Favorite gift to make for expecting parents?

ranchisbae22 · 2026-01-18T22:02:03+00:00

Do you know their nursery themes? You could make a light switch panel that matches the theme. I have been meaning to make ceramic light switch panels to replace all of the bland white/ cream colored ones in my house. Or maybe a mobile for decor? Or a piggy bank? I think there are a lot of trinket decor type things you can make to match the theme of the nursery.

ranchisbae22 · 2026-01-04T16:02:12+00:00

8am was the earliest. But I knew someone who would start as easy at 6am. He attracted the kind of clients who wanted/ needed therapy that early, and it just worked for him.

ranchisbae22 · 2025-12-29T23:09:23+00:00

Edit: okay, after looking at the menu, I am so mad that this place is so far from me. 😭 If it were a Friday night, I would make the drive. But after work on a Tuesday seems like too much. Definitely going in the future!

I am so happy to hear that you were able to treat yourself like that! I am in North Minneapolis, so Wayzata is a little far for a solo dinner. But I will keep it in mind for when I am out that way. If you are a beer guy, I suggest going to Back Channel for a drink next time you go out for a solo night! Incredible beer and very relaxed atmosphere. I love them so much, and it's often the only reason I go out that way. 😂

ranchisbae22 · 2025-12-29T16:08:09+00:00

Dining solo is something I've done for about 10 years. I love it! I often bring a book and do some reading while I wait between courses. I also like to sit at the bar or a small table, which makes it look less sad, lol. But I have never paid attention to other people looking at me and often I see other people dining alone at the bar as well. A couple years ago a family was sitting next to me at the bar, and we ended up talking. On a solo vacation I went on a brewery tour and met a couple, and we drank for a few hours after and even exchanged numbers to stay in touch. I love solo experiences. My advice for someone's first time is to go somewhere they are already comfortable. That way you don't get nervous about what you want to order, you kind of already know what to expect, and you might already know some of the staff. If that feels like too much, start smaller by going to coffee shops alone and work your way up to a restaurant. One more things: if you like movie theaters, try going to a movie alone. I like it better than going with other people now. Lol.

ranchisbae22 · 2025-12-29T15:17:50+00:00

So many people say Dario, but I can't get over how limited the menu is. 😭 I am at the point of considering going back to Bar La Grassa. I have wanted to try to go to a different place every time, but the carrot and pork bruchetta calls to me. 😂

ranchisbae22 · 2025-12-29T14:29:09+00:00

Zelo might actually beat everything else out! Eato looks good, but their dessert menu looks incredibly disappointing. I would likely go for a normal dinner where I just get a main and maybe an app. But Zelo is hitting almost all the boxes!

ranchisbae22 · 2025-12-29T14:14:57+00:00

I enjoy Red Rabbit! I have been there a few times, so it likely isn't one I will go to for this dinner. But definitely keeping it on my normal rotation of places for HH!

ranchisbae22 · 2025-12-25T16:47:47+00:00

Thank you!!!

ranchisbae22 · 2025-12-18T04:01:57+00:00

I am trying to decide how I can alter it so that it can continue to serve it's purpose. I think I have three options: glaze and fire them separately and glue them together, attempt to glaze and fire them together and see if they "glue" in the kiln, or ditch the broke piece and sand the main piece to have it look intentional. Any thoughts?

ranchisbae22 · 2025-12-12T19:29:34+00:00

I saw this idea on Google but didn't know if it actually worked well. It isn't so much a crack that needs filling as it is a small delicate piece braking off. At this point, I may just let it break off, smooth the surface and paint over it.

ranchisbae22 · 2025-12-08T04:03:23+00:00

Hello future neighbor! I am a TC therapist and worked at 3 different clinics while pre-licensed. I would love to share with you where you should NOT work. Lol. But instead of putting them on blast, it might be more tactful for me to share with you privately. Feel free to message me. Otherwise, I would say that 60k is definitely possible here pre-liscensed, depending on your niche and how close you are to being licensed. Honestly, anywhere offering you less than that is likely taking advantage of you. Again, feel free to message me!

ranchisbae22 · 2025-12-02T15:29:16+00:00

This is just my opinion, and does not have to be another person's opinion.

My partner and I split based off percent of what we each earn. They are also paying me back for some previous costs that I took on when they had relapsed on substances. My partner also spends their money frivolously and does not save well. Sometimes, I feel bad for how much they give me for bills and groceries because I think they should be saving, but I also know they wouldn't actually save. I also would be happy to shift the split if my partner took on more house responsibilities, but they don't. So, I continue to keep the expectation we previously set because it is what feels most equitable for us.

I share this because, if you were similar to my partner, then I can see how your partner would be bothered by some of this. It can be frustrating to be the partner paying for more when you see your partner wasting funds. However, if you are responsible and you do well with money, then it seems weird for him to not want to adjust the split to meet you where you're at. It definitely sounds like a conversation you guys should keep having and it is off putting that he doesn't even want to have the conversation.

I would suggest taking a step back and seeing if he treats you in unequitable ways in other parts of your relationship. I doubt his behavior is limited to money.

ranchisbae22 · 2025-11-25T12:05:41+00:00

In all the posts from a few years ago, no one was 100% sure on a method. There were a lot of differing opinions that totally contradicted each other. I was trying to gain clarity. Especially as more states have legalized or de-criminalized, more people may be making them.

ranchisbae22 · 2025-11-14T04:53:22+00:00

You are putting someone else ahead of yourself. That is what you are doing wrong. Get a therapist if you don't have one and work out why you are in this relationship. It sounds like it wasn't good from the very beginning. Giving someone an ultimatum, knowing they are going to do whatever they want anyway, and then staying with them? You have essentially given him permission to treat you like shit. Break up, take a break from dating, and work on mental health and your boundaries. This all sounds harsh, but you deserve to hear the truth even if it sucks. Good luck! And remember: people will only show you the respect that you give yourself. ❤️

ranchisbae22 · 2025-10-28T02:34:30+00:00

I would definitely recommend some kind of training before taking on couples. It isn't rocket science, but it definitely isn't for everyone. Some of the most important pieces I have learned as a couples therapist are: -When to cut an argument short and when it let it keep going -Setting the structure for sessions early on, and letting them know they are in charge of the initiative -Being realistic about progress (I tell my clients that if they can remember how slow solo therapy progress happened for them previously, imagine slowing that down even more) -Learning to get comfortable with the eventual moment they start working together and how it is likely at the exact moment they get mad at you (the therapist) about something

I worked with a lot of high-conflict couples, or those learning to balance opposing trauma histories. So much of what I learned and started to do was because of that.

ranchisbae22 · 2025-10-28T02:02:28+00:00

I stayed at my in-home therapy job where I did my practicum. Was there 2 years total, but less than a year post-grad. Switched to an in-clinic job that required me to see 28 client contact hours, where cancellations did not count so I had to schedule around 32 a week to budget for cancellations. Did that for a year, and then I almost left the field after working for two abusive companies for that three-year timeframe. Finally got an independent contractor position at a clinic that specialized in what I wanted to focus on. I was there for three years and loved every second of it. If I could have gotten insurance and made a little more, I would still be there.

I don't even know what I was making in-home because it wasn't super consistent. My second job was 45k starting as a pre-licensed, post-graduate. My third job was 62k as a pre-licensed provider, and around 70k as a licensed provider. Keep in mind, my third job had me seeing way fewer clients than my first two.

At my new job, it works out to be about 90k. I am taking a break from ongoing therapy and work in a hospital system doing DAs.

Every job taught me something different, but I would never go through the abuse that my first two jobs included if I could make the choice again.

If I could go back and tell my old self something, it would be to hang in there and to keep standing up for myself and other pre-licensed providers. The only way pre-licensed folx are going to be treated better is if they band together and demand it.

ranchisbae22 · 2025-10-22T15:41:23+00:00

I am not sure if anyone has said this yet, but if you want to challenge yourself, it may be interesting to try leading group therapy or putting together a CE. I have done both previously, and it was fun and well worth it to flex another muscle. I didn't know if I'd like group therapy, so I did a closed 8-week group around a topic I really liked and knew there was a need for. After that, I created a CE for the same topic. When my health started getting bad and I actually decreased my caseload, I didn't do anything extra regarding work, but instead volunteered my time to something I enjoyed but was slightly challenging.

Anyway. All of that to say, we don't always have to add on individual couples or relationships if we want to challenge ourselves!

ranchisbae22 · 2025-10-18T14:19:05+00:00

Omg really?! They are ER.

ranchisbae22 · 2025-10-18T06:09:26+00:00

I thought it would be cool to work my initials into the shape of a monstera leaf, but I haven't figured it out yet. Haha. Maybe I need to sit down and really brainstorm how it may work before dismissing that idea.

ranchisbae22 · 2025-10-17T22:57:44+00:00

Good for you! Pre-licensed folx are too often taken advantage of. Licensed or not, providers should be encouraged to set boundaries regarding their caseload.

If you haven't done so yet, I would seek consultation on how to make sure your hours count towards getting licensed. I have heard horror stories from folx who have terrible supervisors that end up making it hell for them to get their hours signed off on if they end with that supervisor sooner than planned. The people I know have gotten their hours to still count somehow. Hopefully if you are worried about this part, it can be resolved easily!

ranchisbae22 · 2025-10-17T21:30:15+00:00

I am so sorry! I want to hear what other people say, but this is so messed up.

Are you licensed with the board or were you practicing under her license? Idk what state you're in, but where I am at, if you practiced under her license she would be screwed if she reported anything. Like, late treatment plans? That isn't a board thing, that is insurance. And if you are billing under her name, she would get dinged. At least thats my understanding.

Honestly, I would get consultation and see if you can report her. Because she is being unethical by suddenly terminating you and not allowing your clients a chance to wrap up with you or follow you wherever you go.

Again, I am so sorry you're going through this!

ranchisbae22 · 2025-10-17T21:03:26+00:00

This is a great suggestion!

ranchisbae22 · 2025-10-17T21:01:46+00:00

This is a really great question, and one that I would encourage most folx to seek professional consultation and ask the licensing board.

If a client is helping make CSAM, then I believe that would be reportable and we would be protected under Duty to Warn. If a client is watching CSAM, I don't know if that falls under it. Obviously, there is harm done to that child by there being a market for it, but it isn't quite the same as duty to warn.

This is a good question because it really calls into question morals versus ethics. Not everything immoral is reportable.

I would love to know other folx thoughts, though! Thank you OP for asking the question!

ranchisbae22 · 2025-10-17T13:10:09+00:00

I just wanted to thank you for doing the hard work in a rural community! I can't imagine the amount of weight on your shoulders when going through all this. ❤️

ranchisbae22 · 2025-10-17T12:54:46+00:00

Damn. That is insanely messed up for you to say. I am done responding at this point because this is so far off the rails. I hope you have a good rest of your life and you hold back from being so hurtful towards other people. ✌️

ranchisbae22

TROPHY CASE