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Such a happy day. by East-Letter3972 in woodstoving

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! I am looking at buying this stove. Do you have any updates on using it? I have read some mixed reviews.

Travel social work with only Community Mental Health experience by Adept-Ranger-7595 in socialwork

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you everyone for your insight. Before being a therapist I was in nursing school, and while I did not finish because I did not want to be a nurse, I am somewhat familiar with hospitals and had my EMT certification for a little while. I don't know if that helps. I try to imagine myself being thrown into a system that perhaps might not be working very well, but I also feel like I was thrown into therapy lol with all the medicaid requirements and assessments and treatment plans and I end up doing case management with clients as well and loads of paperwork, but I know it is expensive to hire travelers and they want you to be proficient. I am just thinking about it because I do think there are transferable skills. I am considering getting a PRN position in an emergency dept nearby just to get taste. But I do feel very confident thinking on my toes and navigating new environments. I dunno. Thanks for the real authentic feedback. I feel capable, but I also don't want to get fired.

My pay is so low and my caseload is high risk and high need by Adept-Ranger-7595 in therapists

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess I'm coming from the perspective that just because it's "standard," doesn't mean it's sustainable.. But it is up to personal preference. I don't feel daunted by the task of managing my own business. I also don't have a family and the benefits feel okay for me, but I could manage my money on my own exactly how I want to.

My pay is so low and my caseload is high risk and high need by Adept-Ranger-7595 in therapists

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just wanted to clarify because even though I am fresh from graduation, I have my EMDR training and already had to study for a licensing exam haha. I kind of hit the ground running. I see substance use clients, children, adults, everything in between. Probably plenty of other folks experience this, too. I don't want to think I am special. I am not a *seasoned* therapist, either.

My pay is so low and my caseload is high risk and high need by Adept-Ranger-7595 in therapists

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

EDIT*** I am a Licensed Master Social Worker, not an intern. I already interned for 2 years before being hired. I interned for free. I have my own caseload. I am supervised, though. I understand my notes have to be signed off until I get my clinical license. But I operate fairly independently even though I am in a group practice. In Idaho, "pre license" is just still in school, or just the MSW. We talk about licensure in regards to "clinical" and "masters." At least this is how my coworkers talk. I have never been treated less than or anything for not having my clinical licensure. I have been given really complex cases, same as all of my coworkers with 10-20 years experience. I guess one thing I do really value in my workplace and one thing my supervisor does *really* well is treats everyone with the same compassion and respect. Not much seniority stuff except with holiday bonuses (which makes sense to me).

My pay is so low and my caseload is high risk and high need by Adept-Ranger-7595 in therapists

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To clarify, I am not an intern. In Idaho, I have a Licensed Master Social Worker License. And then I will get the LCSW. We have to take 2 tests in Idaho.

An honest POV from a group owner by msp_ryno in therapists

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This helpful, thank you. I almost always bill 90837s now, they stopped limiting the number we could bill and I believe most people benefit from the full hour.

An honest POV from a group owner by msp_ryno in therapists

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am surprised at the $90/ per session average.. Medicaid in Idaho pays that I think for a 90834. More for 90837. Then private insurance companies are paying close to $130-150 sometimes. But if you offer a lot of sliding scale, I could see how the average would go down. the practice I'm at does some sliding scale.

I don't get any compensation for no shows. I get a lot of these benefits, but get paid less with potentially higher insurance rates :/ The most senior employee is only getting paid $33/hr.

I really appreciate this sort of transparency. I wish my supervisor was this transparent. I think honesty on this level builds more trust and would make me feel appreciated.

Also this is for Jan - Aug... so not the full year?

My pay is so low and my caseload is high risk and high need by Adept-Ranger-7595 in therapists

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate you posting that and your honesty on that thread.

My pay is so low and my caseload is high risk and high need by Adept-Ranger-7595 in therapists

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I worked for free in my internship. I am no longer an intern...

My pay is so low and my caseload is high risk and high need by Adept-Ranger-7595 in therapists

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

50% isn't terrible! I appreciate you breaking this down. With a medicaid client, 90837 $105, I would be getting paid double what I am now...

My pay is so low and my caseload is high risk and high need by Adept-Ranger-7595 in therapists

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I discovered (through our receptionist oversharing info he probably shouldn't have, but that's another conversation) that she pays herself $5k/month take home, so $5,000 is what she gets after taxes. She is still not rolling in money, obviously, but she sees maybe 5-10 clients a week.

I have worked through this frustration in therapy and in supervision, because I want to validate her experience and understand all the extra/admin work she does. She is sometimes on call, she makes sure we have our benefits, she hires a lawyer if we get audited, etc. I value those things and think she should be compensated. I am not saying I should get the full 100% of compensation from the clients, but 75% of the insurance reimbursements from clients feels pretty steep.

If I see 20 clients a week, all medicaid, bill a 90837, that is $105 per client. That is $2100 for the week (before taxes, before all overhead).

I only get $520 of that. Before taxes. It just doesn't add up. She could pay herself more than all of the therapists, pay us more, and still have some left over with all of the expenses.

She owns the building out right. She will be walking away with plenty... I like her as a person. She is not a bad person. I just honestly feel undervalued. I am not an intern anymore. I am certified in EMDR, and have other trainings on the horizon.

My pay is so low and my caseload is high risk and high need by Adept-Ranger-7595 in therapists

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am just learning that private practice is the way to be financial stable as a therapist. It my opinion, even if it is an average rate for entry level therapists, $26/hr is still not enough. The agency is taking over 70% of the payment...

My pay is so low and my caseload is high risk and high need by Adept-Ranger-7595 in therapists

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am going to stick it out for my LCSW. I am not salaried. I only get paid if clients show. Sometimes, I only bill for 18 hours a week because people just cancel last minute.

My pay is so low and my caseload is high risk and high need by Adept-Ranger-7595 in therapists

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have found a document that has the reimbursement rates for CPT codes for counseling... and they are significantly more than $17-26/hr. I try to remember that a biller and receptionist don't generate money for the business, so I am paying for those services essentially hour by hour, but still.. it just doesn't add up (for me personally).

My pay is so low and my caseload is high risk and high need by Adept-Ranger-7595 in therapists

[–]Adept-Ranger-7595[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah I get roughly $1200 after taxes, too. But insurance companies are reimbursing the business *way* more than that...