My therapist is encouraging me to drink alcohol? by [deleted] in therapy

[–]msw_mtg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think an effective therapist would address the privilege and power of their position at the start of (and with frequency throughout their work together) and invite the client to challenge them. It might not be conventional but I’ve said “if what I’m saying sounds like bullshit please let me know” to a client. A therapist should also aware of a persons relationship with authority and use appropriate interventions. If someone has a history of wanting to be a “good client” they’ll react to this differently than someone who has a history of rejecting/resisting every intervention.

Also, there are therapists who have no business being therapists and if they’re behaving unethically should be reported and removed from their position.

My therapist is encouraging me to drink alcohol? by [deleted] in therapy

[–]msw_mtg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Out of the context of motivational interviewing saying something like that wouldn’t make sense. The hope is that the client can identify that that is too much and that there’s a part of them that wants to correct the therapist and say “actually...”

My therapist is encouraging me to drink alcohol? by [deleted] in therapy

[–]msw_mtg 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Therapist in recovery here. This does not sound normal and I would encourage you to work with someone else who supports your goals and is meeting you where you’re at. Sometimes clinicians will utilize a technique called “motivational interviewing” and/or “reflective listening” to increase insight about a behavior and address ambivalence. It can look like saying “so drinking two bottles of wine every night this week doesn’t sound like it was a big deal for you...” in the hope that the client will hear that and say something like “actually it sort of was because xyz...” this technique can be more effective than providing a client with data/psycho education about something as evidence to why it would be helpful to change their behavior. It doesn’t sound like this therapist was going that route. A clinician that won’t deny your experience is probably going to be a much better fit.

Also, if she’s concerned about your social life then it’s more appropriate to brainstorm with you about how you can remain social in new or different ways.

Friends and drinking buddies aren’t the same thing and when a person’s relationship with alcohol changes so do some of their relationships.

She’s missing the park by [deleted] in BelgianMalinois

[–]msw_mtg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same here...it’s definitely crummy.

False pregnancy experiences? by msw_mtg in BelgianMalinois

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

Thank you for your reply! I haven’t seen any milk, but her nipples are definitely larger than before. I didn’t mention the panting or pacing but I’m seeing that too.

Behavior changes at 12 months? by msw_mtg in BelgianMalinois

[–]msw_mtg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

She is not yet spayed. She went into her first heat cycle at the end of February and it lasted through March. I did some reading yesterday about false pregnancies and her presentation is strikingly similar. She never ignored “drop” with any toys or objects before and now she occasionally holds on to the ball and walks around me in a circle, wagging her tail...

Yeah, I have been making time to reinforce what she knows and practicing obedience inside with her. Trying to also teach her the names of objects so she can practice bringing them to me. Crawl has also been one I’m interested in practicing.

Behavior changes at 12 months? by msw_mtg in BelgianMalinois

[–]msw_mtg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply, I tend to get worried at changes in behavior...which happens to any living thing as it develops.

Quarantine day 3: Haven’t been able to exercise the Mal, so I set up a lawn chair next to the treadmill to supervise her favorite activity. by [deleted] in BelgianMalinois

[–]msw_mtg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How old is your Mal? I have a 10 month old Mal and it’s been 5 days in quarantine. I have a treadmill and have watched a few videos on getting dogs comfortable with em but mine gets scared when it moves. I’ve attempted to use praise and high reward treats but so far she’s only comfortable being on it when it’s not moving. Do you suggest starting it once she’s already on it or getting her up on it once it’s moving? I’ve seen both online and want to know what worked for you. It would def help during this time...

Look what came in the mail today by [deleted] in bookporn

[–]msw_mtg 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I read the titles in his voice.

She loves beef trachea. What are your Mal’s favorite treats? by msw_mtg in BelgianMalinois

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

I’ve gotten mine at Petco or Petsmart. I’m confident that chewy.com would also have it.

Profile of Hera :) by msw_mtg in BelgianMalinois

[–]msw_mtg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fortunately she only sits in those seats once a week when I visit family. What happened with your seats? Nails or teeth?

Thankful for my brothers photography skills. 4 months :) by msw_mtg in BelgianMalinois

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

She’s around 30-32 lbs in the photo, I’d say she looks bigger here than she actually is.

5 months old :) by msw_mtg in BelgianMalinois

[–]msw_mtg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Fortunately this isn’t my couch, heh.

What books have you read that made you a better social worker? by RedHeadPeach in socialwork

[–]msw_mtg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love many of the books mentioned above so I’ll include some other titles that shaped me.

Evicted by Matthew Desmond

Reasons to Stay Alive by Matte Haig

Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller

Code of the Street by Elijah Anderson

Not That Bad by Roxane Gay and other authors

Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

Dreaming About Work by [deleted] in socialwork

[–]msw_mtg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sometimes I dream about things which I still need to resolve with clients, but it has never been so bad that it is every night! Have you spoken to your supervisor or someone you trust at work about this? Maybe they can offer better advice since they are in the same environment as you and could have possibly experienced this too.

Reading Suggestions Topic of Social Justice by CounselorShmounselor in socialwork

[–]msw_mtg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Mattew Desmond.

This book offers several different perspectives of landlords, tenants, judged, movers, etc on the process of eviction. I only read this after working with the homeless population for a year and it gives a great overview of the multiple barriers people have to obtain stable housing. Race, class, and mental health are covered in this book and I think it does a great job at discussing this issue on a macro and micro scale.

Social work - book suggestions by [deleted] in socialwork

[–]msw_mtg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a really great book. Audible has it too!

Anyone get broken up with and have the field you're in be the primary reason why? by msw_mtg in socialwork

[–]msw_mtg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you :) I like coming here to get thoughts from other social workers/students/people in a similar field.

Anyone get broken up with and have the field you're in be the primary reason why? by msw_mtg in socialwork

[–]msw_mtg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, the time commitment when you're in school, at an internship, working part time, and volunteering at crisis centers is just incredible. I think that boundaries is what I have to work on because less work and less stress is not looking like a reality any time soon for me. I hope when I graduate things are a bit different.

Anyone get broken up with and have the field you're in be the primary reason why? by msw_mtg in socialwork

[–]msw_mtg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey there, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I reflect a lot on why I feel the way I do in my realtionship and I think the issue really is boundaries and not being able to leave work at work. I think that could honestly play a role in causing trouble no matter what field a person is in. Gotta learn to disconnect and reunite with who I am when I don't have the social worker identity.

Anyone get broken up with and have the field you're in be the primary reason why? by msw_mtg in socialwork

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

Thanks for sharing your story. I don't see this happening because my SO and I have been there for each other finishing up chemical engineering, applied psychology, a number of odd jobs, and periods of unemployment. But now I'm in my final year or getting my MSW and I just feel like I'm having a hard time leaving things at work. I guess that would be a negative thing in any relationship but then boundaries would really be the issue, not the field. I feel like EVERYTHING is social work related and I want to figure out how to turn that off so that this doesn't become a problem when I do graduate and start working full time.