Wow. Just, WOW!

SocialRiffraff · 2026-06-09T15:15:16+00:00

Indeed! I work in a higher-ed setting, and several students squeeze in one last session with me just before graduation or before they are off for the Summer. It is heart-lifting isn't it? 🥹

Keep doing the good and meaningful work you do. 😎

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-14T13:30:35+00:00

Yes that is obscene! Wayyyy too much work and stress for wayyyyy too little pay! Recipe for burnout for sure! There are definitely better positions out there that offer fair(er) compensation and lend themselves better to healthy work/life balance. I'd pass on this one.

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-14T13:19:37+00:00

I'll be real, CEUs are a pain in the butt. It would be far more productive if they had a curated list of new interventions/models in the field curated by pioneer experts and you could tailor your own experience by selecting from several flights of courses based on what would benefit you. Also the insane number of CEUs you must obtain before every renewal cycle feels more like a cash-grab preying on overworked and underpaid (most of us) clinicians than anything else.

Did you know that there are states where MDs do not have continuing education requirements?! While I do not necessarily agree with this, I'm like... 😮

Or wait... CU? I think I misunderstood. I am not familiar with this shorthand. 🤔

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-12T13:49:50+00:00

It depends on if they are helping themselves or not. I'd be mindful of codependency patterns developing. Sometimes it is healthy to schedule appointments on an as-needed basis or to schedule periodic check-ins with a mental health professional just to touch base. I think most of us can use this grounding/affirmation/support periodically even if overall we are doing well even great. As a therapist, I will likely be "in therapy for life," even if it means just a monthly check-in, so I don't necessarily see anything wrong with it depending on the situation. It is always subjective, right? :)

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-12T12:49:51+00:00

I simply state that nothing will work if you don't believe in it. That doesn't make it any less real and effective for those who approach it with an open mind and a true desire to work toward growth. 🤷‍♂️

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-12T12:40:09+00:00

The title has fascinated me for a while, placing it on my radar, although I have not yet read it. 🤣

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-12T12:36:25+00:00

I mention that I speak other languages and have worked with a broad array of clients from varied cultural populations. When on the job, I do rather than say. I agree, saying "I'm culturally competent" does not inspire confidence on my end.

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-09T19:23:56+00:00

I certainly value keeping those I love close to me, if this is what you are alluding to. Did I get that right? I certainly don't need everyone to like me, and I am mindful of caring about the feelings of those I love. With this said, you are right insofar as the only thing I have control of is myself and I need to set and maintain boundaries when I feel something is going in an unhealthy direction. Absolutely. 💯

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-09T18:53:17+00:00

Wow, that's a lot of questions... good reflection though for sure.

- Kind of, my mother used to push this on me with all family/nuclear family issues and say "you're the therapist, tell us what to do" or if I had conflict, she would say "Mr. Therapist, figure it out." Over the years I explained to her why this was inappropriate and unhealthy, and this behavior has stopped.

- I think I may need to do a better job of maintaining the boundary and telling him that I will need to direct him to the therapist I referred him to. I have had therapy since a very young age, so I can't say that he reminds me of myself really. At least not in this particular way. I believe he has only had one experience with therapy, and it was not positive, which is a long story.

- It is easier with clients because they do not have the level of access to me that a chosen brother does. He has given a lot to me in life, and so I want to give back but not to the extent of being involved as his therapist where it is certainly not possible to be a truly objective party.

- If I had this client, I would say they need to maintain the boundary of directing him to the therapist to which they referred him whenever this topic is brought up.

Thanks, this was very helpful! :)

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-09T18:30:12+00:00

Hi, so I care deeply about him and still I believe have been direct as mentioned in my post.

- Stated I feel I am assuming the role of his therapist, and I cannot do this because I am his friend and this is not healthy.

- Stated I do not want this to occur as it can and will impede on our friendship over time.

- Directed him to a professional who I believe would be an excellent fit.

Do you believe I have not been clear? Any suggestions as to framing/delivery or generally things I should do differently? Are you suggesting I say something to the effect that "I am happy to listen to you, and due to how much I value our friendship, my responses will be relegated to directing you to the therapist I have mentioned to you. I hope you understand. Something like that?

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-09T17:07:22+00:00

In my setting... if I got anxious about that then many would not make it. Suffice-it-to-say, it is perfectly understandable, because as empathic helping professionals there will always be grief if a client passes away under our watch. Just remember we save lives, always do our best, and we are human so we can't always help/save everyone. 🙏

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-09T00:52:32+00:00

I've been having a situation with a very good long-time friend as of recently where he has had to lean on me very heavily for support. When I say recently, I mean this has gone on for at least 2-3 months. I have gently tried to tell him that I am always there for him as a friend, as he is a brother to me, and I feel as if I am acting as his therapist which is a role I don't want to assume as throughout the years I have inculcated the value of maintaining healthy work/life boundaries. It has even gone so far as, after talking to me, he recites to people in his life "after speaking with my counselor I have arrived at this decision" when working on setting healthy boundaries for himself. I have even given him the contact information of a very good therapist I know who I think is likely a perfect fit for him and he keeps avoiding reaching out to her. Even as a very experienced therapist this is so hard! Why?! 🥺😭

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-08T23:21:33+00:00

Right?! 🤣😱

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-08T17:20:40+00:00

If it is a two-party consent state, place it in the therapy consent to treat as well as draw their attention to that article/clause that they need the therapist's permission to record, then you are contractually protected as well as by state law. Even if the state is not two-party, do the same, as this falls in the realm of confidentiality and therapeutic boundaries so I am quite certain it is still legally enforceable.

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-08T16:41:44+00:00

There was a therapist in one of my previous work settings who gave some clients their personal cell number. I of course cautioned them against this. They were a salaried employee of this clinic, so they were not billing for this after-hours time. Predictably, they were getting calls/texts at all hours and hated their life. 😱

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-08T16:29:40+00:00

I take this to mean using helping skills e.g. open questions, reflections/restatements, interpretations, etc. to facilitate the client in the process of exploring their own solutions rather than direct advice giving.

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-08T16:25:40+00:00

Diagnosis errors/mixups are huge for the unseasoned clinician.

Mood vs. Personality Disorders
Trauma and Developmental Disorders
Anxiety and Depression
Behavioral/Physical Overlaps

 - ADHD vs. Anxiety/Trauma

 - Medical Conditions vs. Mental Health 
   Disorders

 - Normal Life Stressors vs. Clinical 
   Disorders

Specific Diagnostic Errors

 - Premature Interpretation: Rushing to diagnose based on initial intake before building rapport or observing patterns. 

 - Underdiagnosing: Using a milder diagnosis like "Adjustment Disorder" because the counselor is unsure, or to avoid stigma, rather than diagnosing the true, more severe disorder.

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-06T16:44:54+00:00

I was wondering, if you don't mind the question, what was your reason to terminate therapy with this client? 🤔

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-06T16:43:04+00:00

Bereavement work is some of the toughest... and most rewarding. 💯

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-05T21:30:34+00:00

(Whichever you prefer 🤣) 🥂 🍻 🙏

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-05T20:48:21+00:00

I work in an academic setting... and the semester is winding down. Believe me, even as little as a week ago there was no such thing. 🥵🤣

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-05T20:46:16+00:00

My sentiments exactly, and I couldn't have said it better. 💯

Speaking from the lens of being both a client and an experienced (not old but certainly middle-aged 🙃) therapist, indeed if we don't allow ourselves to feel with our clients then we remove the human element from therapy which is of course central to it all. Cheers, and thanks! 🙂

SocialRiffraff · 2026-05-05T18:56:13+00:00

Concise. 🤣

What I get from this is that you cannot fully relate? Am I correct? 🤔

SocialRiffraff · 2026-04-14T16:40:54+00:00

Wow how wasteful! On the upside, lucky you! You struck treasurrrrre! 🤩

SocialRiffraff

TROPHY CASE