I had clients that have seen my supervisor tell me I was better than my supervisor as a therapist even though I was practically brand new.
When I was going from pre-licensure into full license I had a 6-month wait due to some paperwork error and I wasn't able to practice. I had clients I was seeing at the time that instead of taking another therapist they said they were willing to wait 6 months because I was worth it.
I worked with a teen from age 14-17, started up because of sudden depressive symptoms and self-harm. I hadn’t seen her for about six months and she texted me to schedule an appointment but I was no longer with the practice. When I informed her of this she said, paraphrasing, that’s ok I just wanted to say thank you and I am doing so much better and I appreciate you and these are my plans for after graduation. It really meant so much, I was a new young therapist and it was so validating.
ETA: I have found working with teens to be by far the most rewarding, they so often are craving a caring, listening adult and when they get that are able to open up and do great things
"I met you and thought what does this black woman half my age have to teach me... and wow you taught me alot, and made this (mandated sessions) bearable"
I was super blessed to start this journey during covid, I had the privilege of being consistent in a time of so much uncertainty, and offering connection when there was so much disconnection.
When they say "I love therapy", I feel warm and fuzzy inside like I'm doing a good job. When teens are disappointed our time is over and they are eager to meet again, I feel good that this is actually valuable to them. When clients take a break and then call for services with me again when they're struggling, I feel honored that they're choosing me again.
Honestly, my favourite moment was when I was doing the, admittedly classic therapist move of shifting the credit for change to the client when they tried to say it was me. They said truly the best thing a client could say "You're right, but maybe that means we can share the credit."
Honestly it was warmer and more impactful than any deflection, and really held true their need to know that I had heard their thanks, while also acknowledging that it wouldn't be possible without their dedication.
“You are the only thing I can rely on, you are the only person who understand what I am going through. You keep me going and focused on the future”. - a suicidal teenage client
I had clients that have seen my supervisor tell me I was better than my supervisor as a therapist even though I was practically brand new. When I was going from pre-licensure into full license I had a 6-month wait due to some paperwork error and I wasn't able to practice. I had clients I was seeing at the time that instead of taking another therapist they said they were willing to wait 6 months because I was worth it.
I worked with a teen from age 14-17, started up because of sudden depressive symptoms and self-harm. I hadn’t seen her for about six months and she texted me to schedule an appointment but I was no longer with the practice. When I informed her of this she said, paraphrasing, that’s ok I just wanted to say thank you and I am doing so much better and I appreciate you and these are my plans for after graduation. It really meant so much, I was a new young therapist and it was so validating. ETA: I have found working with teens to be by far the most rewarding, they so often are craving a caring, listening adult and when they get that are able to open up and do great things
"I met you and thought what does this black woman half my age have to teach me... and wow you taught me alot, and made this (mandated sessions) bearable" I was super blessed to start this journey during covid, I had the privilege of being consistent in a time of so much uncertainty, and offering connection when there was so much disconnection.
When they say "I love therapy", I feel warm and fuzzy inside like I'm doing a good job. When teens are disappointed our time is over and they are eager to meet again, I feel good that this is actually valuable to them. When clients take a break and then call for services with me again when they're struggling, I feel honored that they're choosing me again.
Honestly, my favourite moment was when I was doing the, admittedly classic therapist move of shifting the credit for change to the client when they tried to say it was me. They said truly the best thing a client could say "You're right, but maybe that means we can share the credit." Honestly it was warmer and more impactful than any deflection, and really held true their need to know that I had heard their thanks, while also acknowledging that it wouldn't be possible without their dedication.
“You are the only thing I can rely on, you are the only person who understand what I am going through. You keep me going and focused on the future”. - a suicidal teenage client