First 1-2 Years: Surviving the Basics
Most Underrated Job in Mental Health I want to tell you about a colleague of mine. She was a substance abuse counselor placed in a
Difficult coworker They told you about the caseloads. The paperwork. The compassion fatigue and the clients who donāt want to be there. They prepared youāsort
I Want to Quit You haven’t said it out loud yet. Maybe not even to yourself. But it’s there. Somewhere between the third no-show of
Client Complaint You’re going to get a complaint. Maybe not today. Maybe not this month. But at some point, in your career, someone ā a
Client Transference You’re mid-session and your client says something that shifts the air in the room. Maybe it’s direct: “I think I love you.” Maybe
Therapist Attraction to Client You’re six sessions in with a client who’s finally showing up consistently. They’re doing the homework. Making progress. You realize you’re
Counselor Doesn’t Like Client Sometimes you just don’t like your client. Not “challenging.” Not “difficult.” Not “presenting with complex trauma and attachment issues.” You just
Clinical Documentation Overwhelm I’m looking at my to-do list, and it’s got dozens of progress notes, several assessments, treatment plans that needed to be done
High Caseload Management for Clinicians The number was 32. Thirty-two progress notes I needed to write. I remember staring at that number and feeling like
Clinical Supervision for New Counselors In grad school they talk about supervision like it’s going to be this transformative experience. A wise, experienced clinician guiding
Physical + digital tools designed for your first 1-2 years: confidence planners, supervision checklists, boundary scripts, and reflection worksheets.
