My name is Lindsey Stephenson, and I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist and a Chartered Professional Accountant. Many ask me, “How did you go from being an accountant to a psychologist?” It has been an interesting journey to say the least, and I’m happy to share how this change came about.
A life lacking meaning and purpose
A few years ago, I was attending a course on leadership and sitting in a classroom with other management professionals. I can’t recall what we were learning, only that I found myself excited and coming alive inside. I was perplexed by this, but I knew this feeling was significant and something I had not felt for a long time. As I pondered this and why I was feeling this way, I discovered that it was not so much about leadership but more about specific aspects of the course and who was presenting it. In particular, it was parts of the course that had psychological components and the psychologists who were teaching it.
At the time, I was a CPA in a stable career with a good paying job and benefits. I had followed the path that many of us have – go to school, get an education, progress in a career – and yet I found myself unhappy and felt that my life lacked meaning and purpose. A life and career I had enjoyed in the past now felt stale, and I dreaded the thought of continuing this way. Where had things gone wrong? Was this all there was to life? Was it even possible to live a rich and fulfilling life? Deep down, I felt empty inside and that there was more to life – that there had to be more – but I didn’t know what that was or how to get there.
Discovering my passion
During that course and talking with those psychologists, I discovered I had a deep passion for psychology and helping
people. I began to see how I always had an interest in people and trying to understand why they do what they do. I had experienced the benefits of counselling in getting help for my own struggles, and I was excited at the thought of helping others. Initially, I didn’t do anything as the cost of schooling and prospect of changing careers was daunting. However, the listless feeling I had persisted and I couldn’t ignore it any more.
I remember clearly when I finally made the decision to become a psychologist. I was in a coffee shop, weighing the pros and cons of pursing this career and change, when I came to this conclusion:
The cost of not doing anything was greater than the cost of doing something.
I felt that life was too short, and to continue as I was would be to waste it. I finally stopped wrestling with the decision and simply decided to become a psychologist. As soon as I did, something powerful happened as this empty and restless feeling I had for so long instantly disappeared, and I found myself full of life, excitement and hope. Immediately I had purpose and meaning in my life again, and soon after I began to take steps towards becoming a psychologist.
Living a life with meaning and purpose is something I wouldn’t trade for anything. I’m passionate for others to experience life in a new was as I have – life with increasing health, wholeness, peace, rest and joy. My desire is to see others come to experience the healing I have, to enjoy life to the fullest, and to reach the fullest of their potential in living the life they never dreamed could be possible – it’s possible!
I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists, and I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. I am also a Chartered Professional Accountant, and hold a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Lethbridge, as well as a certificate of Power Engineering Fourth Class Theory from NAIT.
EFT Attachment Science in Practice (in Emotionally Focused Therapy), ACT For Beginners course (in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), and a webinar in addictions – The Best of What We Know About Addictions Counselling Today. My masters program included courses in assessments and trauma counselling.