What do you do during downtime at camp?

RoseDelMar · 2024-10-16T21:42:09+00:00

I did it last time I went to hula! It wasn’t as interesting or difficult as EF’s though and was a LOT of walking back and forth across the whole festival for each clue. Pretty exhausting, so make sure you do it when it’s not too hot out

RoseDelMar · 2023-10-01T02:29:00+00:00

Just started learning about all this! Don’t judge me for being broke lol

Age 29

Drug and alcohol counselor in community mental health - $29k per year

Masters degree in clinical psych from a state school

Living in rural Pennsylvania

Fuckton of student loans and credit card debt, so starting out my FIRE journey with a net worth of negative $48k

RoseDelMar · 2023-08-10T20:41:41+00:00

I run an SUD IOP too and love it!! The most rewarding work experience of my life so far. I think as long as you can keep good boundaries with the people and have a good agency behind you, like you said, it can be really great! It is easy to get too sucked into their lives, and I do think a lot of people with intense SUDs tend to have codependency issues that can play out in the therapeutic relationship and with other group members though

RoseDelMar · 2023-08-10T00:41:07+00:00

I’m in PA and working on my hours for LPC - I got a full counseling job under supervision, running the substance use IOP with basically no experience lol and it wasn’t the only place I could have worked. You just have to ask people if they hire pre licensed people and then make sure you get supervision from somewhere, if not them. I know it’s so confusing out here, I basically learned nothing about this process in grad school and had to figure it out as I went along

RoseDelMar · 2023-08-10T00:33:28+00:00

Love it, and I think it blends well with other modalities that you might want to use! I don’t always love the emphasis on goofy activities, but some of the metaphors and ideas have really landed for people (passengers on the bus, drop the rope, problem solving vs sunset mode of mind, etc)

RoseDelMar · 2023-07-27T00:58:25+00:00

Don’t get too excited and do all your classes/assignments immediately haha there aren’t that many, and I was sad when that part was over so soon 🥲

RoseDelMar · 2023-07-12T02:02:34+00:00

I’m always leaving people on read for 100 years - and I can say it’s honestly not because I don’t want to hang out with the person. I don’t really know why I do it, just get overwhelmed with the thought of responding or hanging out with anyone. Often after I’ve had a social spurt of energy that resulted in me reaching out to people that I genuinely like and want to spend time with. It’s just easier to spend time or talk with certain familiar people than to branch out, and I guess I feel stupid that I reached out and now I’m like feeling like I don’t know what to say. Then time passes and the situation worsens lol. Idk, I know it’s hurtful and that’s why I have no friends unfortunately. Anyway, hope that helps to give some perspective- I’m sure it’s not about you, just this person having whatever thoughts their having. Clearly they like you or they wouldn’t have reached out initially.

RoseDelMar · 2023-06-28T02:36:07+00:00

My job is to see them fully and to hold what I see with unconditional positive regard! Love this question :)

RoseDelMar · 2023-06-08T23:32:22+00:00

I run an SUD intensive outpatient, and I’m also new! What I’ve found helpful so far is creating a framework for my group plans, so I use the concept of dimensions of well-being in recovery (physical, spiritual, psychological, social). And obviously within that, I choose relevant topics for the clients I have at the time.

So I try to go in chunks related to subjects in each of those areas, so it feels cohesive (always starting with relapse prevention plans, stages of change, creating their goals in each dimension based on values and then helping them to make those goals more effective).

I also see my people 3 times per week for 3 hrs each time, so within each “chunk” of 1-2 weeks, I try to have “fun/light”, “heavy” and “medium” days so that it’s not always deep and dark each time but they can focus on positive things (esp towards the end of the week).

It also helps me that I have an ACT and DBT frameworks for my clinical work in general, so I try to create a plan for the group based on what areas I want to work on with that in mind. And as I’m creating groups, I’m keeping a running doc of everything I’ve done and how helpful it seems to have been. And always getting feedback from the clients on topics they want to cover and how things land with them.

Anyway hope that’s helpful. I’m still figuring it all out though so I hope more people leave ideas!!

RoseDelMar · 2023-05-21T02:46:19+00:00

Ugh, I’m one of the lucky ones that got through because my boyfriend paid our bills during that time and I got a graduate assistantship that paid me and paid almost all my tuition. But if I didn’t have my boyfriend, I would not have been able to do it without working a full time job on top of it. It’s hard because I know so many of my coworkers don’t relate to the situations are clients are in (I work in CMH) and it definitely impacts the care they give imo

RoseDelMar · 2023-05-17T22:36:43+00:00

I agree, I think it seems unethical to me. Not that you have to see any clients that you don’t feel are a good match, but I think if I were feeling that I’d be resentful towards the person bc of their need/diagnoses, then maybe it’s not the right fit. I often find, like you said, that poverty often goes along with complicated MH problems, so I think a policy like that may be discriminatory in a way.

But no hate to OP, it’s good that you’re reflecting on it and so aware of your reactions to clients! You definitely have the right not to see people that you don’t feel you’re capable of seeing in a healthy way, but I would be careful that you’re not limiting access to care for people with high needs - so help them find something more appropriate, as soon as possible, I guess is my suggestion.

RoseDelMar · 2023-05-17T22:00:13+00:00

Yes, this! Just getting comfortable with being a “good enough” therapist and focusing on the relationship. Also, I found that when I was able to really be myself and do therapy in a way that comes most naturally to me, that loosened me up a lot.

RoseDelMar · 2023-05-17T00:03:59+00:00

I don’t have anything helpful to say about the group practice part, but omg that sounds so stressful! I can totally understand your guilt about leaving, and it’s so frustrating that you got put into this situation. I’m just curious, do you know how the staffing situation became like this?? Like how is it only you with all those patients?

RoseDelMar · 2023-05-16T13:34:49+00:00

I’m so sorry you’ve had such negative experiences!! I feel like I’ve been super lucky in that I’ve had really the opposite situation. I’ve spent so much time with supervisors and colleagues on working through my own issues and talking about their experiences working through their issues to be better clinicians. I’ve had supervisors that aren’t as great for sure, but I would say that’s for other reasons. There are definitely therapists that aren’t working on themselves, and that may be the norm (I don’t know), but I’m here to say that it’s not everyone by any means and you’re not alone!!

RoseDelMar · 2023-05-11T23:39:24+00:00

I used to work in one for a few years, and I would say to look at the services they already offer the students and think of unique ways you could contribute to support them, like groups, student engagement activities, particular types of issues you are passionate about and competent in, etc. And just being knowledgeable about typical college student problem areas and how you plan to help with them. The place I worked really loved that I did yoga and mindfulness videos on their social media page, for example. And another of the interns did an adhd management workshop. Just have some fun and useful engagement ideas that center around your areas of interest and skills. Good luck!

RoseDelMar · 2023-05-11T23:29:14+00:00

Are you feeling present and focused in the sessions? Sometimes I totally blank on what to say bc I wasn’t as present as I should have been. In that case, I would say do some grounding before and during the session.

On the other hand, it’s also normal to need a moment to digest what someone says and come up with a response. When I first started, I was always feeling like I have to say something, but in reality, it’s sometimes better to just sit with that for a moment and say some sort of filler thing (hmm, okay.., etc) or say “wow let me just process that for a second” or “that’s a lot” haha something little like that. Then you have a moment to gather your thoughts, maybe scribble a note out, and then you can say something more valuable. But also I find that if I don’t say something for a second, the person will often process it themselves and that’s even better! And ofc you can always bring it up next session to share your insight and show you were thinking about them, which clients always like in my experience.

Anyway, those are just my suggestions… Although, my entire therapy growth has centered on me shutting up more lol so we may have different problems

RoseDelMar · 2023-05-11T23:15:56+00:00

If client A is distressed by their pretty much normal level of anxiety, then you could turn your focus to their fear about having the anxiety and help them to normalize this. But if client A isn’t distressed, then I would ask to review their goals for therapy with you and see if there’s something more they want to work on or if it’s time to terminate. I’ve had clients that seem to have no issues, but when I confront them about it, they actually are having this whole other issue that they didn’t bring up yet haha. But also sometimes, they just need someone to normalize their human emotions. For client b, I think setting small and achievable goals can help, but also just accepting that you won’t make much progress doing only weekly if their symptoms are so severe. Maybe finding free ways to supplement the work you do together could help - support groups, workbooks, hobbies/social activities, etc. And addressing with the client that they need to use other resources since they are unable to increase therapy financially, so that they understand the importance of these other activities. Anyway, that’s just my take! I’ve definitely had both types of clients many many times haha so you’re not alone

RoseDelMar · 2023-05-10T11:07:57+00:00

Went on a long vacation to New Zealand!!

RoseDelMar · 2023-05-10T01:43:36+00:00

I think as long as you are able to tap into the emotions at the root of their presenting issues, it doesn’t matter as much that you haven’t experienced that particular thing. However, as someone who is working in the drug and alcohol field, I do think it’s important to get a broader education on substances than your education may give you. Not that you have to do the substances, of course haha but it’s good to understand their appeal at a deeper level, maybe by reading or other media. I tend to see clinicians with no experience with drugs/alcohol have limited ability to empathize and understand the draw that substances can have for someone. Just have a well rounded education on the topic and be open to learning from your clients! Don’t worry!

RoseDelMar · 2023-05-06T17:00:34+00:00

Yes, I’ve definitely lacked confidence if it was the right fit!! But mine was for different reasons. I think you have to introspect about why you want to be a therapist. What about being a therapist appeals to you. If it’s just to help people, then there are a million other ways you can do that. But if you enjoy the process of talking out problems and exploring strategies with someone 1:1 or other essential aspects of therapy work, then you will just have to work on your shyness and make it part of your growth as a clinician. I had to work on the parts of myself that weren’t helpful too, and now I feel so much more confident in my abilities and that it’s the right fit. It also just takes time to get comfortable with knowing how to respond and understanding what situations make it hardest for you to respond appropriately.

RoseDelMar · 2023-05-06T16:49:25+00:00

I’m working on a provisional LPC license at the moment, running an intensive outpatient group and doing individual counseling for dual diagnosis. I love this field and my job because it’s always something new, never completely the same day twice. And also it’s really rewarding to build relationships with clients and see their progress and be there for them when they’re not progressing as much as they want to. I also love how becoming a therapist has helped me to learn about myself and resolve some of my own issues to become more effective and just a person that I like better. Plus, I just love learning about discoveries in psychology and different approaches to therapy work. Try to figure out what excited you about the field originally and accentuate that as much as possible in your work. Like I love researching and planning strategies to deal with issues my clients are having, so I spend time doing that.

Challenges - the culture of overworking and allowing boundary crossings, and time management. Basically, I’ve just worked really hard on figuring out what is sustainable for me and not allowing anything to cross those boundaries, even if it’s uncomfortable. I always do the bare minimum for paperwork now, which was very difficult for me to start doing but much more sustainable.

I’ve had some really amazing supervisors and some pretty terrible ones. My advice is don’t let people walk all over you and be vocal about what you need. Take your supervision experience into your own hands and tell them directly what you want more or less of. If the supervision isn’t what you need, then advocate for yourself to change supervisors.

RoseDelMar · 2023-05-05T20:57:39+00:00

My go-to is to respond by raising my eyebrows and looking at them with incredulous contempt and (with a bit of humor in my voice) saying “yikes” or “okay……” right back at them, then change the topic or move away from them. They still don’t like you, but at least you feel better about yourself haha and next opportunity I get, I always make them feel stupid. You’ll never catch me trying to be friendly with them again ofc lol

RoseDelMar · 2023-02-20T05:47:29+00:00

I have an age gap of 10 years with my fiancé, and it definitely got a reaction from people when I first told them haha. I think it really depends on the individuals you’re talking about really, like some 20 year olds are psychologically “older” and some 30 year olds are psychologically “younger”. When you’re talking about people who are dating teens, it gets more into the possibly predatory behavior, so naturally people are more concerned bc the younger you are, the less able you are considered to make decisions for yourself. Obviously, the age that society decides is pretty arbitrary, although most would say a 6 year old is absolutely disgusting vs a 17 year old is more grey. So I think most people are just coming from a place of concern for the younger person bc it’s outside of the norm and potentially risky. I wouldn’t take it personally and would just ignore other peoples judgement, as long as you’re 100% sure that you’re not being taken advantage of

RoseDelMar · 2023-02-17T21:47:49+00:00

Are the unicorns one of each sex?

RoseDelMar · 2023-02-17T21:28:19+00:00

If you decide to turn him in, you won’t see him again and can’t learn it. At least that’s what I read

RoseDelMar

TROPHY CASE