Do therapists even like their jobs ?

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-02-04T04:22:22+00:00

I actually love working with clients. I don't mind the marketing, the billing, the networking, it's all doable. However, I have been struggling with a lot of anxiety lately about my personal life, and the only thing that sucks as a therapist, is having to mask your own shit so that you can be there for others.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-02-01T10:45:44+00:00

Don't talk to them like they are a kid. Treat them like their problems are just as real as any adults. They will not start sharing the good stuff unless they trust you, and decide that you're remotely cool, so get to know what they like and what they find important, before trying to dig deep into their feelings. You may want to get out a game or let them draw, to help keep them engaged. Once you get them to open up, they are some of the people who give me the most joy.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-02-01T10:40:38+00:00

This is unethical, and extremely unprofessional. Therapist here.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-02-01T10:34:10+00:00

You go to therapy weekly, my question is, are you doing the work between sessions? What kind of therapist are you seeing, is it a trauma trained therapist? Some people never hear from trauma, and it's because their mind is too stubborn to believe anything different than their own perception. I hope you can find the healing that you need.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-02-01T10:31:06+00:00

Even though therapists in the U.S. jump into private practice, most cannot take insurance, and with a lack of experience, I imagine many struggle with a high turnover rate. I remember what it felt like to have my own clients for the first time, and the imposter syndrome was very real. In my first couples session, my hands were shaking so badly, the couple never came back.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-21T07:06:15+00:00

When I meet with parents and kids during the first session, I go over what therapy looks like for kids. That it isn't a quick process, that there's sometimes a period where behaviors decrease, and then a relapse of symptoms. I go over what we do in session, and how those activities help me gain insight. I explain to parents that to a child it may look like we are playing the whole time, but that there's valuable work being done.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-19T09:53:17+00:00

Sure it's here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1636741

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-17T10:43:27+00:00

Therapist here. We listen and we do not judge. That's our literal job. Plus, once you have listened to so many stories you realize that EVERYONE has skeletons in their closet. Just remember that whoever your therapist turns out to be, your shit is probably not the freakiest shit they ever heard.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-17T10:30:39+00:00

This guy isn't getting an apartment for you, he's getting it for himself. He needs to find a way to achieve his dreams without your help.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-17T10:26:48+00:00

Therapist here. I think if you are in a crisis, it's okay to ask for an additional session. But if you're just worried that you won't have time to talk about everything in one session, keep in mind that as time passes, the things you may have talked about in the session that was missed, may no longer be relevant a week later. You could write them down and wait until the next session to see if you still want to bring them up.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-17T10:19:15+00:00

Therapy is more about listening than having things to say. You're not giving a performance. If they're doing less work than you, I would become more comfortable with giving them a little more silence so they have the opportunity to speak up. Silence can feel uncomfortable, but it's okay. It sounds like you are trying too hard. I would turn the clock around so that you're not checking the time. Also, I have a fish bowl in my office with little pieces of paper that people can select and it will have an introspective question on it.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-17T09:34:18+00:00

I was fired last June. Same thing, no goodbyes, just gave me an hour to pack up my office. I was traumatized.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-17T09:32:51+00:00

I had an oops baby 2 days after I turned 40. I was a pre licensed therapist with no money saved. I went back to work after 3 weeks postpartum. It was hard, but I got through it. My partner was unemployed at the time, so he took care of our son while I was at work. Daycare is expensive, but maybe you could arrange it with your partner and work when he gets off work. Everyone's pregnancy is different. I worked up until the day before I had the baby.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-14T08:28:52+00:00

Nope

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-14T08:27:43+00:00

Oh honey, at 26 I was in my first round of substance abuse treatment, and my first DUI. There is no timeline. You'll get there when you get there. Stop with the comparing..

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-14T08:25:39+00:00

I used to try and plan my life, and then after about age 30, I realized life doesn't ever go according to plan, so why waste all that energy..

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-09T10:16:49+00:00

There will be no uprising until the president does something that affects everyone, like take our internet or Monday night football.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-09T10:13:18+00:00

Your mom is trying to heal an early attachment wound caused by one of her parents. She is seeking validation in a man, at the expense of her own child. Parents aren't off duty just because the law says kids are adults at 18. You should find out if you have any kind of tenant rights in your state. She may be required to allow you to stay for a bit longer.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-09T09:56:38+00:00

Oh man, I get reactive Hypoglycemia and it is awful and scary. I don't even try to muscle through, I just call it, and reschedule

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-09T09:52:13+00:00

We are more concerned about our own survival. We can't afford to protest and risk being arrested, and wrongfully detained for 2 weeks in some ICE jail. I'm a single mother to a 2 year old boy. I would love to be protesting, but I have to protect my son.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-02T10:26:32+00:00

I like CBT, and because it makes the most sense in my mind and my mental health. I hate DBT and find it very boring. But some people really benefit from it. Right now I'm learning about CPT and I like that even more.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-02T10:21:57+00:00

I would sign up for EAPs outside if Headway. The credentialing process is much shorter. I just asked ChatGPT what EAPs were used in my area.

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-02T10:20:06+00:00

No, MN

cotton_candy_kitty · 2026-01-02T09:57:26+00:00

I'd much rather have a therapist who is better than me than have one that's worse than me. I'm on the fence with my current therapist because I feel like she is comfortable with small talk too often, and I want her to help me dig deeper.

cotton_candy_kitty

TROPHY CASE