatic, and I learned very quickly how to adapt to the violence.

Roll in Mrs Woods

“Everything you are going through right now will make you stronger”, this is what my beloved English teacher told me when I was only ten years old. And, this is precisely what you will discover about yourself when you work through your dark time in a very intentional and resilient way.

Fast forward fifteen years later, I became a beauty therapist with my beauty salon. The thing I loved most as a beauty therapist was not the lotions and beautiful potions, but the genuine and often harrowing stories my clients would tell me. It was frustrating and very sad to listen to their story and not be able to give any real life-changing advice. I often felt helpless.

Six words that changed my life

Then during a warm summer’s day, a new client came into the salon and right in the middle of her bikini wax, she said: “I’m thinking of killing my husband.” Well, that was a wax to remember. Instead of feeling scared, anxious or worried, all I felt was this surge of intense curiosity as to why she would want to kill someone she loved.

What I now know is the traumatic bond she had with her husband was the poison in her life. And, it took me a decade of working with narcissistic behaviours to fully understand this bond and help others to break it.

A curious mind

That curiosity just wouldn’t leave, and my path to becoming a Forensic Psychologist was set. But how on earth was I ever going to do it! I was a lone parent of a five-year-old daughter, running a busy salon. But Mrs Woods’ words came back to me, and I knew at that moment that I had finally found my strength. Thank you, Mrs Woods.

Do you need to make a difficult decision, one which you know will change everything but are hiding and too afraid to make that decision?

No more hiding. Sometimes without realising it, we hide or crouch in our own lives. And, it takes courage to show up and change or work through a situation that is dark and painful. But remember you’re much stronger than you think you are. And getting into that Arena is where the magic happens. This is where you put on your designer armoury.

The magic only ever happens when you step into the arena

What happens when you dig deep into your thoughts and feelings, examining every part of yourself? Welcome to your journey of self-discovery, your Arena.

Here, you have two choices: either face challenges with resilience or feel overwhelmed. Rest assured, I’m here to help you face those challenges. As you prepare for this inner journey, you might experience discomfort and emotional turmoil. But when you come out on the other side of your Arena, you’ll find yourself transformed – stronger, wiser, and at peace with yourself. This journey may be demanding, but it’s truly worth it.