What Being a Therapist is Really Like

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3 жыл бұрын

What Being a Therapist is Really Like
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I remember before becoming a therapist I had a picture in mind of what my life would be like as a therapist. And because of the confidential nature of therapy work, it seemed impossible to know what being a therapist is really like.
In fact, I remember frantically asking therapists if I could shadow them so that I could find out.
(That was when I was in college and had no idea how big of an ethical issue shadowing would be!)
And now that I've been working as a therapist for 13 years, I thought I would share a little window into what being a therapist is really like, because there were definitely a lot of surprises I didn't anticipate! I had a lot of fun putting this together, so I hope you find it both helpful and fun to watch.
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This video is geared for therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field.
Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
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This video is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.

Пікірлер: 126

@gocubs1815 3 жыл бұрын

I LOL'd so hard at the "reading a good book" part when you were reading the DSM 🤣

@starticegalmore8602 2 жыл бұрын

Yes I cried! Lol

@artrayus3 Жыл бұрын

I also laughed out loud at that part. It's the little details that get me!

@actingfan11 3 жыл бұрын

As a psych undergrad, thank you SO much for covering this’ This is the closest thing I’ll get to “shadowing” a therapist until grad school.

@terseandtiny1746 3 жыл бұрын

Yes! Running to the bathroom is a major part of it lol

@PrivatePracticeSkills 3 жыл бұрын

💯

@colbyl5582 3 жыл бұрын

Agency work is intense, paperwork heavy, low paying, but very rewarding. Private practice is less paperwork and intense in a different way, but still very rewarding. It can by higher paying but you need to be comfortable with networking and taking on a more business mindset than what they teach you in grad school. Counseling is amazing and I love it, but know what your getting into before dedicating years of education and money to it.

@PrivatePracticeSkills 3 жыл бұрын

So true! There are pros and cons to every type of therapy work

@benjaminollis7621 Жыл бұрын

I abhor networking but plan to do private practice as soon as i can after starting non private.

@chaoticfroggo6852 Жыл бұрын

I'm a student in high school that wants to be a therapist!! I loved this way of showing what being a therapist is like through visuals. I think I got most of my questions answered, thank you!!

@VlogableSamantha 3 жыл бұрын

Yet another personal reflection. That killed me. 😂😂 too true.

@markusmcschallenburger4151 3 жыл бұрын

3:30 "or maybe reading a good book" - DSM-5! Ha, I love it!

@hey.kiersten 3 жыл бұрын

I literally laughed out loud when she pulled out the DSM-5!!

@Malin0908 Жыл бұрын

Me in therapy after a year: Shaking, trying to be as small as possible, ready to be rolled eyes at and told to get the hell out. Working on opening up more, relaxing, but i’m always so anxious around other people.

@michellebee1117 3 жыл бұрын

😂 Spot on about grad school and agency work!! The No Shows! The paperwork and trainings! 😖

@alexmurphy5289 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this. I am honestly really jealous that you knew early on what you wanted to do for a living. I’m 31 in corporate and going back to school soon to become a LPC. It’s tough switching careers so late but better than never

@angelicadevera1992 Жыл бұрын

Good luck! U got this

@HammyGirl999 Жыл бұрын

Im doing it at 45. So… You’re early! 🤣

@terrancekayton007 5 ай бұрын

Psst, I’m 40 😂😂

@holistikirsty3167 2 күн бұрын

I'm doing it at 33...it's never too late! :)

@dianemorelos5910 3 жыл бұрын

This was all SOOO accurate!

@enatp6448 3 жыл бұрын

Yes! Nailed it 😊

@tooljack4439 2 жыл бұрын

Really good job on the video. Loved it!

@timvanwanrooij6810 3 жыл бұрын

Loved it! So accurate and brings back fond memories for myself too :) Thanks for sharing!

@leanabrown7864 3 жыл бұрын

I died when you said the running to the bathroom or getting a snack 🤣😂 the story of my life. I feel a lot more busier doing my private practice then when I worked in an agency but I know that is due to all the administration work that comes along with it.. as for the insurance.. I ABSOLUTELY HAVE A BILLER... I won't accept insurance without one lol.. but overall I LOVED this video! So true!

@jpsmith81 Жыл бұрын

You NAILED it!!

@Jana_14320 3 жыл бұрын

100% accurate. Thank you for the honesty

@paigehansen6491 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@GraceFilled 2 жыл бұрын

Hello! This is my first time commenting but I have watched about 60% to 75% of everything you have made and I just want to say thank you!! I'm still in undergrad but it doesn't change the fact this has been so useful and encouraging!!

@mattmoore88 Жыл бұрын

I feel the comment about grad school being a place where I am doing yet another reflection paper. In my third year and those reflection papers seem silly but are so very helpful to me now

@joannamcameron2470 3 жыл бұрын

You totally nailed it! So much time on hold verifying insurance.. love that my client’s get to relax and it’s not stuffy at all!

@duncanhaywood4624 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the advice

@joiagibble3625 Жыл бұрын

Oh wow, thank you so much for this video. My bubble is definitely burst about a couple of things! I really really don't want to deal with insurance. And you're acting skills are on par! lol I felt this 4:53

@deerkeeper 2 жыл бұрын

Such a fun video. Extremely spot on! I particularly appreciated what you said about humor in therapy. As a therapist myself who uses lots of humor, I was beginning to think I was the only one. It's nice to be validated!

@veromarie2500 3 жыл бұрын

You hit it on the nail, This is so accurate, everything you said is so true! Lol 😆

@theawakenedheart8783 3 жыл бұрын

This was hilarious Marie 😆 and thank you (have heaps of binge watching to do to catch up though). Stay well and congrats 🤰🏻🧸🎊🎇🎆

@kpopcereal_hobismilesugaab3075 Жыл бұрын

You are so good .. Great to watch ... Yes video HELPED!!!! ME A LOT

@user-nm5cp9jd2o 5 ай бұрын

Thank you SO much for showing routine aspects of your work :> Because I was struggling to find any non-official but everyday life information. Your video was a treasure ❤

@riagupta3486 3 жыл бұрын

This was so helpful. Really appreciate the work you do. I am an undergrad rn, hoping to do a masters in counselling. I would really appreciate it if you could do a video on what you think about the diff options for masters such as thesis vs non-thesis. My university offers an M.A vs M.ed and I cant wrap my brain around which would be a good fit. Thank you for your consideration.

@meghanwoods.phd.rdpsych 3 жыл бұрын

Loved your video and found it so validating. The part about the time spent in agency work was especially spot on. Random question - would you be willing to give a list of the books on your bookshelf in the background? No worries if not!!!

@mathilde-qq1tz 2 жыл бұрын

this video was so helpful :))

@englishrose4388 3 жыл бұрын

Love this. So creative and true to life.

@KarmaK1984 3 жыл бұрын

The paperwork overload of agency work is soooooo spot on!! It was all I did and all anyone in my life ever heard from me: ‘I’m doing paperwork’ 🤪🤪🤪 I was incredibly fortunate that I got an opportunity to leave the agency and work on a teletherapy platform in March 2020 right before things shut down (this was something I had planned since getting my license 2 months earlier - the most perfect timing!). As for insurance hassles, I just recently signed up with Headway and they do all that for me. No headache there! Thanks as always for the videos!

@phylliswillis1298 Жыл бұрын

I've been licensed for a year & practicing since last July... all this is True.

@zachpackard 3 жыл бұрын

This looked so much fun to create😆 I finally returned to school to become a therapist after all these years and I’ll attest the all nighter piece couldn’t be more accurate 😴 bravo on another gem Dr Fang👍

@PrivatePracticeSkills 3 жыл бұрын

I did have fun making it! Gotta keep ourselves entertained during the pandemic somehow right?

@cat999991 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video. I have 2 speeds, fast and quick which i work before, between and after sessions and a slowed down, calm and very present speed I have during session. My clients think my job must be wonderful and easy. But that's because I work hard to create a safe and conducive environment for them. There is definitely a behind the scenes difference. 🙂

@starticegalmore8602 2 жыл бұрын

This was very helpful and makes me feel so much better about how sessions go. 😂

@Honest000w 3 жыл бұрын

I love it... Phd seems eons away. Just trying to pass my exam to get my license first! I’ll have to apply for next year🤷🏾‍♀️

@starview87 5 ай бұрын

Thanks, this was super helpful for me. I just graduated with my bachelor's degree, finally, and I am working on trying to find a job. Also, I really want to get into "real counseling" as soon as possible. I know that I still have some more work. I am looking forward to the day when I get there and this made me smile!

@samanthaallison-evans3142 3 жыл бұрын

I love this video

@forreal2009 2 жыл бұрын

so helpful

@XxKatie95 3 ай бұрын

I have been a social worker for 7 years, but only recently moved to providing therapy. I'm so glad for this video! I went in cold turkey (no experience in career or internships) and am always wondering if I'm doing things right. This was very validating lol thank you!

@Enchanteralle 3 жыл бұрын

This is like 99.9% accurate haha. I used to think I'd be all chill and zen at work especially in between appts, but I find myself running to the restroom because of back to back appts! Also, only 1 client in my career so far came in lying down on the sofa while talking to me. No crying though. Everyone else sat down on the sofa. I think one thing I didn't realize is that what working as a therapist is like depends on the work setting. At least in private practice, I can schedule my own breaks and balance my schedule. I've worked in settings where it's just back and back appts, force booking, working over time, doing case mgt, having to go out in the field, doing social work that is not really what I went to school for, etc. Oh I also didn't think of doing teletherapy back then and I'm doing that 100% of the time now.

@beccakrist96 3 жыл бұрын

I am so happy you made this video. I am currently doing my degree in psychotherapy and counselling. This really took some pressure off of me. 💛💛💛💛

@PrivatePracticeSkills 3 жыл бұрын

Congrats! You're doing it! Glad this was helpful :)

@AThousandWords 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video! It was helpful to me to see that your reality = my expectations already :)

@PrivatePracticeSkills 3 жыл бұрын

That's great!

@sandyzuniga1 2 жыл бұрын

OMG!! As a Grad student in her last quarter and 1.5 years of practicum, in both community mental health and private practice model, I soooooo agree with everything you said!! Thank you so much for this video, I feel less worried knowing it is not just me. 😝

@PrivatePracticeSkills 2 жыл бұрын

It's definitely not just you! :)

@oliviaflorestal3791 Жыл бұрын

I’m so excited for my future

@ingridfaro7442 3 жыл бұрын

brilliant

@psichologelina 3 жыл бұрын

Great video, Marie. Therapist are human too, that's the part to remember :) Today I had something fall into my right eye the second the session started and I couldn't remove it easily. It was like "yeah, I'm listening", but at the same time browsing my eye and crying. Fortunately, that didn't take very long and I managed to fix my eye :)

@PrivatePracticeSkills 3 жыл бұрын

Oh no that's the worst! Glad it resolved quickly

@Manisha-ec6rk Жыл бұрын

Nice video 👍

@paulhornbogen980 3 жыл бұрын

Dealing with unexpected, planning for the remainder of the year, note taking, family, daily health, organizational dynamics-informal organization-how things are really done, But truly enjoy your humor at this field.

@PrivatePracticeSkills 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely! I had scripted several segments about family life, but it was going to be more work than I bargained for to film that so I skipped it :)

@jaxmularkey8762 3 жыл бұрын

Lol this is cracking me up - funny cause it's true!

@pbxh6740 Жыл бұрын

“Reading a good book” and it’s the DSM. LOL.

@arnobrahee1930 Жыл бұрын

Love you

@Honest000w 3 жыл бұрын

The bathroom run is so me! Lol omg 😆

@Honest000w 3 жыл бұрын

Have you done any videos on billing and insurance for pp. I do appreciate your videos 🙏🏾

@hey.kiersten 3 жыл бұрын

I felt all of this - so true! Some of my clients have such a fabulous sense of humor, and I agree, I think we spend a lot more of our day laughing/joking with our clients than people would expect. I have gotten questions about what I write in my progress notes after session. It is much more boring and clinical sounding than anyone expects!

@PrivatePracticeSkills 3 жыл бұрын

haha, yes to all the above! On the rare occasion when it's made sense for a client to see my notes, it's always a very anticlimactic reaction from them :) Like "wait, that's it?"

@taylorb3084 3 жыл бұрын

Loved your inclusion of laughter!!!

@PrivatePracticeSkills 3 жыл бұрын

It truly is a significant part of therapy!

@apple1hun Жыл бұрын

Very helpful and accurate. Watching this video made me feel normal again haha Gojng into therapy thinking it was all about the client, but there’s a lot of paper work, trainings and insurance work that gets done besides seeing clients.

@alexandrau992 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for making this video!! Can you please make one discussing life right after grad school or the path you took right after grad school? ☺️☺️

@PrivatePracticeSkills 3 жыл бұрын

I have a video covering being a postdoc kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fdiPbNiC18vbfXU.html Not sure if that's what you meant, or if you're wondering about some other aspect of life after grad school?

@alexandrau992 3 жыл бұрын

@@PrivatePracticeSkills So amazing! Thank you! I've been stressing over after grad school finding something career-wise to get me started. I just recently subscribed to you & am just starting to binge on your videos!

@alexanderstefanini42 Жыл бұрын

Funny and so true.

@JustChristianThings Жыл бұрын

Now I see why I had such bad experiences with therapists in the past if that's what they expect..Coffee with a friend? really? The whole point of going to see a therapist is getting professional help when you're struggling in life. I've tried so many therapists and they made me feel even worse! Worthless, Like I wasn't even worth their time. I was falling apart and suffering and they didn't say anything to help me. I remember them all being so cold and heartless. I had such terrible experiences so I finally gave up on therapy and never got the help I needed. Knowing how many bad therapists are out there that just want easy money makes me want to become a therapist because I genuinely want to help people so they don't have to suffer and struggle their whole life the way I did.

@BerthaBoyd-eh9dp Ай бұрын

I agree I feel they just look at you, and stare waiting for you to say something else, that’s not helpful, what is therapy for?

@lizdestefano4905 2 жыл бұрын

I'm not a therapist but a fan of your channel and just a curious mind! I knew you took notes but honestly I thought you guys doodled lol no joke! But The whole laying down on the couch that's how I saw therapy 😆😅🤣yep and whole well my mom......my childhood started like.......while crying! And crying lying down isn't fun or comfortable!

@the_StennisFactor 6 ай бұрын

ayooooooo this video made me LAUGH so hard lol. love it

@ToniRichter11 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve had teen clients ask what I do. Bathroom, stretch, chug coffee, scarf down a snack. Lol. It’s very glamorous. Lol

@John_II 3 жыл бұрын

Really great to have a look at the practice from the therapists point of view. :) And the editing on this video must have taken forever. It's so polished.

@PrivatePracticeSkills 3 жыл бұрын

You're too kind! It takes a little bit longer than when I'm just talking at the camera, but not too much longer. These are fun to make too!

@rachelhinva1785 3 жыл бұрын

I so appreciate this video. It made me laugh remembering the differences between my expectations and what I was actually experiencing. When I was a resident in a group practice I experienced so much anxiety because I thought these things were only happening to me. I stuck with it and love private practice and encourage anyone to pursue this career.

@PrivatePracticeSkills 3 жыл бұрын

I'm glad it all worked out in the end! :)

@mhknutritionclinic5733 3 жыл бұрын

OK it is crazy the similarities between my life as an outpatient dietitian and being a therapist :D

@EllaZhufilms 2 жыл бұрын

Short pee break I definitely didn't think about🤣 we do 55 min sessions...

@knHebrew 2 жыл бұрын

I’m a COTA and I’d like to do trauma therapy. What is the easiest way to start this journey?

@MariaG-xh9il 3 жыл бұрын

very accurate, hehe

@Iammarlonbrown Ай бұрын

Did you apply to your PsyD program after your junior year of undergrad or once you completed your bachelors degree

@alotofmore 2 жыл бұрын

I’m starting to second guess education all together now… I understand it needs to be challenging but I doubt people actually retain readings they skim over. What’s the point?

@jani4011 2 жыл бұрын

hello, how do you become a therapist, can you become one without going to uni?

@mycatisromeo 10 ай бұрын

I'm 43 and i could probably retire are be semi retired and work part time. Or go back to school and rack up huge debts; like $70,000+ to become a therapist, plus the money lost not working. I'm debating if its worth it. Do i want to have a debt accruing interest that may take me until my mid or late 50s to pay off? I have one of the toughest decisions of my life here to deal with.

@justlauren3253 2 жыл бұрын

Hi! I just found your channel. I have a question. Do you actually use the techniques you were taught in grad school like CBT or do you have your own eclectic approach to therapy? I am thinking about going back to school to become a therapist but I am very spiritual and i feel like I would find myself struggling between wanting to give worldly advice and wanting to share spiritual insight. Are you allowed to share personal experiences so your clients can better relate to you or is that considered inappropriate? Thanks in advance! 🙂

@beckyd5542 8 ай бұрын

Therapists can use self- disclosure if it's for the benefit of the client. It should be limited and to the point. I works definitely not be connecting as much with my therapist if he didn't occasionally tell me relevant stuff from his life.

@teresa4385 3 жыл бұрын

LOL reading the DSM-5

@froginahut7077 2 жыл бұрын

Y’all I need help. It’s about anxiety. I am going in to 7th grade and I am only 11 but turning 12 in September. I am also new. I’m thinking about so much stuff like I won’t get my period when everyone else does, I will get braces 3rd year of college, I won’t be able to drive until 3rd year of college, and generally getting made fun of. I’m so nervous and scared, can someone try to make me feel better?

@HeatherThomCounselling 3 жыл бұрын

LOL reading the DMS during our down time 😂

@psichologelina 3 жыл бұрын

As funny as it sounds, sometimes you have to, if you need to check something about the client's symptoms - it's a part of preparing for the sessions. I do that because remembering things from DSM-V or ICD-10 is not so simple - there is no way you could memorize the content very well. :)

@PrivatePracticeSkills 3 жыл бұрын

So true! But it's definitely not something I leisurely pull off the shelf in a state of boredom ;)

@HeatherThomCounselling 3 жыл бұрын

@@PrivatePracticeSkills exactly!!

@reishajack5561 3 жыл бұрын

Very accurate! lol

@PrivatePracticeSkills 3 жыл бұрын

@Smiles2U4Ever 2 ай бұрын

lol.. you'd be super fun to have as a therapist :)

@zachjohnson3035 2 жыл бұрын

Grad school and agency work reality was 100% accurate lol

@wealthyasamindframe1946 3 жыл бұрын

Unless you work with a bpd patients they will take you for an emotional rollercoaster ride .. Agency work is a tough. I don't know about anyone else but I really don't like cassi/locust scores.

@andrealudwig4160 Жыл бұрын

Can i ask how much you make? I'm debating between getting my masters vs. my psyd and don't know if it is worth it.

@aprilm1866 Жыл бұрын

She made a video about how she should have gotten her masters

@joan5734 Жыл бұрын

God you're so beautiful! Thanks for the video

@staciamj1 Жыл бұрын

Funny stuff.

@Mitchlb452 9 ай бұрын

3:30 Being in Private Practice, can't you set your own schedule? I'd imagine you wouldn't have to schedule clients so closely together....

@skionen1781 2 жыл бұрын

I imagine myself smoking a cigar pipe and listening patiently to others lol

@kimlec3592 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this, it put me right off ! 🤣😂🤣

@cookiemonster3824 2 жыл бұрын

Lost me at Reading a bunch of books every week😭

@viksaggu9085 3 жыл бұрын

Lots of non- billable hours lol

@catherinerichter8317 11 ай бұрын

hahahah LOL

@Wilbem01 3 жыл бұрын

The bathroom part!! So true!! 😂

@PrivatePracticeSkills 3 жыл бұрын

If I'm ever having trouble ending a session on time, my mind is usually thinking about the bathroom and it gives me motivation to set that boundary and come to a close. Especially while pregnant :)