The Dreaded Question
One of the very first questions asked in social interaction is: “so, what do you do for a living?” Well, as a mental health therapist, there are always pros and cons to answering this question and my internal dialogue looks something like this…
“Should I tell them? Ugh, I don’t want to get into it right now. Do they look like someone who is into therapy? Am I about to get an ear full about every therapy experience they have ever had or a friend has ever had? I really don’t want to get into the deep dark personal secrets. Today is not the day. Well, maybe they are also into it and will think it’s pretty cool and we can have an interesting conversation. But do I really want to talk about work right now? I mean, I love it but this is normal, they are going to think I’m crazy, or that my clients are crazy. I love my clients. I love their own unique crazy. Do I want to educate on mental health right now? Eh, screw it but please don’t ask THAT question. Or maybe do, I finally have my witty response. Alright ask THAT question”
I’ll be honest, I’m truly waiting to use my very witty response of “no, I get paid for that.” With that said, if we meet in person, please ask me. Help me to feel witty. Let me play off the stereotype.
The reality is, there is a giant misconception that all therapy is psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis gets its roots and foundation in Freudian psychology. We are talking old, school, back in the day, lie down on a couch, psychotherapy. It is a specific technique in therapy that requires unique training and licensure. It can be incredible for some yet it is not the only kind of therapy.
Now, circling back to THAT question and my witty response, no I’m not psychoanalyzing you because that’s not what I do and when I am working, I am getting paid. So at this moment I am observing, I am being a human and I am NOT psychoanalyzing.
