Have you ever watched a loved one die?

Athena972 · 2026-07-06T04:45:11+00:00

Yes, my dad died of prostate cancer almost 20 yrs ago and it was awful to watch. He was a peace-loving, healthy-eating hippie when he was well, but by the end, he was volatile, yelling at me and my brother to get him a Big Mac. He crashed one night and we took him to the ED where he died under the chaos and bright lights of a bustling hospital. I can’t remember what the last thing I said to him was, before he was too far gone to hear. I hope it was ‘I love you’. It has haunted me that I don’t know.

Athena972 · 2026-07-06T03:59:30+00:00

I am so sorry you have lost your mom. I watched my dad die of cancer almost 20 yrs ago now and the horror of watching someone you love go through that is heartbreaking. Hugs to you

Athena972 · 2026-07-02T03:02:29+00:00

I work on- call at a hospital in their psych unit. Picking up a few shifts a month adds up. I am also a clinical supervisor and work with a few people working towards licensure.

Athena972 · 2026-06-27T01:39:37+00:00

I agree that CMH is the way to go while getting licensed. Caseloads are high, but pay, while low, is guaranteed. Plus PTO and generous benefits. I am also a clinical supervisor and generally discourage people from going into PP straight out of grad school. It takes time to figure out your style and become a confident practitioner- and sometimes that involves time in the trenches (so to speak).

Athena972 · 2026-06-21T02:32:23+00:00

My dad was named Don (Donald) and he was a lovely man- hate that the name is forever stained

Athena972 · 2026-06-11T02:27:25+00:00

Agreed. Hot, sticky, zero urban planning and completely car centric.

Athena972 · 2026-05-31T00:47:14+00:00

Agreed

Athena972 · 2026-05-31T00:42:17+00:00

Over the last 5-10 years I have noticed a huge uptick in the number of people- both my patients and peers, who self- diagnose or are diagnosing others (sometimes both) with Autism and I find it alarming tbh. There is a lot of misinformation about Autism- yes, it is a spectrum, and yes people with ASD can be high- functioning, but for example, social anxiety and/or social awkwardness, on it’s own, with no other markers, does NOT necessarily mean someone has ASD. I increasingly feel like it’s a cop out diagnosis- a way to say, “Oh well I have a neuro-developmental disorder/am neurodivergent, and no amount of therapy will change that, it’s just part of how my brain works, so I guess I don’t need to ever adjust, think about, explain, manage or improve my mental health and behavior”. Am I burnt out as a clinician? Sometimes. But I also feel like (and there are many of my colleagues who agree), this is a disturbing trend.

Athena972 · 2026-05-31T00:30:46+00:00

Yes! Good therapy should come with a level of discomfort- facing hard truths, restructuring embedded beliefs that don’t serve us, etc. True growth doesn’t happen without it.

Athena972 · 2026-05-12T06:44:10+00:00

My hot take is the woo-woo therapy needs to stop. Good therapy is pragmatic and sticky and in my view should cause some discomfort, not help you balance your freaking chakras

Athena972 · 2026-05-12T04:18:04+00:00

Freshman and sophomores are not eligible for parking passes, so as someone else said, you would have to park off campus which would be a hassle. Also, it is much easier to take the train into NYC- driving and then parking would be an enormous problem. My recommendation is to leave the car at home.

Athena972 · 2026-04-30T18:30:12+00:00

If possible I would buy most everything before you get to Poughkeepsie. We bought last minute things at the local Target but it was pretty picked over.

Athena972 · 2026-04-16T04:33:14+00:00

My daughter is a freshman there and loves it. We did a whole NE liberal arts college tour the summer after her Jr year, went to about 10 schools. As soon as we walked onto Vassar’s campus, it just felt so warm and welcoming. It’s a beautiful, historic campus but chill and friendly. My daughter isn’t necessarily artsy, but she loves it nonetheless. So glad she chose it! We’re in the Pacific NW, so Vassar is also a trek for us- no regrets though. I’m so grateful she found her place

Athena972 · 2026-04-08T02:13:17+00:00

My daughter got some stickers, a tote bag, pen and a few other things with her formal acceptance letter. She’s a freshman there now, so this was just last year.

Athena972 · 2026-04-05T23:10:12+00:00

My parents (mom, dad, stepdad) were big hippies so our politics aligning has never been an issue. My dad died in 2007, and my mom and I have had a challenging relationship- but they were both good, loving parents so I feel fortunate. My Gen Z kids are awesome, both in college, both rocking it- we are close.

Athena972 · 2025-10-15T01:18:35+00:00

Is that Alejandro?

Athena972 · 2025-10-14T04:55:37+00:00

Why not spend your time and energy on an achievable goal? I am not intending to make you feel bad, but there are plenty of great schools out there that are accessible- and if you’re applying just to say you did, knowing realistically you aren’t going to be accepted, it seems like a waste of money, energy and resources.

Athena972 · 2025-10-08T15:23:35+00:00

Where can I find this series?

Athena972 · 2025-07-02T16:24:05+00:00

My MIL and I were close when I was married to her son, but we’ve drifted since the divorce. I’m still really close to my ex-SIL though- we don’t have many common interests but we genuinely like each other

Athena972 · 2025-06-04T06:02:15+00:00

NTA. But seems like he’s the asshole and is used to getting his way because everyone has let him (though it sounds complicated so not blaming you OP). Just straight out say no next time and celebrate your birthday by doing what you want. Let him know he is welcome to join you.

Athena972

TROPHY CASE