By Makela Mims, LMFT
My day usually begins with prayer and meditation—a sacred time to center myself before stepping into the day’s challenges. One morning, as I sat in my quiet space, writing in my prayer journal, I found myself reflecting on the experience of mentoring a young woman who had been shadowing me for the past few days. This young lady, a bright and ambitious psychology major heading into her senior year, had asked to intern with me for the summer. Her goal was to learn from my experience as a Marriage and Family Therapist and gain insight into the world of private practice—a career path she aspires to follow as she sets her sights on becoming a sports psychologist for a professional athletic team.
I remember feeling surprised when she first reached out to me for this internship opportunity. I had the privilege of being interviewed by her before, and the idea that she would choose to spend her summer learning from me was both flattering and humbling. She was an impressive young woman with a clear sense of direction, and the thought that she saw value in shadowing me filled me with a deep sense of responsibility.
As I sat in my prayer space that morning, I realized I was experiencing something new—pressure. Now, I’ve certainly been under pressure many times in my life, but this was different. This wasn’t the pressure that comes from external demands or the weight of expectation. This was a “good pressure”—a force that compelled me to rise to the occasion, to be the best version of myself for the sake of someone else.
We often talk about pressure in negative terms. Peer pressure, societal pressure, internalized pressure—they’re all frequently framed as forces that can undermine our well-being, leading to stress, anxiety, and burnout. But what about when pressure is effective, when it serves as a catalyst for growth and improvement? As I reflected on the situation, I realized that this “good pressure” was something I hadn’t anticipated but was deeply grateful for.
When I first began my journey as a Marriage and Family Therapist, mentorship wasn’t even on my radar. I was focused on honing my skills, building my practice, and serving my clients to the best of my ability. But life has a way of surprising us, of bringing unexpected opportunities our way. Over the past three weeks, I had the opportunity to mentor and be shadowed by a stellar young woman who, like me, is passionate about helping others navigate life’s complexities. It’s funny how, in trying to teach someone else, you often end up learning so much yourself.
Mentoring this young lady was a blessing—one that I didn’t see coming but that I am incredibly thankful for. She may see this experience as a valuable step in her career journey, but the truth is, it was just as valuable to me. Pouring into her, sharing my experiences, and watching her soak up the knowledge like a sponge reminded me of the importance of what I do every day. It renewed my sense of purpose and gave me a fresh perspective on the impact I can have on the next generation of therapists.
To the future Dr. Nailah DuBose, you are a gift to the world. Mentoring you has been an honor, and I am beyond excited to watch you write the narrative of your life. Cheers to the future, and all the incredible things you will undoubtedly accomplish. Keep embracing the good pressure—it’s what will propel you forward and help you achieve your dreams.
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