What is it like being a therapist?

[Anonymous]

I have absolutely zero interest in other people’s problems, but I’m slowing starting to realize that being a self-employed therapist might just be the best job ever.

I have an acquaintance who is not too bright (has a BA in Visual Arts from a mid-tier state school) who went to some CUNY school for a Master’s in Social Work. She charges $250/hr to listen to rich New Yorkers complain about their problems and is usually fully booked. She doesn’t have to deal with co-worker/employee/manager BS because she’s self-employed, can schedule her appointments around her kids’ schedules, works completely remotely, and has consistently made a profit of $200k/year for the past few years.

This is way better than any lawyer or project manager job. Are there any therapists on here? Is the job really the cushy lay-up I’m making it out to be? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It’s high burnout (even when it’s rich New Yorkers) and frankly it don’t sound like a great fit for you.

[Anonymous]

There's a reason why therapists have their own therapist.

[Anonymous]

It’s high burnout and it’s also very hard for most to drum up enough clients to be profitable.

There is a ton of competition in nyc. I know some people who are self employed therapists there and most are well connected which is how they get clients (two of the more successful ones I know came from the nyc private school set) or they put in a lot of time working for a big hospital building those connections.

[Anonymous]

I am a teacher and would say look into the career. We constantly hear about kids in crisis and how they can’t get in to see a therapist because there is a shortage.

[Anonymous]

Having worked in oncology for a long time I can tell you that engaging with people in turmoil is hard. Yes, there are differences between therapy and oncology, but there is also heavy overlap. People facing something big in their lives. It takes a toll to interface with that for hours a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a teacher and would say look into the career. We constantly hear about kids in crisis and how they can’t get in to see a therapist because there is a shortage.

OP here. I’m a teacher right now and this is part of the reason why I’m considering being a therapist.

I’m so tired of being blamed for societal issues that are beyond my control. I feel like therapy is frequently the same way, where therapists are expected to fix everything in society — the phrase “go to therapy” seems way too common these days and is just a band aid for societal shifts. But it seems like a lucrative grift, and one I’m happy to jump on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having worked in oncology for a long time I can tell you that engaging with people in turmoil is hard. Yes, there are differences between therapy and oncology, but there is also heavy overlap. People facing something big in their lives. It takes a toll to interface with that for hours a day.

OP here. I’m a teacher, so I’m used to this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a teacher and would say look into the career. We constantly hear about kids in crisis and how they can’t get in to see a therapist because there is a shortage.

OP here. I’m a teacher right now and this is part of the reason why I’m considering being a therapist.

I’m so tired of being blamed for societal issues that are beyond my control. I feel like therapy is frequently the same way, where therapists are expected to fix everything in society — the phrase “go to therapy” seems way too common these days and is just a band aid for societal shifts. But it seems like a lucrative grift, and one I’m happy to jump on.

It's not a grift. There is a benefit to talking things out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having worked in oncology for a long time I can tell you that engaging with people in turmoil is hard. Yes, there are differences between therapy and oncology, but there is also heavy overlap. People facing something big in their lives. It takes a toll to interface with that for hours a day.

OP here. I’m a teacher, so I’m used to this.

LOL of course you're a teacher.

[Anonymous]

If I’m going to pay that much out of pocket, I’d go to a psychologist not someone with much less training.

Ps, eventually nys will join that multi state compact so you will be competing with virtual therapists from every state. That will drive down prices.

[Anonymous]

You sound awful. "Lucrative grift"??? Zero interest in other people's problems? Ugh.

OP, you have a grass is greener view; from your perspective, it seems easy. But who the hell would want you as their therapist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound awful. "Lucrative grift"??? Zero interest in other people's problems? Ugh.

OP, you have a grass is greener view; from your perspective, it seems easy. But who the hell would want you as their therapist?

If she had one session with me as a client, she'd go back to teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I’m going to pay that much out of pocket, I’d go to a psychologist not someone with much less training.

Ps, eventually nys will join that multi state compact so you will be competing with virtual therapists from every state. That will drive down prices.

Np. What is nys?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I’m going to pay that much out of pocket, I’d go to a psychologist not someone with much less training.

Ps, eventually nys will join that multi state compact so you will be competing with virtual therapists from every state. That will drive down prices.

Np. What is nys?

New York State