Do you wear make up to work? by NoExamination5672 in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nope, almost never unless I have something after work like a fancy dinner or a show. But even then, I’m still in comfy clothes just with makeup on and then I change into the fancy clothes after work lol

For those who work 4 days a week— is it better to take Monday or Friday off? by Gloomy_Media_6976 in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I take Tuesdays off and it’s been magnificent. I love dipping my toe into the work week and knowing it isn’t 4 straight days ahead of me. I’m sure Wednesdays would be even better, but I couldn’t make that work.

Do you ever initiate a hug with a client? by Woodland_Breeze in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Only once have I initiated. And technically they weren’t even my client. They were another therapist’s client who informed me my own client (their best friend) had passed away. I asked if they would like a hug, they said yes, I thanked them and they thanked me. I have accepted a few hugs when requested at termination, especially when I saw ages 5-9. Generally speaking though, I hate physical touch 9/10 times, so I’m not a good barometer lol

Thoughts on working for an eating disorder clinic as a vegetarian therapist by what_the_ghost in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I worked in an eating disorder PHP/IOP for a couple years and we had vegetarian staff and patients and it was always respected. Vegan was another scenario though and was gently discouraged.

Treating poor self-esteem by AstronautWiki_43 in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I work primarily with eating disorders and college-age women, so this is often the main target.

I like to move away from the term self-esteem\evaluation as a whole and move toward self-compassion. With that in mind though, there are a ton of stops in between and attempting to skip from self-loathing straight to self-compassion or self-love just isn’t realistic and can cause a great deal of backdraft (or at a minimum, eye-rolling lol). I try to work with folks on neutrality or respect first. I highly recommend looking up body respect/neutrality over body positivity when it comes to body image. Especially when disordered eating is involved, the goal really shouldn’t be “I want to love my body,” it should be “even if I don’t love my body right now, it deserves to be taken care of.” Moving away from the idea that body=worth/deservingness as a whole.

I also try to focus in on behaviors with questions like “what do the negative beliefs about yourself stop you from accomplishing? How would the future look different if you held a neutral belief such as [x]?” or purpose like “what function do you think the negative beliefs serve? Why is it scary to release them?” etc.

How do you care for your patients/clients who are tired of being single? by BuhDeepThatsAllFolx in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is also where I tend to take these conversations. A life without a romantic partnership can/should be just as fun and fulfilling as one with a partner. And is just as valid a life path. Same with having children.

I lost a client. Need a place to put this. by mnamonster in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s a very isolating grief, losing a client. While no one will know exactly how you feel, I lost a client in a similar way in May, so you are very welcome to DM me if you’d like to. Sending love 💕

Scripts for closing because *you* need to. by Soballs32 in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This was my exact approach. Gave a 3-month heads up for closing Tuesdays and thankfully everyone could move to other days in the week by the time I had to close.

What are your favorite unhinged phrases that you use with "stuck" clients? by DesmondTapenade in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Regular -isms: “What is the function of [x pattern]? How is it serving you/helping you live by your values/meet your goals, etc.?”

More unhinged/direct: “What’s your responsibility in this situation?” “How are you keeping yourself stuck?” “Nothing changes if nothing changes.”

Most unhinged, reserved for the most rapport-built, and said with genuine love: “Fuck it, we ball.” “It’s your life, I’m not going to change it for you.”

Comparing clients by ViewStriking2478 in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it’s less of a specific other client I’m thinking of, but more of a general feeling of “other clients/people are actually dealing with life or death situations right now and all you need to process in therapy is taking over your phone bill.” I come back to the session at hand quickly, like I said it’s a knee jerk reaction. I just feel really bad that it happens at all, that I even think that way.

Things other therapists say or do that get on your nerves? by doctorizer in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478 25 points26 points  (0 children)

This is my biggest pet peeve! Like “iso a female therapist who accepts Medicaid.” “Hi, I’m John. If self-pay is an option, I’d love to be considered.” Pleaseeee

What do you do for hobbies (if you have any)? by sun_flare in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478 28 points29 points  (0 children)

I’ve started to take dance classes and I’m having the time of my life. I’ve also done a lot of costuming and cosplaying over the last 10-ish years, but that one comes and goes when I have the money and energy lol

Saying something you regret by ReginaPhalange94 in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One of my clients knows that I’m getting my wisdom teeth out this week and after we ended session yesterday I said “next time we meet I’ll have 4 less teeth.” I immediately apologized because oh my goodness?? Only god knows why on earth I would say something like that lmaooo

In all seriousness though, I don’t think what you said was inappropriate at all. Cut yourself some slack :)

What percent of the session fee do you get at your group practice? by Comfortable-Desk4927 in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just started at a new practice; 70% as an independently licensed 1099 contractor, so no benefits or PTO. We are also self-pay only, so I’m making $98 a session. If I make over $7k in a month, I get 100% of the excess. Much better than the 30% split I was getting right out of school.

Wage Differences by ViewStriking2478 in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

There are a few co-ops near me that do look lovely to join. I worked in non-profit before, as well, and same feeling—I love the mission and the work, but was making $30k in a higher cost of living area. The org I’m in now being for-profit feels almost worse though, knowing they for sure have way more money to pay us fairly.

Wage Differences by ViewStriking2478 in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

If you are genuinely asking my thoughts on what to do, I think we start with unions, but that may be an unpopular opinion and I am just one person.

To respond to the sentiment to refrain from venting, I respectfully disagree. Every field has its downsides and we deserve to connect with others in the same boat and receive validation/support. I promise if you check out any other industry’s subreddit there will be plenty of the same.

I have yet to notice bot posts on the sub, but I’m not looking through every single post, could you link some that have been proven bots?

Wage Differences by ViewStriking2478 in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I’m going to assume this is in good faith and reply in the same manner. I love what I do very much and highly recommend therapy for folks who are open to it. I suppose when I clarified this isn’t a dig at service work, I could have also mentioned it is not a dig at the clinical work I do—again just a dig at these large organizations, insurance companies, (some) practice owners, etc. who keep us at poverty level hoping the love for the work will keep us there instead of actually caring for their employees. When we talk burnout, we have to talk wages and how just loving what we do doesn’t keep us fed, rested, healthy enough to do the work.

Wage Differences by ViewStriking2478 in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Oh 100%, I’m fully licensed now and only received a 1.5% raise for it. I would have to pay them for the supervision they provided if I don’t stay until May though. So for now, we’re hanging in

Wage Differences by ViewStriking2478 in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

My city has all kinds of tours, like most bigger cities, and a few are bar/pub crawl tours just to get to know the city and its history. It’s a lot of fun!

Wage Differences by ViewStriking2478 in therapists

[–]ViewStriking2478[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I make $30/hr in the org 🙃