I'm a tech worker but I have a network of friends who are therapists and social workers. I hope OP realizes that therapy is a slog and many of your clients won'

I'm a tech worker but I have a network of friends who are therapists and social workers. I hope OP realizes that therapy is a slog and many of your clients won't get better. Self-care for therapists is even more important than tech workers because you hear about terrible things day in and day out, and your clients (and their families) can be downright abusive at times. Also, it is much less financially lucrative than tech work. Internship lasts at least 2 years and many positions are unpaid or paid at essentially minimum wage, and pay does not get a whole lot better until you are running a private practice for wealthy clients (which depending on your opinions you might consider less rewarding than helping needier people). So I hope the OP is realistic about how this will impact their financial and emotional trajectory in life. All that being said, the skills you learn in training are useful to any walk of life. I frequently consult with these friends about how to deal with work situations, child rearing, and they are able to give me really amazing insights and help me navigate those situations. But just be honest with yourself as you go through the process, and be thankful that you have a lucrative fallback if needed.