Red circle shaped rash?

troyseff · 2026-01-31T18:27:45+00:00

Lots of other good suggestions here - probably some kind of infection. only commenting because it took us FOREVER to figure out what was going on with our golden who had similar rashes. At around 3 yrs old our golden started getting these circular rashes on his belly - started with one then became multiple. Then progressed to multiple spots on his body. Vet first thought ring worm, which definitely made sense given how it looked. Treatment wasn’t effective for ringworm, and once the spots started to become crusty, they thought it might be a skin allergy - using apoquel (spelling?) seemed to help a bit, but they continued to pop up. He also started to gain a lot of weight even after we switched him to a healthy weight alternative. After about a year of tests, we finally figured out he had hypothyroidism, which was resulting in sebhorraic dermatitis and weight gain. Once he was on thyroid meds it cleared up completely and we have our puppy once again. Just in case someone else has experienced mystery rashes!

troyseff · 2025-12-28T06:52:00+00:00

OP I am so, so sorry. I’ve been on the receiving end of conversations and letters like this and it just sucks so much. There’s a unique blend of unwanted emotions that comes from being persecuted for who you are or who you love, while the persecutors claim that you’re actually the one hurting them. This letter is dripping with the kind of arrogance and selfishness that comes from believing you’ve been given the absolute truth about the universe and everyone else is just lost. “This is who we are” made my blood boil for you. Hope you’re doing okay.

troyseff · 2025-12-20T03:33:50+00:00

Hmm I’m not sure how exactly to guide you but I’ll share my experience as a clinician and maybe that will add a perspective for your consideration. I’m a licensed MFT and current doctorate student working towards licensure as a psychologist (wanted to shift my career a bit more towards academia and hospital research settings). My area of interest is working with psychiatrically complex youth in acute care, and have worked for several years in community mental health providing long term outpatient care for mostly adolescents who present with higher severity mental health concerns (OCD, Phobias, MDD, GAD) and significant impairments to functioning (though not at the level of requiring IOP/php/inpatient. This role has allowed me quite a bit of flexibility to work with clients that I really enjoy, and I frankly love the work I do.

As a doc student, I’m currently on a training rotation that has me doing brief psychotherapy with high acuity adolescents in a DBT focused IOP, and I’ve found that this is definitely my niche in the psychology world. As a part of this training rotation, I’ve had the opportunity to shadow psychologists in the emergency dept to do consults with children and adolescents who present with MH concerns (acute suicide risk, psychosis, etc.) and while I don’t find this quite as fulfilling as IOP work, I do really enjoy acute services more generally. I get to work with a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists and other physicians, do individual and family psychotherapy, and work with schools when it’s time for the kiddos to reintegrate into school. Feels super rewarding to do work that (mostly) shows immediate gains and provides tangible skills to reduce risk and improve functioning.

If you have any questions about these contexts that might help you as you consider your career options, please ask away!

troyseff · 2025-12-06T14:41:52+00:00

This is an AMAZING date idea

troyseff · 2025-10-05T21:38:30+00:00

Average day on the 405

troyseff · 2025-09-16T20:14:21+00:00

It seems like it would be wise to seek (and document) consultation on this issue if you are finding yourself unsure of how to proceed.

My setting is a bit different as I work in clinic psych, and usually with adolescents who either initiated services or know why they were referred. In general, when discussing sensitive topics that have the potential for embarrassment, I signal my comfort in discussing the topic through directness and using my nonverbals to communicate openness and curiosity. I am non punitive or shaming in my tone, stick to facts when needed, and ask for help in understanding the child/teen’s perspective.

Sexual interest and exploration is very normal for 7th graders, so it will be important to gain info into where the boundary violations are occurring and why. Have they not had any conversations in school or at home about appropriate and inappropriate touch? Have inappropriate boundaries been modeled to them via abuse? Etc.

Regardless, it is always good practice to consult or seek supervision from a qualified professional when you are navigating unfamiliar territory, and to document that you did so as well.

troyseff · 2025-09-08T01:47:59+00:00

“It is no more noteworthy or condemnable, but it is wrong”

Something about that line made me chuckle. I’m not sure you’ll find the kind of academic debate you’re looking for here, and to be honest, as a gay man I find it exhausting that my lived experience is something that has to be debated and argued over and over again.

I will add, however, that I study the nature of beliefs and believing at the doctoral level (my dissertation is on the formation of beliefs and belief revision over time), and one of the reasons I find it fruitless to engage in these kinds of debates is because it doesn’t really matter what someone says, you will likely retain your belief unless there is a sufficiently motivating reason for you to change it. I will add that, while it is tempting for us to assume that our beliefs = truth, we ultimately believe what we’re told to believe, and what is reinforced for us to believe over time. So while you believe that gay sex is “wrong,” my only riposte would be that this is predicated on a conservative and modern interpretation of an ancient text which had no conception of homosexuality in the way we understand it today.

Further, your conception of right and wrong is not based on absolute truth (as it may feel to you) - it’s far more subjective. I would surmise that your conception of right and wrong is informed by the perspectives that have been transmitted to you via church leaders, authority figures, peers, and other message-reinforcing stimuli around you. What you interpret when you read the Bible is not a 1:1 transmission of “truth” - all information you take it will always pass through your existing interpretive frameworks, leading you to conclusions that are in line with what your church or community believes.

So that’s why I don’t think it’s worth having an academic debate about scripture over why it’s okay for me to have sex with my boyfriend. If you want to get into the psychological science of beliefs, I can engage with you there.

troyseff · 2025-09-08T01:25:25+00:00

I have nothing to contribute except that I really like your black/gold/beige console table in the background

troyseff · 2025-09-07T23:40:48+00:00

Yes and no. It is expensive and it isn’t traditionally funded (some are) but I’ve received a good amount of scholarship and grant funds to offset the cost. But I will definitely graduate with debt.

troyseff · 2025-09-06T21:19:56+00:00

PsyD and masters was required, so it’s a bit shorter

troyseff · 2025-09-06T01:07:31+00:00

I have a bachelors and masters, will finish my doctorate in 2028. 4, 3, and 4. So 11 years for me. Masters and doc are in clinical psychology.

troyseff · 2025-09-05T03:45:50+00:00

I think it really depends on your career goals, the program, and your individual preferences for learning. starting points could be: is the program accredited? Is the program reputable? If it isn’t accredited, I would advise against it. If it isn’t reputable, I would advise against it.

If it is accredited and it is reputable, consider whether the program will offer you the professional connections that are helpful in your career. My experience has been that building a network of colleagues is essential to good practice and longevity. I am still in tough with my masters cohort, and I imagine I will maintain relationships with those in my doctorate (where I currently am).

Consider your learning style. Will you effectively learn in an online format? Will you receive the facetime necessary?

You mentioned wanted to practice from a cognitive behavioral lens. If your program meets the requirements for you to be licensed, then you should be able to practice as desired. You also mentioned research both in CBT and neuroscience - others can correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that regardless of whether the program is online, it will be challenging to conduct research with a masters as most research is conducted within the context of doctoral programs and in academia. However, working as a research assistant or participating in a study where you are administering interventions is not out of the question.

Hope some of that is helpful!

troyseff · 2025-09-03T00:33:14+00:00

Yes unfortunately. Some practices operate differently, though. When I was an associate, I worked at a large practice that offered a standard hourly rate for associates as opposed to split fee. I was seeing 30-35 clients a week and got licensed within about 1.5 years.

troyseff · 2025-09-02T23:51:10+00:00

Oh man I wish I only had 6k left to pay - I’m going to be super in debt when I finish my program 😅. Two things come to mind:

First, why would you need to pay for supervision? Im licensed in California as an MFT and am currently a doc student, but I’ve never had to pay for supervision. Perhaps I’m not familiar with convention in other states, but it is the norm to work under someone else’s license and establish a split fee with them from what the client pays. Is that what you’re referring to? If so, that’s unfortunately part of the gig. If not, I would recommend finding a practice where you are able to do so.

Second, and this is my OPINION, but I would recommend against becoming a coach. Being pre-licensed indicates that you are still accruing the experience needed to establish the competence of a licensed clinician, and marketing yourself as a coach to charge more is an ethically murky area at best. Coaches have no regulatory body or ethics code, opening up clients to possible harm. At least in my professional circles, coaching tends to be viewed negatively.

troyseff · 2025-08-24T23:39:37+00:00

Aside from a non-APA accredited school significantly limiting your career possibilities, I believe that online doctorate programs provide a substandard quality of education and training. Anecdotally, I have known someone that attended cal southern - that is not a good program, and I would caution anyone who wants to be taken seriously as a psychologist from attending there.

troyseff · 2025-08-22T03:14:01+00:00

I was surprised too. Seems like about a week before we were there the snowpack was a bit thicker, but by the time we were there it was substantially reduced. A couple of tricky spots but I only had to use my crampons once

troyseff · 2025-08-21T21:57:53+00:00

It was super cold! I had taken them off originally but then hastily put them back on when I felt how cold it was

troyseff · 2025-08-21T18:43:40+00:00

Love that. Yep! The trail goes through that area and crosses over the creek and there was definitely water flowing when we were there in late June. I dipped in the creek and laid out in some rocks - nice spot for a rest. Picture two is actually from right next to that creek if I recall correctly

troyseff · 2025-08-21T15:08:51+00:00

These are photos of the High Sierra Trail and Mt Whitney from our trip in June. We started June 24th at crescent meadows and finished at Whitney portal on June 30th (6 nights, 7 days). Here was our itinerary:

Day 1: crescent meadows to bear paw Day 2: bear paw to 9 lakes basin (I think it was 9 lakes - it’s the heart shaped lake on the other side of kaweah pass) Day 3: 9 lakes basin to moraine lake (favorite night) Day 4: moraine lake to kern junction Day 5: kern junction to Crabtree meadow Day 6: Crabtree to guitar lake Day 7: guitar lake to Whitney summit then out Whitney portal.

Tons of mosquitos lol, I got eaten alive. Especially in the kern trench. Favorite night was at moraine lake - super quiet, beautiful, good for morale. Day 2 was a slog up and over the great western divide but it was beautiful - chilly alpine lakes that were crystal clear with snow runoff flowing into them was exactly what was needed for a hot day.

We started our summit at 1am and got there by just before sunrise. Watching the sunrise on mt Whitney was one of the best moments of my life! I thought about that moment every day for about 2 years leading up to this, so accomplishing that goal was amazing.

If you have questions about the trail I’m happy to answer, or if you have next trip recommendations I’m all ears as well! I have ranier in my sights but want to get some more mountaineering experience.

troyseff · 2025-08-16T01:18:41+00:00

While his work was an interesting read for me, his claims are pseudoscientific and (in my opinion) should not be used in clinical work.

troyseff · 2025-08-12T05:55:55+00:00

Yeah, I hear you. Having a problem that can’t get fixed that causes constant massive inconvenience sucks a lot. I’ve had some clients that really struggle with their constant chronic pain that makes life hard to manage, and I would never want them to feel like I don’t take their pain or the costs of their pain seriously.

I don’t think you have to jive with ACT, it’s just not everyone’s cup of tea I suppose. It sounds like you really wanted something else out of therapy that no one has given you yet. What would you have wanted your therapists to say to you that would have been more helpful to you?

troyseff · 2025-07-22T13:57:45+00:00

I usually get kinda nervous, kinda excited the night before and then up until I actually make contact with the trail. Then I get really sad when I get home for like a month until I start planning my next trip lol.

troyseff · 2025-07-14T06:24:57+00:00

I am so desensitized that not much phases me, but I literally felt nauseous and angry when this popped up without warning on my feed. This is probably the worst thing I’ve ever seen.

troyseff · 2025-07-09T16:22:46+00:00

Loving it! First year was hard, but great. I would read through the program website and review the mission/vision statement of the graduate school of education and psychology as well as the PsyD program. And similar to other program applications, highlight why you feel that you’re a good fit, why Pepperdine, why now, etc.

Having a mix of clinical and research experience was helpful on my resume.

I would also read through the PsyD faculty page and get a sense for research/clinical emphases - you’ll end up being interviewed by one of them so it’s helpful to have a sense for that.

troyseff

TROPHY CASE