From Broadway to Grad School – Special Series Becoming a Therapist: An interview with Derek Isetti

The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

From Broadway to Grad School – Special Series Becoming a Therapist: An interview with Derek Isetti

In this new series, Curt and Katie interview graduate students and will follow them on their journey to becoming a therapist. Our first interview is with Derek Isetti, a 50-year-old graduate student in a two-year Master of Social Work program at California State University, Stanislaus. Derek shares his journey from careers in musical theater and speech-language pathology to pursuing a career in therapy. He reflects on the challenges, surprises, and personal factors influencing his decision to return to school, offering insights into navigating graduate education and the mental health profession.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

An Interview with Derek Isetti

Derek Isetti, PhD, CCC-SLP earned his bachelor of arts in drama with an emphasis in musical theater from University of California, Irvine in 1996. After traveling the country in four national tours and performing in the musical Cabaret on Broadway, Derek returned to school and in 2008 he earned his master of science in Speech-Language Pathology from University of the Pacific. He later earned his doctor of philosophy in Speech and Hearing Sciences from University of Washington, studying voice disorders under the mentorship of Dr. Tanya Eadie. He joined the Pacific faculty in 2014 and is currently serving as Department Chair. In the Fall of 2023, he returned to school to pursue an MSW degree in hopes of becoming a psychotherapist. Derek is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

In this podcast episode, we meet Derek Isetti, an aspiring therapist

We are starting a new series to follow graduate students on their journey to become a therapist. We start with Derek Isetti, a third career therapist who is working full-time while attending a MSW program in Northern CA. (summary provided in collaboration with Otter.ai and ChatGPT)

The experience of transitioning careers to become a therapist

Derek explains his shift from a performer and speech-language pathologist to therapy, motivated by a desire to create supportive, transformative spaces for others.

What graduate school can be like for aspiring therapists

He details his MSW program structure, designed for working professionals, which includes online courses, in-person classes once a month, and 1,000 hours of fieldwork by graduation.

How therapy students can balance academic and personal life

Derek shares how his personal circumstances, being single, working in academia, and attending a state university for affordability—helped shape his path.

Some challenges and surprises on the path to becoming a therapist

He discusses the variability in program lengths (some social work programs are only 1 year, for example), California’s unique licensure process for social workers, and the tension between broad social work education and specialized psychotherapy training.

How current events and technology are addressed in therapy grad school

Derek highlights the integration of national events and teletherapy technology into his program and the importance of addressing these topics with clients and students.

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined

Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:

Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/

Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/