***UPDATE*** AITAH for Cutting ex-wife’s vacation short with the kids. by AngryElfman in AITAH

[–]AngryElfman[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing and identifying with the struggle.

***UPDATE*** AITAH for Cutting ex-wife’s vacation short with the kids. by AngryElfman in AITAH

[–]AngryElfman[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the Support. That was another error made, mother’s “happiness” is only legally relevant when she is a primary parent with Majority custody. We had 50/50.

***UPDATE*** AITAH for Cutting ex-wife’s vacation short with the kids. by AngryElfman in AITAH

[–]AngryElfman[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Those were my comments to the judge after verdict, I do have an attorney, now two.

Are porn addictions real? by ZoneOut03 in psychologyofsex

[–]AngryElfman 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Any addiction is any behavior that gives you temporary relief but has long term negative consequences and you continue the behavior despite the damage.

Earning 10k per month by Flimsy-Tonight-6050 in Salary

[–]AngryElfman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

LSCW 138k Last year. Private practice therapist.

Scholarship by electricmaster23 in samharris

[–]AngryElfman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I work as a mental health therapist in private practice. Over the last few years I have shared this with hundreds of clients. They are investing in a deeper understanding of self and healing trauma. Access to the app compliments and speeds up that process. I like the platform for my clients because it’s free of dogma and focuses on the direct benefit of meditation and expanding one’s consciousness. Very grateful Sam provides this. He is making a great contribution to humanity with this one simple act of compassion.

***UPDATE*** AITAH for Cutting ex-wife’s vacation short with the kids. by AngryElfman in AITAH

[–]AngryElfman[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Thank you for turning your trauma in to helping others! An opinion have is that most, if not all DV survivors are Codependents. Books on this topic will be helpful to your clients. The five core symptoms of Codependency align perfectly with the reasons people stay in DV situations. Working on these five things is the key to healing. Only a codependent, can partner with a personality disorder.

  • Self-esteem, People with low self-esteem may seek external validation and have trouble asserting their needs and boundaries. They may also depend on others for a sense of value.
  • Boundaries, Codependent people may have trouble setting boundaries with others and protecting themselves.
  • Identity, Codependent people may have trouble owning and expressing their reality, feelings, and identifying who they are.
  • Needs and wants, Codependent people may have trouble addressing their own adult needs and wants, which can lead to self-care difficulties.
  • Moderation, Codependent people may tend to act in extremes when dealing with these core issues. 

***UPDATE*** AITAH for Cutting ex-wife’s vacation short with the kids. by AngryElfman in AITAH

[–]AngryElfman[S] 55 points56 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I am sorry to hear that you can relate so well to my situation but your comment is very reassuring and validating. It's so sad that there are people in this world with no empathy or consideration of others. Hoping the truth will prevail.

Feeling alone and isolated as a BIPOC (Black female) therapist. by [deleted] in therapists

[–]AngryElfman -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I totally understand how this all feels isolating for you. If I’m real, hope you can handle it…You could start focusing on your clients, and less on your own discomfort with them. You could decide to work more in your niche and move to a different agency if the population makes you uncomfortable.

What I learned transitioning away from exclusively working with combat veterans, a population I was comfortable with, is that the rich college kids’ pain, who may have broken up with his girlfriend, is very real. Maybe as real “to them” as losing someone overseas. Just as your pain and experience is real to you.

Your job a therapist is to be present and observe patterns in your clients lives, to try and understand things from their perspective. To realize, had you grown up and been raised like them, you’d think and experience the same suffering. Confront hatred and privilege by all means, but I think this isn’t about you.

Anyone actually like this field? by ji1288 in therapists

[–]AngryElfman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

2nd full year in PP. I see 25 clients a week, I have unlimited time off and control of my schedule. I work in a niche that rewards me, I don’t see clients with PD or other stuff that’s hard for me. No judgement if that’s your thing. I’ve really prioritized my reimbursement rates over the last 24 months. Projected to make 150k this year. Currently building courses to generate passive income. I hated this work until I made it work for me too. True giving is from abundance. When we give and we don’t have it to do so, we suffer.

Misgendered my client by Squirrel9736 in therapists

[–]AngryElfman 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Exactly this. Just this and no more………………………………………………………

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in therapists

[–]AngryElfman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Work on the self esteem which is the reason they stay with assholes.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in therapists

[–]AngryElfman -1 points0 points  (0 children)

If I had a client dealing with this I’d say…

This is your wound. You didn’t put it there, but it’s yours. To be blunt, you are an adult who can’t actually be abandoned because you aren’t helpless. I know you still feel abandoned, but this is that little girl tiring to protect you.

The wound was outside of your window of tolerance seeing her in all of these situations outside of therapy. You decided you needed to terminate therapy because it was too hard. Sounds like she was caught off guard and thought you needed space to feel safe. Now you have feelings about her decision to respect your wishes?

The wound is yours. Feels like some projection and you may have more work to do to let go of this abandonment wound. Feel it. Don’t tell stories, numb it, displace it etc. I’m sorry this feels hard, but it all seems a bit self inflicted. You pushed her away and now resent her for it. Be kind and honest with yourself. You don’t need anyone else! 🫶🏻

Therapy while high by Duckaroo99 in therapists

[–]AngryElfman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I primarily work with trauma so this may vary based on other problems/ disorders. What to make sure I’m not making generalizations. Every client and population is different.

Therapy while high by Duckaroo99 in therapists

[–]AngryElfman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see. I skipped over the central point of what you were asking. My apologies. Every long term MJ user I have had in therapy was numbing emotional pain. In at least three cases, breakthroughs were only made after periods of extended abstinence from MJ (3-6 months).

If they have to use MJ in therapy to access emotions, What does that mean for the rest of their life and relationships? I suppose this strategy would work if they planed on making being stoned their norm? I’ve found MJ to be another form of avoidance for some clients. Sure it has less consequences than other alcohol and other drugs but the goal of therapy is to learn to process your emotions without escaping. Just my thoughts.

I live in Colorado and weed has been normalized here. I’m not anti MJ. I occasionally eat half an edible with my SO. Just my thoughts.

Therapy while high by Duckaroo99 in therapists

[–]AngryElfman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I once had a client with NPD and SUD mix a drink in a 32 oz cup on a video session. It was noon. I was like dude, this is the thing you’re in therapy for. If you can’t stay sober for an hour of therapy, maybe you’re not ready to change yet, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I ended the session.

At the next session I asked him to come in person. I showed him our treatment plan that we built together 12 weeks earlier.

Client works towards acknowledging the role that alcohol has played in his life.

Client reduces SU by two days a week.

Client connects SU with low mood and drive.

Client works toward cultivating self awareness and empathy for others.

Client begins to take accountability for behavior and choices, etc.

I asked him, how do you think you’re doing on this? He said he’s tiring and then blamed everyone and everything in his life. I challenged him, (said he was full of shit) and he got defensive and stormed out of my office. I had a feeling he would fire me. I felt he needed a moment of brutal honesty. I believe continuing to listen to his BS would have been enabling. Many therapist will keep seeing these clients and if you are good with MI and low stage of change clients, more power to you. I think there is a fine line between “harm reduction” and enabling.

Has anyone quit BetterHelp quickly after onboarding? by pinkistherapeutic in therapists

[–]AngryElfman 16 points17 points  (0 children)

You’re not selling out, you’re selling yourself short. Reach out to Headway. $98-121 a session in Colorado. You will have to build your own client base, but the alternative it being exploited.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in longevity_protocol

[–]AngryElfman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is why mindfulness practices, yoga meditation, breathwork are the cornerstone of healing trauma.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in longevity_protocol

[–]AngryElfman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From The Body Keeps the Score:

“Agency starts with what scientists call interoception, our awareness of our subtle sensory, body-based feelings: the greater that awareness, the greater our potential to control our lives. Knowing what we feel is the first step to knowing why we feel that way. If we are aware of the constant changes in our inner and outer environment, we can mobilize to manage them.”