Are you wondering what paths are available after your psychology degree? I recently spoke with Tori Lewis, a registered social worker and current PhD student, who started her journey with an undergraduate psychology degree here at Western. In this blog, we’ll explore Tori’s journey and the advice she offers to those pursuing careers in social work and psychology.
Like many students, Tori initially planned a different route. “Funny enough, I actually started off wanting to go into science,” she shares. Initially taking biology, chemistry and physics, she realized these weren’t her true calling. After taking a psychology course as an elective, she found her true calling and switched programs.
Tori shared that psychology was a great introduction for her into the social sciences and enjoyed learning about the individual and how they exist in different environments. However, she realized that an undergraduate psychology degree alone did not provide the credentials needed to become a registered health professional. Tori shared, “I knew I wanted to help people, and psychology was an avenue to that. But social work allowed me to gain credentials and participate in a practicum where I applied what I learned in the field.” This realization led her to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work at King’s University College.
One of the most significant benefits of social work, as Tori highlighted, is its focus on understanding individuals within their broader context. She noted, “Psychology taught me a lot about individuals, but social work emphasizes the person within their environment. We don’t exist in isolation, and our surroundings profoundly impact us.”
Tori spent a lot of her undergraduate time volunteering and working with different organizations to see what sparked her interest. Some of her experiences that helped shape her career path include:
Best Buddies Western program: Matches you with an adult with a disability to build companionship and social skills
Volunteering with VON (Victorian Order of Nursing): Visit elderly individuals and provide social support
Mission Store Voucher Program: Help by providing clothing for those in vulnerable populations
Alzheimer’s Society: The Social program, where adults with early onset dementia or Alzheimer's can participate in different group recreation activities
Tori also discussed the importance of understanding the reasons why you want to be a social worker and also the importance of being able to properly explain that in your application to a school of Social Work. “I think a lot of people feel pressure to make decisions and maybe don’t wholesome know what is calling them to do that,” Tori explains. Tori drew inspiration from her mother who is also a social worker and while growing up was able to see the ways in which she helped others.
After finishing her undergraduate degree and becoming a registered social worker, Tori knew she wanted to pursue her Master’s in Social Work (MSW). She applied to return to King’s, however, despite putting in much effort to her application, she was ultimately rejected. Despite this challenge, Tori was later admitted into University of Windsor’s 16 month MSW which was a great fit for her as it allowed her to work in London while also studying online.
Having setbacks is a very normal part of people’s academic careers, but it is also something people tend to brush under the rug. “Your first time applying might not be successful, and that's okay. And it's not a reflection of you," she advises. “That year was a really competitive year... if someone is applying as a founder of a nonprofit organization or has worked 10, 15 years in the field, you can't compete with that when you're young.”
Today, Tori works as a registered social worker while pursuing her PhD at Windsor, focusing on gender-based violence research. She is currently working for Black Onyx Counselling and has recently launched her own private counseling practice.
When asked what she enjoys most about her job now, Tori discussed the value of witnessing clients’ breakthroughs and helping them reframe negative experiences. “When you’re talking with someone about a situation and helping them reframe how they perceive these negative experiences .. seeing the puzzle pieces click in their brain, that is such a gift,” she explains. She finds it especially rewarding to help people who have experienced trauma or marginalization find hope and practice self-compassion.
Tori also spoke of the importance of the therapeutic relationship. “Building relationships with people and being able to be a safe space where you can challenge them with compassion is wonderful,” she shares. Since therapists don’t usually receive direct feedback, she enjoys when clients report feeling lighter after sessions or when she hears about positive changes they have made in their lives.
Some advice shared by Tori for undergraduate students is to:
Try many different things: You can even go off what you don’t like from your experiences and narrow it down from there.
Don’t let impostor syndrome hold you back: “Your education, your experience means a lot more than you probably give it credit for.”
Practice self-compassion: “People are only human. At the end of the day, you're going to make mistakes, but it's also a part of the learning process that helps shape who you are.”
Stay organized: It is so important to be writing down the things you have to get done, especially when you are managing many different projects at once.
Work on self-care, especially while in a helping profession: Focus on maintaining healthy habits and having self-care practices such as getting good sleep, engaging in physical activities, joining professional support groups and online communities, building a strong personal support system through family and friends and seeking counselling yourself when needed.
Social work offers an ever-changing, fulfilling career path for those passionate about making a difference. Whether you’re interested in counseling, research or community support, there are numerous ways to apply your skills and create an impact.
If social work is something you are interested in, you can become a registered social worker by obtaining your BSW from a university accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education. Many schools allow you to apply after pursuing an undergraduate degree as long as you have the required prerequisites. Such schools include King’s University College, McMaster University, and York University, and many more.
Learn more about Tori’s work:
Private Practice: Tori Lewis Counselling and Consulting https://www.thedivergentpathcounselling.com/
Group Practice: Black Onyx Counselling https://www.blackonyxcounselling.com/
Research Projects:
Researcher at The Care Lab’s Disability and Gender-based Violence Study: https://careslab.ca/our-projects/gbv-disability/
Author on Gender-Based Violence Research: https://figshare.com/articles/online_resource/An_Exploration_into_Health_Outcomes_and_Trauma_of_Those_Impacted_by_Gender-Based_Violence_A_Scoping_Review_Protocol/27005086?file=49153435
Interested in Social Work Education?
King’s School of Social Work: https://socialwork.kings.uwo.ca/
Canadian Association of Social Workers: https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/what-social-work/how-do-i-become-social-worker
Have questions about social work careers? Leave a comment below!
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