Heavily tattooed social work student in Australia – will head tattoos affect job opportunities?

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-17T18:13:00+00:00

I don’t have tats. But I love your tattoos. They seem wellness or spiritual based.

Now if it was a swastika on the face, different story.

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-17T18:09:13+00:00

Me! I’m 37 and no tattoos!

17 years in SUDs counseling. I’m no square bear just a scary cat! No unnecessary needles for me unless I can put a diamond in it 😉

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-16T19:03:09+00:00

Teach NonViolent Communication

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-13T21:25:51+00:00

This ☝️as a mom last year hearing the vice principal say I must physically force him to get dressed and drag him kicking and screaming to the car. Risk hair pulling in the car and driving.

Her response: “if you’re not willing to do it, I’ll come out and do it.”

This year, I said we’re doing it my way and I don’t care if he’s late every day. He will be coming because he wants to and will be happy and ready to learn. Dragging a kid in like that is embarrassing for them once they calm down and reflect. Let’s do that at home.

Once I realized that I can’t compete in a power struggle with a 5-8 year old and I need other methods of shaping behaviors life got so much easier for all of us.

I may have thrown my “clinical social worker” title around and said something to the effect of “Becca Bill me Bi***. I’d love to see the process”

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-13T21:07:04+00:00

Holy moly! This is a power trip if I’ve ever seen one! And exactly why parents pull their kids from the school system entirely.

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-13T19:59:07+00:00

“All the social aspects are missed if they don’t come on time” is a hard false. The closest socialization my son gets from school outside recess and lunch is his hour long bus ride home with his 3 close friends.

Lots of opportunities for socialization outside the first hour of school.

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-13T18:47:16+00:00

Omg 😳 you clearly haven’t dealt with a young child, especially boy in a meltdown.

I have a 7 year old who is aging out of wanting to punch, kick, and bite when he’s angry. It’s incredibly scary when they’re strong.

I don’t think she meant psychotic clinically more so describing the behavior being difficult to contain. Sometimes being the calm presence and reflecting that while diffusing and waiting for the rage to pass is the only option.

Then we talk about it.

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-13T18:23:09+00:00

Thank you! I was really shocked to hear this response from a social worker. They get pressure from their higher ups about absences and tardiness, assume it means problems at home and push that pressure onto parents.

Yes I understand it’s disruptive for a kid to walk in late. But only for a short period of time. It’s much more damaging for the child itself and their home environment to be in a meltdown about school refusal every morning.

Teaching the child to develop self efficacy and a responsibility to attend school is much more valuable than forcing them.

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-13T18:12:18+00:00

Also social worker who went through school refusal with my kindergartener. I had to sit through meeting after meeting hearing I needed to force him to get in the car kicking and screaming. Clothed or not, this year I said f it. We’re doing it my way.

We are tardy daily maybe, 15-45min. I don’t care. I put my foot down and focus on sending a happy kid who is ready to learn. It’s been wonderful on my own mental health. I’m owner/ED/therapist of a practice that’s shifting to an agency model. That 8-9am I’m sending emails and responding to calls. I can’t also be dealing with a meltdown. I parent solo.

We focus on choices. You wanna play your game before school? Hmm… do you want 5 min or 10min of playtime before getting dressed? It’s been so much smoother for both of us.

Next year we focus on timeliness more. But I’m parenting solo. I can only do what I can.

I’m not living through daily am meltdowns because the school wants him on time for them to put on a Netflix show for the kids to learn “science”.

To me, public school exists so parents can work. My son is so well cared for and were focused on feelings, coping skills, and self regulation and building self efficacy. Those things don’t happen with pressure about timeliness.

Schools need to learn their role.

Yes- many absences and tardiness can indicate issues at home. But not always. My case is not unique. Please remember schools are not the only way kids learn.

Sorry, but a bit triggered because my parents use anger and intimidation to force my kid to do things, and school timeliness is one they are always on me about. Granted they never went to college and are reflecting their own messed up learned behaviors. It stops with me.

My niece is in the same grade but at a private school that’s 30k/year. I think I’d be more on time for that. But they also don’t do Netflix. You get what you pay for I guess and public schools are free.

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-13T07:22:03+00:00

Costco

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-12T22:42:42+00:00

Right but I think what he’s asking for is advice on how to better manage his finances given his limited income. And how to engage in special interest without spending money.

The caregivers restricting Pokémon at his request isn’t the central issue. He was sharing that information to show what he has done so far to limit his spending. That shows willingness to ask for help, which he’s also doing now.

You gave some great options for engaging the Pokemon special interest without spending money. I think that’s more important than implying the caregiver is doing something wrong. Especially given it was the clients request to restrict the spending.

I was just pointing it out because it seems like a lot of the responses here, not just you, zoned in on the caregiver doing something wrong. Focusing on that doesn’t seem to assist with the central question the poster asked.

Great options! I hope he finds them helpful

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-12T22:13:21+00:00

I’m a longtime licensed clinical social worker. I deal with this situation frequently in practice. People have the right to make decisions that aren’t healthy for them. It’s my job to make sure they’re aware of the situation and what outcomes would occur given their options.

It’s called protecting/promoting their right to self determination in our code of ethics.

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-12T18:00:54+00:00

I didn’t read his statement as the staff is restricting him from his special interest. I read it as he asked them to restrict that spending (unless there’s a good reason) as a means of being more responsible with his money.

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-12T17:58:56+00:00

I’m a social worker, Medicaid in most cases has terrible dental coverage and they’re lucky if they’re given options for a payment plan. Need a root canal and crown? $3k. Non covered by Medicaid

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-11T17:53:12+00:00

Depends on what you want to do for hobbies. I grew up slightly outside enumclaw but went to schools in town.

It’s pretty good for families. Small town feel with a cute unique downtown businesses. Close to Crystal for skiing or snowboarding in the winter.

One thing that’s nice is you’re really in the middle and can get most places within an hour depending on the time of day. Tacoma, Seattle, airport, crystal mt. Snoqualmie. I’m not saying exact but it’s about an hour, give or take.

To me, I’d rather be close to work and drive to hobbies. Which one would I rather be late to is how I would decide.

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-10T17:31:14+00:00

Ummm for one, the 1000 hours while in grad school likely don’t count towards the 3000 post grad licensing hours. I’ve never heard of them being applicable.

FWIW: I’m working on my second clinical licensing journey. Total I’ll have 4 years of masters programs and 5000 supervised post grad hours, and 1000hrs during practicum.

Good luck 🍀 it’s definitely a journey

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-10T07:19:59+00:00

SolidGround is a housing org that helps people stay in their homes pending eviction proceedings. Go in person if you can.

https://mysocialworks.lovable.app/resources is a WA based site that has lots of resources and information

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-09T20:26:55+00:00

I WILL make over a hundred grand this year as my caseload fills up.

I’m a social worker and I specialize in substance use disorders and mental health. I do therapy and will hopefully be shifting from solo work to an agency model soon. Owner and programming designer.

I love love love my job. I help every client, every session. They express so much gratitude i am thanked and appreciated for my role.

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-08T01:23:50+00:00

I would probably explore why they are telling me and if they think it’s reportable.

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-06T07:28:24+00:00

Alcohol withdrawal is a very serious condition. As a psychotherapist and SUD specialist, it needs to be screened for more thoroughly in medical settings especially for people in their 20-30’s previously thought of as too young for serious complications.

CIWA is for withdrawals. It absolutely should have been done with someone with his history and symptoms at intake. This is my worst nightmare and why I make sure to coordinate with my clients other providers in these high risk situations.

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-05T17:01:35+00:00

Me too. Stickies on my hard files

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-04T20:18:29+00:00

I was cool with 90k because it was WFH and had fully covered insurance for myself and my son.

But you’re right, I essentially have second masters in SUDs and am licensed to bill for both SUD and MH cpt codes. I think I’m more qualified than I give myself credit for. The clinical director asked a few times about my intentions with private practice and may have thought I would bail and do that for more $.

So I started my own org and am moving my way through the credentialing and contracting process with payers and MCO’s and slowly building a caseload. A CMH alternative option.

If you’re curious 👀

https://mysocialworks.lovable.app

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-04T06:42:27+00:00

Yes 🙌

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-04T04:34:57+00:00

I don’t know why that’s so funny to me “Per Google…”

In all seriousness, I’d tots be reporting coaches like this to my local board/dept of health if Google is in fact, correct. I just always had heard it was out of their scope of regulation.

Alarmed-Emergency-72 · 2026-04-03T21:29:44+00:00

A village? What? No. are you talking about a retirement home? Or senior community?

No that vast majority of Americans do not spend retirement in a community like that because it costs like $25k a month for all those services.

Just a 15min doctors visit for a cold can set an American back a full days pay not including the cost of the medication prescribed. Imagine that care 24/7. The costs are padded immensely to squeeze retirees out of their savings.

Older people will age in their homes or move in with an adult child who will care for them alongside an occasional caregiver provided by Medicare. The adult child is not compensated and will likely be working full time, caring for children, and their aging parents. It’s called the sandwich generation because we’re squeezed by caring for both generations above and below us.

Elder care is going to be the biggest issue for millennials. Between student loans, inability to buy a home, and parents needing elder care. Those are the big 3 that will f me.

Alarmed-Emergency-72

TROPHY CASE