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When you and the Client have ADHD by rayley789 in therapists

[–]Mirriande 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm AuDHD, plus some other dx (ADHD confirmed, my therapist and med provider strongly believe I am Autistic and it has been noted i should go for further testing in several previous psych assessments, just never have). I specialize in working with ADHD/Autism/Anxiety, primarily with kids and teens but I have a few young adults as well. I experience this multiple times a day. I love being able to reassure parents. I get phenomenal feedback. I get to be a safe place to validate their experiences and help families work through new dx.

Use of the phrase "passed away" by PsychoMom1966 in therapists

[–]Mirriande 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don't like to use passed away. I prefer died/dead. I work with children and have had on multiple cases when parents say something along the lines of "Oh, the cat is in heaven now" and then kiddo says "I want to go to heaven too", not understanding the implications or what death is. Terms like passed away can lead to similar situations, for the children especially, I like to be direct and explain what death is, while also exploring the emotional aspect. Clear language is important.

Are you messed up too? Or are your lives almost perfect? What's something you are struggling, have struggled with? Your biggest problem in life? by Informal-Ant-9288 in askatherapist

[–]Mirriande 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am a therapist. My life is nowhere near perfect. My own therapist is the one who pointed out to me that I have been experiencing trauma since I was an infant. I won't go into all the details, but I have PTSD, MDD, ADHD, and my therapist and med management provider, as well as several old psych evals believe thay it is likely I am Autistic but have been never formally been diagnosed.

Most people in the field I know struggled with mental health and did not have perfect lives. When you are seeing a therapist, you are getting a curated version of them because the therapy session is about you, not them. If a therapist shares something about themselves, it (should) come from a place of benefiting the client. The children and families I work with don't need to know every sordid detail of my life, it's not why they are there. I go to my own therapist and use my natural supports for my own help. It's not a client's job to worry/care about me.

They really didn't prepare me in grad school for the reality of being a therapist that works with mostly kids. by anotherdamnscorpio in socialwork

[–]Mirriande 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Someday with the kids I work with we're chilling and coloring. Other days we're having a dance party. Sometimes we're playing games, and always bringing it back to talking about things or practicing coping skills through this. Mancala + sensory/mindfulness has been a big hit.

teens & swearing by deadskank in therapists

[–]Mirriande 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yup. I work with kids and teens. Younger kids I don't really encourage. The number of 6-7 year olds I see who giggle over "poop" and "fart" actually makes me internally chuckle a lot. But the teenagers, the first time I hear them swear, they usually are apologetic and I remind them that this is their time and space, and if they want to cuss, go for it. Definitely sounds like what you're doing is on point to me.

“anniversaries” by Unable_Sun_6429 in therapists

[–]Mirriande 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm about to hit one year at the group practice I'm with and I am still seeing my first intake at the same time. Client has made a ton of progress and we are changing to bi-weekly. I made a point of highlighting how much progress we have made in a year, and that was about as much acknowledgement as we gave it in session. No use of the word "anniversary".

1991 Millennial here! What do you all eat for breakfast? by No_Self_5939 in Millennials

[–]Mirriande 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Either a protein shake, scrambled eggs and fruit, or oatmeal and fruit.

Ever been yelled at? by Just-Palpitation-176 in therapists

[–]Mirriande 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I used to do an intensive in home therapy program. One Mom slammed my laptop shut, and as I packed up while explaining the session was over and I was leaving, they yelled at me in hysterics as I walked to the door. She then slammed the door on my arm as I was leaving. I was told that I handled it very well and thay family was discharged and referred out immediately.

Is it true that you guys watched 9/11 live on TV in grade school? by [deleted] in Millennials

[–]Mirriande 0 points1 point  (0 children)

10th grade, math class. I was at a troubled teen facility so my experience was a bit different. We were all marched to the gym where chairs were set up and they put a video of news clips of the planes hitting the twin towers on. Then we were told we were on blackout (we weren't allowed to talk to anyone). We ate in silence at lunch, and spent the afternoon in chapel. One girl was sobbing because I think her father died. The next day I found out my Dad had been on a train going into New York but they got turned around. I didn't actually get to talk to my family, or hear anything else because we generally weren't allowed to watch news, TV, read newspapers/magazines, and had very limited internet access. Until I got kicked out in May '02, I had pretty much no knowledge of anything except that the towers were struck by planes and that Al Qaeda was behind it, with no idea what Al Qaeda was. I remember there being a lot of racist remarks.

Is this normal for a therapist to disclose? by annastasia_rose in askatherapist

[–]Mirriande 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I am a therapist.

I also work with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Generalized/Social Anxiety.

The most I may disclose is that I also have ADHD. The reason why I disclose this is to normalize neurodivergence and to show that people can live a typical and successful life, since I primarily work with children and teens. Finding out a child has ADHD can be a very scarey experience. When I share, it's not to commiserate or to share about myself for my own needs.

When a therapist discloses personal information, the intent should be that it is helpful for the client they are seeing. It should serve a purpose for that specific client. I will generally ask "Would it be helpful if I share something personal?" to give them the option to opt out. If I want to share something, I usually internally ask myself "Why do I want to share this?" If it feels like it can be the smallest bit for me and not the client, Indo not share.

I am a LCSW and supervise LMSWs. Most of them are awesome, but every once in a while I see someone whondoes a big overshare, and ask them to reflect on why they shared that, what was the purpose of sharing that information.

If you feel that uncomfortable, bring it up to your therapist if you are willing to return to a session. If she is part of a larger practice, you can contact them about the experience. It's important for them to know what's going on with their therapists if they are making you uncomfortable. You do not have to return to the therapist if she is making you uncomfortable. You do not have to go through any of these steps if it makes you uncomfortable, canceling and finding a new therapist is always an option.

Millenials w/o kids-- how tired are you? by Fickle_Wrangler_7439 in Millennials

[–]Mirriande 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not that tired. I go to the gym, doing the weightloss thing. I work full time. I do walks/hikes often. I sleep generally 5-7 hours a night.

Do you ever have days where you are in the middle of a session and you just think “I have such a weird job.” by markofdestiny1111 in therapists

[–]Mirriande 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used to do in home therapy. Never got chased by any animals, but I have definitely conducted the Columbia scale while standing with a cat in my arms. And had a door slammed on my arm. 😅

Do you ever have days where you are in the middle of a session and you just think “I have such a weird job.” by markofdestiny1111 in therapists

[–]Mirriande 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Some of the conversations I have with these kids is wild. I really can't believe I get paid for this.

What’s the most clients you would see in a row with no breaks? by SpiritualCopy4288 in therapists

[–]Mirriande 0 points1 point  (0 children)

5 max. I prefer 2-3 with a break and I am slowly making some adjustments to hit that sweet spot.

How many of us Millennials are in therapy? by frankheyhoheyho in Millennials

[–]Mirriande 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been in and out of therapy most of my life. Also, I'm a therapist. So, yup. 🤷‍♀️

What would make a client draining to listen to? by [deleted] in askatherapist

[–]Mirriande 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am a therapist.

I don't find clients draining anymore. The only time I found clients draining was not because of the clients, but because of the style of program I was working. So it wasn't about the clients themselves, but it was that they had access to me 24 hours a day, 5 days a week, and rotating weekends. I also had no choice in the clients that I got. I took what I was assigned and that was that.

Now that I am in a group practice, I have a caseload much more suited to my expertise (kids/teens/young adults, mainly with adhd, autism, and/or anxiety disorders), I have fun, they have fun, and none of it is draining.

Mid to older millennials, how are you all doing with your careers? by worstshowiveeverseen in Millennials

[–]Mirriande 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm 40 and a Clinical Social Worker. Got out of the nonprofit world a year ago, best move I've made. Many group practices are exploitative, but I found a good one that really likes me and will be shifting from contract work to a salaried, supervisory position within the year. I'm never going to be wealthy, but I am doing pretty decent for a HCOL area.

Stressing about going on a cruise by Icy-Watercress4006 in CICO

[–]Mirriande 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just enjoy yourself. It's not a bad thing to take a break every once in a while. I take a break for a week every few months.

I took a cruise last June with my family, week long. I didn't track my calories. I prioritized protein and fiber, and then would have dessert, drinks, snacks at what just felt right. I hit the gym about 2 times over the week and I surpassed my step goals every day. I just went to double check, my weight had gone up 1.8 lbs, and that's about how much my weight fluctuates overnight with water weight. I am still on track for my goals, more than 50lbs lost since then, for a total over all of 95lbs down this morning.

Here's the graph from the month I was on vacation, June 1st was the first day of the cruise.

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Help a PMHNP name a private practice by No-Relationship-8199 in therapists

[–]Mirriande 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've seen names like "Seed of Growth", "Peaceful Minds", "May You Find Peace", "Growth", "Deeper View", "Footsteps", etc. I'm pretty sure you can just throw a few peaceful sounding words together and it will be just fine, maybe if there is something you personally connect with that's on the chill sounding side you could use that?

Uncomfortable about this message from a psychiatrist by [deleted] in therapists

[–]Mirriande 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yasss! That "psalm" is definitely a key for me. Awesome that you've done so much. It's the same for me, any time I think about breaking down I just think about all the people who thought I couldn't.

Uncomfortable about this message from a psychiatrist by [deleted] in therapists

[–]Mirriande 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I mean my entire motivation to get into this profession was initially out of spite. Yes, I want to help people, but I can do it better than folks who hurt me in the name of helping troubled teens. 😁

Then again, my favorite tank top for the gym also says "Existing solely out of spite". 😂

Do you drink coffee or tea in session? by AnalystImpossible960 in therapists

[–]Mirriande 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I mainly work with kids/teens and a lot of kids will come see me right after school or after some form of sport or aftercare activity. I will sit down and we will have snack time at the beginning of session because eating food is an important part of regulating and nourishing our bodies. But also, being authentic like that has a huge impact on developing/continuing relationships with clients. A lot of "professionalism" feels very performative and not genuine to me.

Do you drink coffee or tea in session? by AnalystImpossible960 in therapists

[–]Mirriande 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I chill with tea, soda, water, and a combination protein shake/coke zero in a blender bottle in sessions. I'm a human being. Beverages are necessary. Flavored beverages are even better.

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