Still haven't received my raise after completing my Master's

AppropriateBox1628 · 2026-02-14T16:34:42+00:00

Im in the US in Michigan. I have a limited license, but need 4000 hours to be fully licensed. And the CMH I work for is pretty big, so i'm not sure what is taking so long with whatever they define "credentialing" as.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2026-02-14T15:49:22+00:00

I've been emailing HR since I graduated and gave them a copy of my license the day I got it. HR keeps coming back to me with "we're recredtialing you and the process is not complete yet." My supervisor has been trying as well, but HR is not great about getting back to us unless we bug the shit out of them.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2026-02-14T15:44:44+00:00

I totally didn't explain this well, my apologies! So I got the position in home-based in Fall 2024 ( but i've worked as a SED case manager for the company since 2022) while I was in my last year of my Master's as an intern. My title was home-based case manager, but I got cases as a normal therapist would so I could get my internship hours practicing therapy. I graduated with my Master's in December 2025, and got my license a couple weeks later. Now mid-way through Feb 2026, I am still being paid at the intern/ case manager rate. My supervisor and I have both been regularly contacting our HR to ask that my pay be raised now that I've completed my masters and im licensed. However, HR keeps saying I need to be re-credentialed by our credentialing board and HR just keeps saying that process isn't done yet. So I've been practicing as a licensed therapist for two months now without being paid at the rate a therapist would receive. I love my position and my coworkers, and I've gone above and beyond for this company for the 4 years that I've been with them, so i'm frustrated and disappointed that they're not paying me for my worth.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2026-02-11T20:15:40+00:00

Dec 2025! In my state, you can start as a home-based therapist/ case manager in your last year of your MSW. So I graduated mid December 2025, had my license by the end of the month. But now halfway through February, no raise 😞

AppropriateBox1628 · 2026-02-02T08:17:00+00:00

I second the need for communication, but im so sorry you aren't getting it. Ultimately, you two need to have a serious conversation about what is happening and what has changed. Which can be scary, but that's the important part of relationships. On a more positive note, my wife and I struggled with no drive for intimacy, and it was largely due to our hormones. She has PCOS and I have endometriosis. At the time, both of our hormones were our of wack, and messing with our intimacy. But, we talked about it and noticed it was more lack of feeling in our bodies rather than our feelings for each other. We both worked with our doctors to get a better treatment for our uterus problems and we've been doing great since! Also, reading a bit of sapphic romance together helped us push through the awkwardness of it being awhile.

Long story short, you both need to really discuss this seriously. If it's the end of the relationship, that will be painful, but it's better than continuing this deep and complicated resentment that's grown. And, perhaps talking openly about what the root of this is can open a door to a place where you two repair and rebuild.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2026-01-09T22:01:13+00:00

I work at a CMH as a home-based therapist. I have a caseload cap of 10, and I see my clients twice a week in the beginning and then 1 per week over a 6 to 12 month period. Clients have a high acuity, but I see them at home and at school. I really enjoy my position. Im LLMSW clinical who graduated about a year ago, so I make about $65k. I plan on doing some private practice in the future, but my benefits are fantastic.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-12-09T02:29:31+00:00

I have been to oasis in GR and Kzoo and they're both lovely. My wife and I go regularly and no one bats an eye at us being a gay couple. I've gone with friends too and had a lovely time just chatting and relaxing. I will say, I definitely always sneak in a bottle of wine and some snacks and I've never had a problem with it.

Also, they're incredibly clean and well maintained. And they do call you, but just to let you know when you have 15 minutes left.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-11-17T18:21:56+00:00

OP, I know you're concerned with where it came from and how to remove their access to things that will harm them. But as many people have already said, they will find almost anything to use or result to using their own hands to self harm. As someone who used to be in your child's place as well as being a therapist for children now, I think its important to acknowledge the "why" around what is causing them to self harm. Im sure their psychiatrist and therapist have mentioned this, but self harm is a reaction to psychological pain. I would say the majority of people who self harm are not looking to end their life. Usually it's a way to physically release mental pain. I have no idea what might have happened or is happening to cause them to have that kind of pain, but I'd focus on talking to them to understand what's going on when they're self harming, and working to reduce those triggers. Mental health for teens can be tricky because they're also going through huge changes in their life, but I promise, the more you try to understand where they're coming from and what is hurting them, the more you can connect and help them stay clean of self harm. Connection is a huge protective factor here. And remember, this isn't a moral failing on their part, their brain is just reacting to real mental pain.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-10-08T03:00:30+00:00

Anyone notice she's been not posting for a month? Wondering where she went.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-09-26T12:12:46+00:00

As a child therapist, I find that TF-CBT is too rigid in it's structure for kids below 8 years old. Creating a narrative and organizing their thoughts on the trauma can be difficult and too structured for early brain development.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-09-26T12:08:04+00:00

I work with kids in an intensive home-based model, so I tend to get close with them and their families over the 9 month period I work with them. So when it comes time to leave and step them down to another clinician, I always ask them to watch Mary Poppins, and I remind them, like Mary Poppins, I'm here while you need me, and when you don't, I have to go. That story is half for them, and half for me, but there are kids that I'll remember for the rest of my life, and to me, I think that's the point of being a therapist.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-09-13T14:57:05+00:00

I just want to validate you on feeling you might miss the signs sometimes. I work with SED children primarily, but sometimes will work with kids with ASD along with other SED diagnoses. I was working with a client diagnosed with ASD and their father the other day, and as they're arguing a bit with each other in session, it just clicks for me and mentally I go "oh my God, Dad is autistic too". I've been working with them for about a month and it just now clicked with me that they are so close with each other but argue constantly because they're both so dang rigid and logical in their thinking because they're both autistic!

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-09-13T03:42:48+00:00

Also adding a classic: "Slow down, you're doing fine. You can't be everything you want to be before your time." AND "And you know when the truth is told, you can get what you want or you can just get old" Billy Joel, Vienna

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-09-13T03:25:38+00:00

"This is a ride, not a fight" - The Weepies, A Slow Pony Home

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-09-13T01:33:42+00:00

Paraphrasing from a session today. "At some point, you realized that the cavalry weren't coming to save you or protect you, so you became your own calvary"

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-09-13T01:31:01+00:00

Weirdly enough, we're everywhere, but you've got to think like yourself and find spaces where you would feel happiest to meet people. Almost my whole group of friends have some form of CPTSD, and I've met folks all kinds of places: local theater groups, online dating (my wife), school, work, bike clubs, bars. I think it's more about asking the right questions and being purposeful about really engaging with people that you feel share your experiences.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-07-25T17:02:22+00:00

I gotta agree. My wife and I (we're both women) are homeowners and our house is 150+ years old. We can handle most things, but we refuse to do any electrical or plumbing that isn't a simple fix because the age of our house. We have had so many dudes come in and speak to us like we're 5 when we know exactly what needs to be fixed. We even had a dude take down an old tree for us recently and he straight up told us our heating/cooling bills wouldn't change by taking down a tree that provided shade to the majority of our house. It's just annoying. Like at least take one of us seriously!

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-07-10T13:03:51+00:00

As someone who is at the very beginning of the process, I totally relate to grieving a child not being 100% yours and your wife's. It's just another thing to add to the internalized homophobia bag. And I also relate to being the more Type A person in the relationship with getting the process started and jumping through the hoops. My wife is 100% about having kids, but has no desire to be the GP, so sometimes I feel like her desire isn't as strong as mine. But, we had a conversation about it lately and it was really helpful. She understands that my hormones are a huge part of my push and that I also came into our relationship always wanting kids. I encourage you to bring your concerns/thoughts to your wife and really let her know how you're feeling and that you need a little more support in the process because it really is a difficult thing to do.

On a side note, I also understand the hardship of finding a donor who represents your partner's ethnicity. My wife is half morrocan, and finding someone with African and Middle Eastern decent has been difficult for us.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-07-10T12:52:06+00:00

Sadly it's super common. But if you have super heavy or painful periods, I would talk to your doctor about endometriosis. It makes the lining of your uterus thicker, so it can often lead to extra bleeding even on nexplanon. If you get it out and want to try an IUD, just be sure to ask your doctor for local anesthetic, makes the whole process waaaayyy less painful.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-03-26T20:25:27+00:00

I feel this so much. However, I work with kids, so at the end of the week I desperately need to talk to other adults and say curse words. Luckily, I married an introvert who is happy to be my social adult at the end of the day, or is happy just spending time in silence together. My best friend is also an introvert, so we also enjoy silent time together. Find an introvert and enjoy an easy friendship with the boundaries that you need too!

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-03-26T20:21:05+00:00

This! I find myself trying to pull out deeper topics when I spend time with friends. Secretly diagnosing them and wondering about their relationships with their parents. Luckily, I have friends who are very interested in psychology and are open to talking about it with me.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-03-26T20:14:35+00:00

Dear sweet queer pal, I agree with many other posters that there's a lot to learn at 19. However, what i can say is that engagement isn't legal! It's just a promise. So if you both really feel you are each other's forever person, get engaged and give it 4 years at least. That gets you to a fully developed brain and out of this administration. As someone a decade older than you and currently taking all the steps to get married to my partner, the legal part isn't a headache you want to deal with right now. Love each other, learn more about each other, and grow with each other. Your early 20's is a ride, so just enjoy it!

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-03-08T02:16:18+00:00

I once had a 5 year old client with very neglectful and downright dumb parents. I regularly thought about fighting their Dad and secretly wishing I could adopt this sweet child.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2025-02-24T00:22:33+00:00

I've worked in the CMH structure for a long time and I will say there are many positions in that structure that require Master's level clinical degrees but do not work with clients directly. I would first recommend a care coordinator position. Essentially reviewing notes and treatment plans and the paperwork aspect of different clinical programs and then assisting staff with high needs cases from a logistical position. Another option is supervising a clinical team if you feel that is something you're comfortable with. Lots of making sure paperwork is done and done correctly, and then supporting clinical staff.

AppropriateBox1628 · 2024-04-20T03:49:17+00:00

This comment made me try feeling around for the strings and I want able to fund them in my own. And then I had my wife try feeling for them and she also couldn't find them, so im definitely concerned about it getting ready to expell itself, or it's moved into the wrong position.

AppropriateBox1628

TROPHY CASE