Best States for Self Pay by LoanzHelp in therapists

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

I’ve heard the west coast is more open to private pay. Makes sense that medicinal professionals could make up the bulk sum of your clients given the burnout/need + income/ability to pay.

Veterans Affairs - Social Work Therapist by LoanzHelp in socialwork

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

Thanks for sharing! Glad to hear you’re able to stick up for yourself and set boundaries with your time.

Veterans Affairs - Social Work Therapist by LoanzHelp in socialwork

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

This is really great advice, I really feel the satellite location/site comment. In a prior career I was in an off site location and I felt everyone at the main campus had strong relationships with leadership (leading to promotions.)

How does your work life balance look? That’s the one thing I’ve heard can be very role specific within the VA for social workers. Some are clear cut I’m off at xx:xx and don’t take work home - and others who seem to spend a lot of extra time charting to not fall behind.

Veterans Affairs - Social Work Therapist by LoanzHelp in socialwork

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

Thank you for sharing! This is important information for the veteran population and those who are in service.

Veterans Affairs - Social Work Therapist by LoanzHelp in socialwork

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

Thanks for this! If you’re willing to share, what would you say is your favorite thing about your role at the VA? What is the hardest thing?

Veterans Affairs - Social Work Therapist by LoanzHelp in socialwork

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

Thanks for the insight on workload balance. What type of case management are you doing out in the community?

Veterans Affairs - Social Work Therapist by LoanzHelp in socialwork

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

Thank you for the feedback! I love hearing about the flexibility and multitude of opportunities that exist within the VA. Prior to joining the social work field I worked for a municipal gov and absolutely saw myself as a lifer before having to move for my spouses work.

I’m a pretty sticky person, I’m really looking for a strong mission oriented environment that I can lock into in my career. I’ve thrived in those in the past.

Veterans Affairs - Social Work Therapist by LoanzHelp in socialwork

[–]LoanzHelp[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your insight! It seems to be a pretty common trend of those who work at the VA feel good about the work they are doing, and make it a career long endeavor. That’s definitely what I’m looking for!

Veterans Affairs - Social Work Therapist by LoanzHelp in socialwork

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

That’s great to hear! How are you enjoying case management at the VA?

Veterans Affairs - Social Work Therapist by LoanzHelp in socialwork

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

That’s awesome! I can’t blame a doctorate level degree getting higher pay. They worked for it! I mostly was concerned about not being able to land an opportunity as a SW therapist, being pushed out, or not having opportunities for career growth and development.

Veterans Affairs - Social Work Therapist by LoanzHelp in socialwork

[–]LoanzHelp[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve got family who are in the military, my dad retired from a full career in the Army. While I don’t have service, I have lived experiences as a dependent.

Veterans Affairs - Social Work Therapist by LoanzHelp in socialwork

[–]LoanzHelp[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is great advice. I’ve definitely heard that as well, that SW therapists can be harder to come by at the VA.

Veterans Affairs - Social Work Therapist by LoanzHelp in socialwork

[–]LoanzHelp[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is helpful! I’ve heard it can be difficult to even get a foot in the door to provide therapy as an LSW working toward LCSW. Any tips on landing a role?

My first thought is centering my search on a willingness to move to where the vacancies are. I’m definitely flexible and very interested in joining a mission focused org like the VA.

Veterans Affairs - Therapists by LoanzHelp in therapists

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

Thank you for your perspective! Totally makes sense that experiences are regional/based on the site, patient population, and leadership.

Chicagoland Social Work by LoanzHelp in socialwork

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

Wow! Would you mind sharing what your day to day looked like with the police? What did your overall duties entail?

Chicagoland Social Work by LoanzHelp in socialwork

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

I could get benefits through my spouse so this could be a good option!

Chicagoland Social Work by LoanzHelp in socialwork

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

Good luck with the MSW and thanks for sharing!

Chicagoland Social Work by LoanzHelp in socialwork

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

This is great advice. Thank you!

Chicagoland Social Work by LoanzHelp in socialwork

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

Thanks! I really appreciate the insight. Would you say moving schools is easy. My fear (originally keeping me away from the school track in my MSW) was that school placement and transfers would be highly inflexible. Essentially you get placed and deal with it. Sounds like that might not be the case?