The 19 year old girl had spent 3 months in College in First Year. In her first assessment she had failed all of her subjects. Her Mother contacted our office saying:
“She does not seem to be getting on very well. Could you help with her motivation?”
When the young girl came into the office, the Counsellor was far more concerned for her health than for her motivation. She seemed to have lost quite a bit of weight and looked very stressed.
She had chosen to do Arts as she was very unclear what she would like to do in college. The counsellor suggested that they go back to basics and find out what type of course may naturally suit her. The client applied herself very conscientiously to the careers process. It indicated that she had little interest in the subjects she was currently studying.
The results suggested, however, that this young girl was very creative and loved the whole area of design. It was when the subject turned to Beauty and Make-up that she came alive. Her face shone and she explained in detail her passion for this subject.
“I really adore this area, but, of course, I could never study it.”
The counsellor was puzzled – she had the passion, she had honours Biology in her Leaving Certificate – what was the block? Why could she not study this?
“Because I can’t study this in University. My Mum wants me to go to University and be a success”.
The counsellor explored the notion of success with the young client. They discovered that she would love to get into one of the top Beauty Schools and specialize in make-up for Fashion Photography. She would eventually like to set up her own consultancy.
The Counsellor set up a meeting with this client and her Mother. The results were explained. The young girl’s mother became very upset. She explained that she had always wanted her daughter to go to University. She had never gone herself and always saw that as a big lack in her life.
“You can’t be a success unless you go to University – there will always be something missing in your life.” She said.
The counsellor empathized with the Mother. She wanted the very best for her daughter and wanted her to have the things that she did not manage to have herself in her youth.
However, the counsellor questioned whether the option of college was the very best one for her daughter. Despite working very hard, the young student was not succeeding in her subjects. The counsellor also asked some questions around the young girl’s health.
Her Mother said the young girl’s GP was concerned about her loss of weight and her stress levels. They were due to revisit the GP in a few days. The counsellor suggested that they make another appointment after the GP’s appointment and re-examine the situation.
At the next appointment, the young girl was accompanied by both of her parents. They explained that the GP was indeed concerned about their daughter’s health and suggested that they pay immediate attention to this. They then re-examined the whole situation at home. Her Mother explained that she realised that she was imposing her notion of success on to her daughter and that this was not, in reality, what her daughter really wanted to do.
The young girl made an application to one of the top Beauty Schools in London and submitted a copious portfolio.