Welcome to Episode 3 of The Inside Story, the Rhodes Wellness College Podcast.
In this heartfelt and honest conversation, host Jameson Dean sits down with Victoria Mercedes Rose, a graduate of Rhodes’ Professional Counselling Diploma Program. Victoria is now a counsellor, coach, and the founder of Embodied Life Wellness.
What It Means to Be a “Soul in a Human Body”
Throughout the episode, Victoria explores what it’s like to walk the path of a helping professional. She shares how identifying as a “soul in a human body” shapes the way she supports her clients. This perspective, she explains, helps her show up more authentically and deepen her connections with others.
Along the way, Victoria also opens up about the realities of impostor syndrome, the emotional hurdles of starting a private practice, and the slow, powerful process of building trust with clients.
Key Takeaways from the Episode
Here are some of the insights listeners will walk away with:
- The transformative power of presence in the counselling room
- Ways to overcome self-doubt and age bias as a young professional
- How Rhodes’ experiential learning model helps build real-world confidence
- Why personal healing is essential when doing this work
- How parts work and somatic tools are reshaping her approach to therapy
- A reminder that private practice takes time, patience, and self-trust
Embracing Imperfection, Practicing Authenticity
Victoria speaks candidly about what life looked like after graduation. She describes the leap of faith it took to launch her business, including the decision to burn through her savings to get started. She also reflects on what it felt like to face rejection and why it taught her valuable lessons in humility and grace.
At the core of her work, Victoria emphasizes presence over perfection. As she puts it:
“It doesn’t actually matter what I know. What matters is my presence. My openness. The safety I can create in the room.”
This wisdom will resonate with anyone considering a career in counselling or those currently walking that path.
A Conversation for Counsellors, Students, and Seekers
Whether you’re an aspiring therapist, a current Rhodes student, or simply someone interested in the inner world of healing professionals, this episode offers a meaningful look behind the scenes. It reminds us that being a good practitioner isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about showing up, again and again, with care, curiosity, and compassion.
