It’s no secret that I look extremely young. However, to look young in a profession where many clients equate knowledge with age can be daunting. I have been immediately dismissed by clients not only because I am a female of color but also because of my “age.” The struggle is real sometimes, but I work diligently every day to remind myself that I am a total hard-core, brilliant, and fabulous counselor.
I have tried a few tricks here and there, from dressing more professional to working with clients that are more my “age group.” However, when it all boils down to it, this is a classic case of agism and judging a book by its cover. Have no worries, though, this is something that is not new to me. My whole life I have always been put in situations where I have been either questioned or turned away because of my age. Yet as I always say, “Yeah, but I’m going to look great when I am older.”
Despite the negatives of agism, there are also positives. For example, I strengthened my confidence- I had to. I had to slowly overcome my struggles with what is called Imposter Syndrome: a person questioning one’s skills, qualifications, and experience by an internalized fear of being considered a fraud by others. To combat these uneasy thoughts, I make it a habit to remind myself over and over again that sometimes clients and counselors are not a perfect match and should not work together. If the client is too focused on my appearance, perhaps I am not the correct counselor for this client, which leads me to my next point: agism really has more to do with the client than myself. A lot of my clients don’t really see it coming, but when questioned about my age, I give them a taste of my skills and ask questions to determine the importance of my appearance for that client. At the end of the day, if I decide a client is not the right fit for me, the best thing is to provide the individual with other counseling resources and send them on their way.
So, yes, I am a Latina with the genetics of the future. I may look young but do not let that fool you. Trust me when I say, “I am a very good counselor.”
-Brianda
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