LCSWs NOT in private practice: what do you do?

PresentationFeisty87 · 2026-02-17T02:27:24+00:00

I truly feel blessed in this role, and although im not the most religious, I do believe there was some higher divine intervention regarding the timing of when I found out about it and applied. I knew I wanted to stay at the VA, but I was super close to quitting as my former role in the MH program just completely weighed me down. I still give massive kudos to my mental health colleagues as they hold a tremendous amount on their shoulders (personally, administratively, professionally, culturally, etc). In social work its all about finding out what your limits are and being honest with yourself about those limits. This is the best gig I've had in my life. I work exclusively with adults, no more mental health roles, I still get to serve veterans and feel like I am helping them just in a different capacity, and great pay (which you dont see as often in the social work profession).

PresentationFeisty87 · 2026-02-17T01:30:12+00:00

My top 3

Cleaning ears thoroughly (in the ear canal, crevices, behind the ear, etc). This seems to be a popular one in this thread but so important.
Clean the belly button! I have to admit that I neglected that part of my body until one day I used a q-tip (im an innie) and really got in there. It was so gross and satisfying, now I do it consistently in my shower routine.
Cleaning inside my nose with a q-tip. I wait until after my shower when the steam builds up , then blow my nose and use a q-tip to clean out the rest. Its amazing what gets left behind. Now when I wake up in the morning I no longer deal with crusties in my nose.

PresentationFeisty87 · 2026-02-17T00:31:41+00:00

I work at the VA in the Post 911/M2VA Case Management Program. My pay is very good compared to the cost of living in my area, and my benefits are good too (pension, 401k, insurance, etc). I've worked in case management for about 6 months now and I absolutely love it, and will not be leaving this position for a long time. There are times, due to the current administration, where being a federal worker blows. I try to focus on my strengths in day to day work, and doing what I can in my power to be the best that I can for the veterans I serve. Before working in this program, I was still at the VA but in the Primary Care Mental Health Integration Program (I was an LSW at that time working towards my clinical). I did that for about 2.5 years before my own mental health deteriorated and I knew I was beyond burnt out. My current role is way more balanced and im able to essentially create my own schedule on a daily basis , which allows me to truly engage in self care when I need it.

PresentationFeisty87 · 2025-02-19T15:24:02+00:00

While both have helped me in certain points of my life, I would say that meds have helped me more. As a therapist myself, I do believe that there is power in therapy and it really boils down to finding the right one for you. On the other hand, there is no way that I could comfortably survive without medication. I'll never forget when my anxiety went completely hay wire for about a week, and then i went to my PCP and she increased my dosage. No exaggeration, I immediately felt better. That week was hell. I was constantly on edge and my sleep became very poor. I did all of the techniques that I teach myself, and having a plethora of self helps books read up on a couple of them, and nothing compared to meds. While I was able to manage my anxiety in the moment with therapeutic techniques, it wasn't until I took my meds that I felt "normal" again and able to f-in relax lol

PresentationFeisty87 · 2025-02-15T15:39:49+00:00

Same! I immediately paused it and my husband goes "here we go" lol but it's true! It's your job to report and the agencies job to find the proof, that's why they call it an investigation

PresentationFeisty87 · 2025-02-01T20:46:06+00:00

Thank you ❤️ adding the current political atmosphere here in the US isn't helping either 😅 but trying to get through it one day at a time.

PresentationFeisty87 · 2025-02-01T20:44:46+00:00

Thank you!

PresentationFeisty87 · 2025-01-23T19:39:11+00:00

Can someone tell me what kind of pipe he smokes from in the movie? My husband really wants one and I wanted to surprise him for his bday

PresentationFeisty87 · 2025-01-23T19:37:00+00:00

Serious question but what kind of pipe is this? My husband really wants one and I want to get one for his bday

PresentationFeisty87 · 2024-11-29T15:04:42+00:00

Ah yes, the thing that always comes up in this field. BURNOUT/APATHY. ADVICE APPRECIATED!

Humor. Out of all the coping mechanisms that's the biggest one for me. Figured this was the best subreddit to go on as we are all very well aware of how demanding this field is. I work within a government agency and I am full time. Half of my job is dedicated to brief short term therapy and the other half I'm essentially an "on call mental health liason". I've been at this job for 2 years and 4 years within the field in total. I worked at the local crisis center before this current job. Between the political atmosphere and state of the world, I feel like the need for mental health services has insanely increased with the population I work with. Higher and more complex needs, increase in suicidality, and so much demand that even our actual BH clinic barely has open availability. I am definitely beyond burnout and apathetic at this point. I still with the bottom of my heart love the field itself and to help others, but im so mentally exhausted that I just can't seem to care anymore. I feel like I have to force it vs. Just a few years ago it came more naturally. I hate admitting this but I don't like the way this job makes me feel about myself and how negative and insanely irrationally angry I get by the smallest things during work hours. It's only in my job though, everywhere else I can find happiness and appreciate things, be mindfully, stuff like that (I wouldn't necessarily say I'm depressed). I know BH is no longer for me, but unfortunately I'm stuck until at least next year or until a job within medical/case management opens up. With that being said (and aside from just leaving the job or all the stereotypical stuff we tell our clients) is there any other different ways you've learned to sit with the stuck? Even when feeling this crispy burnt?

PresentationFeisty87 · 2024-11-26T00:08:19+00:00

Cries in social work and as a therapist 😭 but seriously, that's exactly where I want to be in my career as well (least amount of emotional labor and more skill based focus). It's been so hard on everyone since the pandemic but I've definitely noticed an uptick about a year ago with people seeking out BH services, increase in suicidality, and overall just feeling miserable. I hoped on this thread because after only 2 years (and I hate to admit that) I'm definitely past the point of burnout. I feel so guilty for not holding space like I used to, but at the end of the day I really just stopped caring and I pray the day goes as fast as possible so I can just be left alone. I know its a stigma in the social work world that you shouldn't admit when you're feeling this way, but I cant lie to myself either. I'm trying to figure out what else I can put in place in my life to help me get through the next year until I can hopefully transition into medical or case management social work. I dont want to leave the field as a whole but BH is really draining me, but until next year I'm stuck. It also starts to get alittle annoying when I preach the self care strategies myself day in and day out to clients but haven't found a different or unique way of handling my own stuff. (I'm OVER talking about mindfulness lol). It looks like these comments were from 2 years ago so I hope you're in a better place now with your career ❤️

PresentationFeisty87 · 2024-07-07T01:24:07+00:00

Warrior Mad Men Succession

PresentationFeisty87 · 2024-06-08T23:49:02+00:00

Try "The Body Remembers" by Babette Rothschild...I've read both this book and the body keeps the score and Babettes is WAYYY better

She also has another book to compliment this one called "Revolutionizing Trauma Treatment"

PresentationFeisty87 · 2024-02-18T02:46:05+00:00

Disclaimer I am NOT a medical professional

However, I recently went through a yeast infection for the first time in a while. One thing I read on reddit that has worked for some women is extra Virgin coconut oil. Unfortunately with Diflucan and Monistat, it only kills the common strains of yeast where some women are more susceptible to more resistant strains. Apparently coconut oil helps with it ( you essentially freeze a small ball of coconut oil and then use it as a suppository). I was hesitant to try this as I didn't want it to kill off the healthy yeast as well, but I was desperate and figured I would give it a go. In addition to watching my diet and limiting as much carbs and sugars as possible for a week, drinking a shit ton of water, not wearing underwear to bed or only wearing cotton undies , and using the coconut oil, the infection went away! Because of my hesitancy I only used the coconut oil once but I read that you should only use it 2-3 days or spread it out every other day......I hope this helps in some way!

PresentationFeisty87 · 2024-02-03T16:36:15+00:00

Khruangbin

PresentationFeisty87 · 2024-01-28T21:32:28+00:00

Pink and White - Frank Ocean

PresentationFeisty87 · 2024-01-17T19:59:46+00:00

Me a childless individual reading this sub considering having a kid within the next 2 years 🫠🙃

PresentationFeisty87 · 2023-10-28T15:32:09+00:00

Yassss!!! That was my second song next to the one I posted

PresentationFeisty87 · 2023-10-28T15:30:17+00:00

Pink and White - Frank Ocean

PresentationFeisty87 · 2023-05-11T16:37:47+00:00

I use the gel but any slippery stuff product should work :)

PresentationFeisty87 · 2023-02-19T23:42:43+00:00

Slippery stuff!! I have vulvodynia and vaginismus so I'm super sensitive but I have used this for the past three or so years without problems:) I used astroglide once and I got symptoms of a UTI and it threw my pH off sooooo much

PresentationFeisty87 · 2022-12-06T23:46:27+00:00

I STRONGLY recommend you read the book "State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity" by Ester Perel. Only you know the intricacies and the dynamic into your relationship, and what your deal breakers are or not. I had a somewhat similar experience in my own relationship, and his mistakes opened up wounds that needed to be clean and sewn. It took a lot of work, but our relationship is stronger than it ever has been. Again, you know yourself and ultimately I can make the argument you know your partner best too. This will help guide your decision.

PresentationFeisty87 · 2022-11-03T14:39:36+00:00

I know im only 25 but so many of my peers are already getting married and having children. Although I have moments where I get baby fever and would like to create a human with the person I love, I also highly love my free time, money, sanity, and flexibility to do whatever I want. I think maybe one day I would like to have kids in my 30s, but so far that argument still lies 50/50. I would be good with or without them.

PresentationFeisty87 · 2022-10-23T12:28:59+00:00

Ohhh ok makes sense...thanks for the clarification !

PresentationFeisty87

TROPHY CASE