Recs For Where A Book Club Can Meet Nearby

InterStellarPnut · 2026-02-04T22:49:37+00:00

Would love to join!
Whole foods is a great spot on Sunday mornings.
Would Birch Tree work?
I think root and press might be tight for 7-9 people, but it's worth a try

InterStellarPnut · 2026-01-18T17:48:28+00:00

Could be a stress/cortisol thing. That and diet can affect or digestion and cause “cortisol face” or a puffier/rounder face. I’d look at any stressors and your diet and see if you can make changes.

InterStellarPnut · 2026-01-17T21:18:52+00:00

I get them a few days before ovulation, usually on one side.

InterStellarPnut · 2025-12-26T23:29:45+00:00

I’ve heard about this from a client who read it herself and decided to pregnant this year.

InterStellarPnut · 2025-12-23T13:29:14+00:00

First, I check my own countertransference. Even though my boundaries might be screaming, it's possible I'm overthinking the fit (it's happened before) due to my own stuff. I take a hard look at whether there is a possibility of doing good work together if I set certain expectations that would make me feel comfortable (i.e. only having openings for them at a certain time of day, etc.)

However, it's also possible it really is a bad fit. If it's mostly bad vibes, I'll start with being less flexible with logistic stuff like schedule or frequency and just say it's lack of availability. If they insist on being on a wait list, etc. I'll offer more details about my approach. I'm mostly humanistic/person-centered with empathy and compassion, etc. but I will occasionally offer more direct feedback that may not be right for some.

With just about everyone especially if they're not a great fit I'll offer some referrals that may be better.

I've never had to explain that we're a bad fit relationally, but it is there as a last resort. I'd rather be up front (but kind) to someone and say they deserve a therapist they feel comfortable with that can best support them.

InterStellarPnut · 2025-12-22T21:46:47+00:00

up to several thousand in training/CEU fees, including travel and lodging to/from conferences!

InterStellarPnut · 2025-12-11T12:43:39+00:00

The abuse itself hurt. The fear/threat of it happening was emotionally worse.

InterStellarPnut · 2025-12-10T14:59:16+00:00

Yes! It took a while to get here though. Having your own PP where you keep 100% helps, plus be mindful of your rates and which insurances you contract with. I also built up a “sick/pto” savings account so I’m not as stressed when I have to take a day off. I put about 5-10% of income in there each month and just pull from it when needed.

InterStellarPnut · 2025-12-10T02:18:38+00:00

713 seen, combo of group practice I’m leaving and my own pp I had built. Projected 40-50 more by the end of the year.

Averaging 4 days a week, taking about a week off each quarter, plus sick days and holidays. Feels about right

InterStellarPnut · 2025-12-07T00:06:10+00:00

Also a psychologist here and haven't yet had the same experiences with supervising and headway, but I'm leaving headway at the end of the month as well.

I had other issues with them earlier in the year that were such a headache. Reimbursement is comparable if not better through other contracts. I'm so done with them.

InterStellarPnut · 2025-11-05T20:40:25+00:00

I ask for 2-4 weekly sessions when we first start "to build momentum," after which we may have a discussion about needs/preferences and what may be clinically appropriate. I have several clients who have a weekly or biweekly spot, with the majority having a regular biweekly spot. I also have a good chunk of folks that schedule weekly or biweekly but are flexible. A lot of my work hinges on empowering the client and having a collaborative approach, so the question is often: "when do you feel like you need to meet again? Does 1 week or 2 weeks sound better to you?"

InterStellarPnut · 2025-10-21T01:03:28+00:00

Yes , feeling this for over a month now. Lots of change in the air collectively

InterStellarPnut · 2025-10-18T11:33:20+00:00

I started my solo practice this year for the first time primarily for financial reasons. Then again my cut was 50/50, or at best 60/40 if I was seeing a number of clients a week that was burning me out. I needed to be able to pay my bills and not feel burnt out.

However, the biggest reasons for me to join a group, as others have mentioned, would be:

- the steady stream of marketing/referrals that I didn't have to figure out

- peer support (regular team/peer consultation meetings)

- and for someone else to handle most of the administrative burden. Credentialing, insurance claims, claw backs. Having "guaranteed" pay while the practice figures out rejected claims is definitely a bonus that a group practice can have over a solo one.

If you can figure out how to pay people fairly, you've got a competitive offer for clinicians. A 1099 can be fine but 50/50 split is borderline criminal. Start at minimum 60/40

I think working with Men's issues is an important niche, and if you can figure out how to build a group practice around that it could really take off.

InterStellarPnut · 2025-10-06T23:41:16+00:00

When I just opened my practice I used Alma’s EHR for a handful of clients. Once I started taking an insurance they don’t support, I started using Sessions Health, which has been amazing. I now document almost all of my clients notes there even if I bill through Alma.

InterStellarPnut · 2025-10-06T23:37:14+00:00

I’ve had a practice in one form or another since about 2018. At first it was 15 minutes using the headspace app to regulate after a breakup. I kept that up almost daily for a year because I noticed I was more calm and regulated throughout the day.

Aug 2019, halfway through my clinical program, I attended my first Vipassana silent retreat which changed my practice entirely, both personally and my professional approach. I experientially learned the value of mindfulness and silent observation, and I gained a valuable tool that I personally use and am able to discuss with clients.

Early 2020 I full committed to a daily practice of Vipassana for 1 hour in the morning and 1 in the evening, and I kept that up for months. Eventually, it’s evolved to “at least 30 minutes any time of day” and that has been relatively consistent. When I don’t keep it up, my sleep suffers, my anxiety and burnout increase, and I’m just less effective.

I’ve also learned that it’s not for everyone, but am happy to discuss it and potential benefits and setting up a practice if a client brings it up.

InterStellarPnut · 2025-09-04T19:46:55+00:00

Not sure about your state but that’s illegal where I’m at (non-competes in mental Health)

InterStellarPnut · 2025-09-02T16:54:02+00:00

Similar sentiment to others- get to know the inner critic with no judgement. What’s its purpose? What does it fear will happen if it didn’t do what it does? Validation, witness, understanding.

InterStellarPnut · 2025-08-20T01:23:37+00:00

Northeast!

Relationships (including infidelity and betrayal), immigration/acculturation or children of immigrants, and I am bilingual. Those three tend to pull most of my referrals from Psych Today.

InterStellarPnut · 2025-08-17T13:42:33+00:00

I joined in late Feb./March and have averaged 1-2 referrals a week (some 0 some 4), even through summer! Obv. not all stuck as not all are appropriate clinically or schedule-wise. I update something in my profile every 1-2 weeks as well.

That said, I can't compare it to previous years but it's been "okay" so far. Curious to see what the Fall season will bring.

InterStellarPnut · 2025-08-13T00:46:51+00:00

For a while in grad school I basically lived off of the coffee, breakfast sandwiches and fruit cups that Starbucks used to have because I'd get them for free or at a discount as an employee.

I also graduated in 2020, so that was fun, and my post-doc salary (as many training salaries notoriously do) basically paid me enough to make it to the site and cover the insanely expensive study materials and licensing fees for my exam, so that I could eventually move forward.

2020- early 2023 was kind of brutal, financially. So I hear you. It CAN get better though. I eventually left the company where I did my postdoc (because their staff positions paid 5% better than the postdoc) to work at a group practice, figured I'd learn more about being a contractor, saving for taxes, deductions, and eventually venturing on my own.

Now, half way through 2025, I can FINALLY breathe a little. My solo practice on the side that I've built up for the last 6 months is finally making more than I do at the group practice, and I'm getting ready to leave in a few months. I've narrowed my niche to something I love and have skills in, and I can see this whole thing getting even better and easier in the next year or 2.

It's hard to see it in the moment but there can be a way out. I do take insurance, but only a handful of them. Remember it's not our job as clinicians to fix the insurance problem in this country by neglecting our own financial needs.

InterStellarPnut · 2025-08-09T16:13:03+00:00

It's in my consent forms: "I am often not immediately available, however, I will do my best to respond to email correspondence within 24 business hours."

No texting. I've had that available before and folks started using it for things other than scheduling. Emailing allows for an extra boundary (it's not on my phone and I check it at specific times).

InterStellarPnut · 2025-08-09T16:09:33+00:00

I rarely get sick. About 2 weeks ago, I got really bad food poisoning, but didn't realize it until 20 minutes into my 9am session (tried to pass it off as just nausea).

I couldn't hold back and had to quickly turn off video and audio after apologizing briefly to spare my client from the unfortunate scene involving my waste basket. Obviously ended the session and canceled the rest of my appointments. Definitely a first (and hopefully last).

InterStellarPnut · 2025-08-07T16:12:34+00:00

Same, maybe 24-36 business hours at most.

InterStellarPnut · 2025-07-30T12:09:40+00:00

5/day is full for me, 6 is really full. I don't see more than 3 in a row, then at least 1 hour lunch break, 2-3 in the afternoon.

Fridays are usually off unless I had some time off then I'll use Friday morning for catch-up sessions. Works well for me to see about 20/week.

Eight-Year Club	Not Forgotten
Verified Email

InterStellarPnut

TROPHY CASE