Uncertainty in one's own professional skills, fear of causing harm or losing authority in the eyes of the client are typical fears of a beginner psychologist. The question of the first steps in the profession is very relevant for our graduates.

 That is why students of the bachelor's and master's levels of education of the Horliv Institute of Foreign Languages took part in the webinar with great interest "Pitfalls of a budding psychologist: how to grow a professional and not burn out along the way?", which took place on April 24, 2024 within the framework of the Spring Week of Psychology at GIIIM and was organized by the Institute's Center for Psychological Support.

Practical psychologist Margarita Maiboroda (works in the direction of gestalt therapy and existential therapy), a specialist in the "Cozy Space" project of the "East SOS" charity fund, sincerely shared her own experience of "entering the profession". There was a frank, lively conversation about fears and inspirations in working with children; about the separation of responsibility between oneself and the client, about the importance of feeling personal boundaries in emotional communication with a person, about the realities of limitations of one's own tolerance and competence of a psychologist.

We would like to thank Margarita for her inner confidence and persuasiveness, for her clear focus and determination of the main professional traits of a successful psychologist: to show sincere interest in a person, to give space to one's own feelings, to be able to listen and hear, to have an insatiable interest in learning and self-development.