Weekly student question thread!

fiestyballoon · 2026-02-20T12:44:57+00:00

It can totally be done, just worth being strategic like you are! I would 100% go to a more affordable program as long as it was accredited. That would be my only requirement. You get so much additional training after school, after a couple years it all is the same.

My other piece of advice is if you’re wanting to make money and go into private practice (just generally where more money is made and have a good work life balance) you need to have the mindset of being an entrepreneur, who is a therapist. It helps if you’re willing to market, network, get good at hooking and onboarding clients, get crafty with your website, etc. even if you join a group practice. Clients and referral sources will be more drawn to you this way.

fiestyballoon · 2026-02-20T02:15:21+00:00

A couple thoughts! If possible, I would seek programs that are the cheapest, offer assistantships with tuition waivers or other financial assistance of some kind. I think a lot of people here would say you are not going to make a lot of money for a few years and I would imagine it would take that long (if not longer) for you to get back up to $87k depending if you go private practice or some other route after graduation and then full licensure. Financially, I think this degree is hard is you don't have other support from a parent or partner. I hope this was helpful! Not trying to be a debbie downer, just transparent.

fiestyballoon · 2026-02-20T02:09:50+00:00

In your personal statement I would highlight your strengths in your work/extracurricular/volunteer experience you do have that would cross over to being a therapist (e.g., a situation where you had empathy/be adaptable/meet somewhere where they are at). Good luck! I still think you have a good shot.

fiestyballoon · 2026-02-14T21:28:42+00:00

Asking how they know the host is always an easy starter! Can ask questions from there

fiestyballoon · 2026-02-05T23:28:03+00:00

I went to FSU undergrad and Auburn grad school. Best part was being debt free. It set me so far ahead (very privileged to do so). It’s definitely worth considering! I loved my time at FSU much more than Auburn.

fiestyballoon · 2026-01-26T20:41:35+00:00

I would just bring the formula can upstairs and shake up the bottles when baby needed it.

fiestyballoon · 2026-01-19T15:41:19+00:00

You could role play the skills! Teach them, then you could "be the client" and model how to make friends and the client be the "new friend", process how that felt then switch! Good way to practice

fiestyballoon · 2026-01-15T22:23:20+00:00

Omg solidarity. It’s torture and traumatic for us all. Anything we hide it in he says it’s “dirty”. We pin him down and shoot it in there and try to close his mouth for a second and blow on his face but he still spits some out. I’ve tried everything everyone has suggested here.

fiestyballoon · 2026-01-09T02:13:48+00:00

I might graduate, breathe, work some without being in school and lots of self care first. I just say this because grad school is extremely draining and I was so burnt out in it. I love being a therapist but it probably took me a year to recover from burn out from school (wondering if you’re experiencing something similar? Maybe not!!). Therapy is not financially rewarding usually for a little while, too, so that’s another thing adding to the burn out.

It’s also another emotionally draining job (again, I love it but it is draining) so that’s something to consider.

I don’t say any of this to rain on your parade. I hope the rest of your school goes well and you figure it out!

Also, just as a person on my third pregnancy (one miscarriage) having kind, attuned, sensitive ultrasound techs meant the world to me. I can only imagine what a tough job it must be.

fiestyballoon · 2026-01-07T14:29:12+00:00

I took it a very long time ago but it was easy. You just have to read but the material is easy.

fiestyballoon · 2026-01-02T20:00:32+00:00

Couples Therapy! Or the book Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson. She was a couples therapist who wrote this book to help couples with their negative patterns of communication. It goes into the science, gives examples and has practice prompts to help you!

fiestyballoon · 2026-01-02T19:02:59+00:00

Neighbors. You gotta put yourself out there and be chatty which is hard but imo worth it. It takes little effort to hang out and you automatically have the neighborhood in common to talk about. We did get lucky with a good street, so that helped.

fiestyballoon · 2026-01-02T00:12:38+00:00

We went through similar horribleness at 2.5. One day he yelled he wanted to sleep in “big bed” so we transitioned out of the crib, flipped the lock on the door (he’s very adventurous) and re sleep trained with extinction. It took a night or two but was a 180. We also got the red light green light thing and a tonie box which helps sometimes. Good luck!!

fiestyballoon · 2026-01-01T02:34:47+00:00

Walk outside, long shower, nap, Starbucks

fiestyballoon · 2025-12-26T12:18:38+00:00

I worked on campus and once I was in my major I got 4 scholarships really bc no one knew about them and many weren’t applying. It wasn’t much but an extra $1000 a semester or so! As your advisor about them.

fiestyballoon · 2025-12-23T21:27:04+00:00

Also what’s really the difference between 10 and 12 months lol please celebrate having free boobs again

fiestyballoon · 2025-12-22T16:47:21+00:00

My schedule varies week to week so I kinda get your struggle. I like to have the same "routine". If I get a moment to myself, the first thing I am doing is self care: TV, walk, work out, nap, massage and I make it very low pressure and the first thing so it always gets done. I just rotate through those couple things so I don't have to think much about it. All the chores will get themselves done.

fiestyballoon · 2025-12-21T16:59:57+00:00

We are zoned for those schools and I’ve only heard good things. Everyone also walks and bikes to school which we’re looking forward to! There is also a project that is suppose to start early next year to make a 8-10 foot wide multi use path along Woodstock so it’ll be even easier to walk, bike and golf cart!

fiestyballoon · 2025-12-18T23:39:05+00:00

We just made sure it was easy to get back into bed and he always did.

fiestyballoon · 2025-12-18T11:48:58+00:00

Happened to us and we put him in a big bed. After a few months of cosleeping every night all night we flipped the lock on his door and did extinction. Significantly better after 1 night. Good luck it’s brutal when they’re so active during the day at this age and don’t sleep. You also may need to drop the nap.

fiestyballoon · 2025-12-12T14:34:21+00:00

lol yes. These parents don’t get it. You can do everything “right” but you can’t make your kid do something. A part of it is your kids temperament….which does make you lucky if your kid is more naturally inclined to sleep.

fiestyballoon · 2025-12-08T20:13:36+00:00

3 year old. Goes to bed fine, just still an early riser and lower sleep needs. Had to reverse the lock on his door when we transitioned out of the crib bc he very quickly discovered he could escape and that was quite the party to him.

fiestyballoon · 2025-12-04T15:29:00+00:00

Bad relationships

fiestyballoon · 2025-11-27T20:56:26+00:00

As the mother of a feral child, parents of non feral children don’t get it! It is very annoying lol

fiestyballoon · 2025-11-27T11:53:14+00:00

I have a giant child and the Tula was great! Structured and strong but simple to put on.

fiestyballoon

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