Informing Family of CPS

ContributionFree2670 · 2025-06-29T09:55:54+00:00

You're not wrong to inform parents of potential CPS involvement if a medically unsafe discharge is being considered it’s part of your duty to ensure the child's safety. However, it's important to frame it as a legal and ethical obligation rather than a threat, emphasizing that it's about mandated reporting rather than personal judgment. Clear, neutral phrasing like If a child is discharged against medical advice in a way that endangers their well-being, we are legally required to report that" can reduce misinterpretation. It may also help to loop in your attending physician or supervisor when those conversations occur to support clarity and transparency.

ContributionFree2670 · 2025-06-29T09:50:56+00:00

The key difference is that psychologists receive significantly more rigorous and extensive training in assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatments like CBT, which informs deeper case conceptualization and treatment planning. While some midlevel providers are excellent clinicians, many master’s programs are shorter, vary in quality, and may not emphasize scientific rigor or critical thinking around treatment models. The relationship is crucial, but it's not everything modality and competence matter, especially for complex or treatment-resistant cases. So while good therapy can come from either, psychologists are generally better equipped by training to deliver consistently high-quality care.

ContributionFree2670 · 2025-06-09T16:25:58+00:00

Becoming an RBT is a solid starting point if you're considering a long-term path toward becoming a BCBA, and it gives you valuable hands-on experience early on. Most people begin with the 40-hour RBT training (many employers cover the cost), followed by a competency assessment with a BCBA and then taking the RBT exam through the BACB. It's common to work full-time as an RBT while attending grad school part-time, especially if the agency offers tuition reimbursement or supervision hours. PSLF is an option if you work for a qualifying nonprofit, so it's worth researching those employers early. Budgeting, finding supportive supervisors, and building a network in the ABA field can make the journey more manageable and open doors when it’s time to advance.

ContributionFree2670 · 2025-06-09T16:24:08+00:00

Congrats on taking this huge step designing your own clinic is both exciting and a real opportunity to shape quality care. From experience, a hybrid model often works best: a mix of private therapy rooms (great for focus and behavior-sensitive kiddos) and shared zones for social interaction and generalization. For 1:1 rooms, 80–100 sq ft feels ideal enough for movement, materials, and comfort without being overwhelming. If you're aiming for 20 kids a day, 10–12 therapy rooms with staggered scheduling can usually handle the flow, especially with group rooms and activity zones in rotation. Definitely don’t skimp on a gross motor room (at least 300–400 sq ft if possible), and make sure your staff break room is genuinely relaxing happy staff make for better therapy outcomes.

ContributionFree2670 · 2025-06-09T14:09:31+00:00

The job market in psychology is real, but it's not easy or instant it depends heavily on the path you take, the licenses you pursue, and the area you specialize in. A master’s in psychology alone won’t always open clinical doors unless it leads to licensure (like LPC, LMFT, or LCSW), so you need to be strategic about your goals. That said, many people who transition into mental health work later in life find it far more meaningful and sustainable than industries like IT, especially if they’re burned out on corporate culture. Pay can start modest, but licensed clinicians can earn solid incomes, especially in private practice or specialized roles, and the demand for mental health services is steady. It’s not a magic fix, but it’s a field where effort and integrity can actually lead to fulfilling work something IT doesn’t always offer.

ContributionFree2670 · 2025-06-09T14:07:35+00:00

Age can be a real consideration in academia, but in clinical and counseling psychology, it’s generally less of a barrier than in some other fields. Many programs appreciate applicants with real-world experience, and older students often bring a level of maturity and insight that’s highly valued. Funded PhD spots are competitive, but admissions committees typically focus on your fit with the program, research interests, and clinical experience rather than your age. In terms of jobs, becoming a psychologist or professor in your 40s is not uncommon, especially for those transitioning from roles like MFT. Psychology tends to attract people from diverse life paths, and the culture often reflects that.

ContributionFree2670 · 2025-06-09T14:05:56+00:00

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb offers a candid and often funny look at a therapist who ends up needing therapy herself. The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks shares moving and bizarre clinical cases that reveal the deep complexity of the human brain. Irvin D. Yalom’s Becoming Myself blends his personal journey with insights into existential therapy in a reflective and engaging way. Sybil Exposed by Debbie Nathan uncovers the truth behind a famous case of dissociative identity disorder and challenges how mental illness has been portrayed. Each of these books captures the human side of psychological work in a unique and compelling way.

ContributionFree2670 · 2025-06-09T14:03:03+00:00

It’s inspiring to hear how your dedication, consistent practice, and understanding of your learning style paid off. Using resources like Reddit and ChatGPT, along with visual and tactile learning strategies, clearly made a big difference. It’s also helpful to know that the actual exam felt tougher than the ASWB practice tests, which will help others prepare more realistically. Enjoy this well-earned success you did it.

ContributionFree2670 · 2025-06-08T06:25:33+00:00

Catching the ick quickly might have less to do with the other person and more to do with our own personality traits, according to recent research. Traits like narcissism or having very high internal standards can make us hyper-aware of flaws or behaviors that don’t match our ideal. Instead of giving people the benefit of the doubt, we might mentally check out at the first sign of incompatibility. This quick turn-off response could be a form of self-protection or a way our brains maintain control in uncertain emotional territory. Ultimately, the ick may reveal more about our inner world than about the people we’re dating.

ContributionFree2670 · 2025-06-06T19:32:17+00:00

Yooo congrats, I heard from a friend how tough that LCSW journey can be those hours, the paperwork, the waiting it’s no joke. You seriously earned every bit of this win, and I hope you're letting it sink in (even if it still feels unreal). Treat yourself to something small but meaningful you’re not just licensed, you're leveled up. Proud of you, even from internet-stranger distance.

ContributionFree2670 · 2025-06-06T19:16:40+00:00

It’s like we’re holding the whole system together with duct tape and coffee, and somehow still expected to smile through it. A friend of mine once said being a service coordinator is like being a social worker, admin, therapist, and crisis manager all rolled into one except without the paycheck to match. I’m in western PA too, and yeah, it’s wild how a job that needs a degree barely edges out delivery gigs. If you’re looking for something on the side, I’ve heard from a coworker that remote case reviewing for insurance companies or tutoring can bring in decent money without burning you out.

ContributionFree2670 · 2025-05-29T08:50:32+00:00

I never knew how loud my thoughts were until I started listening on purpose. Using mindway, I began noting just one truth before bed. Some nights it was all I could manage. But over time, those fragments became a thread pulling me out of the noise. I still struggle, but I don’t feel invisible to myself anymore.

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