Will I Find What I'm Looking For in a Social Work Masters?

Maybe that's not even the right question. We rarely find exactly what we set out to seek—reality doesn't match our projections. So why project at all?

Still, here I am, engaged in a path that could take five or more years and at least $60,000 to become a licensed therapist. So the real question becomes: How do I stay motivated without clinging to imagined outcomes?

Reasons to believe

1. Meaning in the present. At the most basic level, this path meets my deep need for learning. Studying human systems fascinates me. Pursuing an MSW gives shape to my curiosity and brings purpose to the present moment—not some distant future outcome.

2. Anchoring in principle, not outcome. I'm convinced that the roots of suffering are attached to outcomes, not principles. So, acting on the principle that alleviating human suffering is worthwhile alleviates my own suffering too.

The people I most admire acted to alleviate human suffering. Sometimes I wonder: if contribution drives my career shift, shouldn't nature's suffering be my focus? But at the root, human disconnection and pain fuel ecological collapse. So back to the principle—human suffering is what I feel most urged to address.

3. I might actually be a good fit. I've always felt too direct and ruthless to be a therapist. But something shifted when I watched Marsha Linehan^[1] in action. I used to think therapists had to be soft, endlessly validating, careful not to offend. But her DBT approach was radically different. In one training video, she's as direct as possible in securing an agreement that the patient won't attempt suicide again. No sugar-coating, no tiptoeing—just clarity, presence, and truth.

I realized then: therapy isn't about comfort; it can be about transformational honesty. That feels aligned with who I am. Plus, years of NVC training have been softening my edges.

4. Flexibility and breadth. Social work offers more flexibility than other mental health degrees. The profession anchors itself in providing access rather than gatekeeping. The Social Work Compact estimates multistate licenses will be available in 30+ states. An MSW opens doors beyond therapy—into advocacy, systems-level intervention, and policy work.

Meanwhile, my alternate path—software engineering—has a 50/50 chance of disruption in the next 3–5 years. And even in tech, credibility matters. It's easier to express ideas with precision and authority when you've earned trust and clarity about what matters. An MSW would give me both: deeper insight into human systems and the standing to speak from experience.

I once heard filmmaker Fernando Meirelles^[2] say people shouldn't pursue cinema degrees—the technical side is easy to learn on the job. Instead, they should study domains they're passionate about and figure out what they want to say. The craft comes later.

That's what I'm doing now. Figuring out what I want to say and why it matters. Once I know that, building digital tools that might help more people than one-on-one therapy becomes possible—just like I did with my NVC tools. The motivation will be there because the why will be clear.

1. Linehan is the creator of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which has been gaining traction all over the world. She is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Washington and founder of Behavioral Tech LLC, which trains mental health professionals in DBT. Allen Frances called Linehan one of the two most influential "clinical innovators" in mental health, alongside Aaron Beck.
2. Meirelles, the Brazilian director best known for co-directing the internationally acclaimed film City of God (2002), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. Born in São Paulo in 1955, he studied architecture before moving into filmmaking. He's known for his authentic storytelling that addresses social issues, often working with non-professional actors from the communities he depicts.