3 answers
alexandra
Student
Federal Way, Washington
1
Question
Asked
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Work Life Balance of a Therapist?
What is the overall work life balance of a clinical mental health therapist? Is the job stressful, do you have a hard time disassociating at the end of the day?
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3 answers
Diane Watt
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
9
Answers
Harker Heights, Texas
Updated
Diane’s Answer
Alexandra,
The beauty of working as a mental health therapist is there are many options to control your schedule. You can work for an agency that controls your schedule & how many clients you see per week (i.e. 40 hours/week or a minimum amount of clients seen per week); however, you can also choose to work independently and control your own schedule & how many clients you see. The amount of clients you see & hours you work tends to impact work/life balance.
Disassociating at the end of the day is important. I find it's helpful to understand I am responsible *to* my clients but not *for* them. I can listen attentively each session & care about them, but I cannot control what they choose to do or how they choose to live. Many times, therapists become disillusioned because they don't feel like they are making a difference or their agency requires they see too many clients, and the therapist does not feel like he/she can devote enough time/attention to each one.
Diane
The beauty of working as a mental health therapist is there are many options to control your schedule. You can work for an agency that controls your schedule & how many clients you see per week (i.e. 40 hours/week or a minimum amount of clients seen per week); however, you can also choose to work independently and control your own schedule & how many clients you see. The amount of clients you see & hours you work tends to impact work/life balance.
Disassociating at the end of the day is important. I find it's helpful to understand I am responsible *to* my clients but not *for* them. I can listen attentively each session & care about them, but I cannot control what they choose to do or how they choose to live. Many times, therapists become disillusioned because they don't feel like they are making a difference or their agency requires they see too many clients, and the therapist does not feel like he/she can devote enough time/attention to each one.
Diane
Delainia Wilkinson
2
Answers
Lexington, Kentucky
Updated
Delainia’s Answer
Hello Alexandra,
The job is stressful. Having all walks of life put before you to lay down their problems, for you to fix is not easy. But having the satisfaction of resolving an issue for another person is the best feeling. Going home is easier when you know your doing your best.
The job is stressful. Having all walks of life put before you to lay down their problems, for you to fix is not easy. But having the satisfaction of resolving an issue for another person is the best feeling. Going home is easier when you know your doing your best.
Emily Mayer Mendez
1
Answer
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Work/life balance is yours to control. Yes, things can get hectic & may feel overwhelming at times. Choose your employer & client population wisely. If you’re happy to go to work, enjoy the clients you have & feel supported at work that will help immensely. SELF-CARE, SELF-CARE & more SELF-CARE. So important, yet often ignored or put off. Get yourself a therapist!