From My Big Mouth to My Big Heart

People often ask me why I became first a lawyer, then a therapist. To understand me is to understand my career journey.

There are countless reasons why people become lawyers. Some go to law school with noble intentions, others do it for more pragmatic reasons.

I went to law school because I have a big mouth.

Did I really say that? Yes, I did.

For as long as I can remember, I challenged the people around me, especially my mom. If she said yes, I said no. If she said red, I said blue. I made arguing my hobby. If I felt passionate about something, I argued and advocated for it. My career vision began with my desire to advocate and make a difference in a courtroom. I use the same skills in my law practice as I did as an on-air legal analyst–thinking on my feet, answering off-the-cuff questions, and keeping facts straight. My legal knowledge allows me to bring an important perspective to discussions of social justice, law, and mental health.

Some people wonder why would a successful lawyer and media analyst become a therapist: Don’t you have enough education and degrees? Don’t you have enough on your plate?

Well, yes and no. My vision as a lawyer and a clinical therapist is to impact people on an individual level and help facilitate systemic change through my unique understanding of the law, the issues, and human psychology.

Social workers help make real change. And while I could continue to effect change with just my big mouth, I opted to gain the expertise in order to do it with my big heart. So, why did I become a social worker?

I got my Masters in Social Work (MSW) because I have a big heart. And, yes, my fellow lawyers, I did really say that.

– Robin Sax