4 answers
Alicia
Student
Clinton, Maryland
1
Question
Asked
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As a therapist what are some of the hardest things to do on a daily basis
I am a 15-year-old freshman looking to be a therapist, and one day even own my very own business. I already started looking into which colleges have the major that I need in order to qualify as a therapist. #therapist #physical-therapist
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4 answers
Jacob Taylor
Production Manager
523
Answers
Stafford, Virginia
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
It's wonderful that you're aspiring to become a therapist at such a young age and considering owning your own business in the future. Being a therapist is a rewarding profession, but it does come with its challenges. Here are some of the hardest things therapists often face on a daily basis:
1. **Emotional Resilience**: Therapists often deal with clients who are experiencing intense emotions, trauma, or difficult life situations. Maintaining emotional resilience and providing support can be emotionally taxing.
2. **Listening Intently**: Active listening is a crucial skill for therapists. It can be challenging to give your full attention to clients, especially when you have a busy schedule and multiple clients in a day.
3. **Empathy without Absorption**: While empathy is essential, therapists must avoid absorbing their clients' emotions and issues. Striking the right balance between empathy and professional distance can be challenging.
4. **Setting Boundaries**: Establishing and maintaining clear boundaries with clients is essential. Therapists need to avoid overextending themselves or becoming too involved in clients' lives.
5. **Handling Difficult Cases**: Some clients may present with complex issues, challenging behaviors, or resistance to therapy. Finding effective ways to work with these clients can be demanding.
6. **Self-Care**: Therapists must prioritize self-care to prevent burnout. Balancing your own well-being while caring for others can be a delicate juggling act.
7. **Continual Learning**: The field of therapy is constantly evolving. Therapists need to stay updated on the latest research and therapeutic techniques to provide the best care for their clients.
8. **Ethical Dilemmas**: Therapists encounter ethical dilemmas, such as maintaining confidentiality, informed consent, and ensuring the welfare of clients. Upholding ethical standards can be challenging.
9. **Paperwork and Documentation**: Therapists spend a significant amount of time on paperwork, including session notes, treatment plans, and insurance documentation.
10. **Business Aspects**: If you aspire to own your therapy practice, you'll also need to manage the business side, including finances, marketing, and administrative tasks.
To prepare for a career in therapy, consider gaining experience in the field through volunteering, internships, or part-time work. It will give you valuable insights into the daily challenges and rewards of the profession. Additionally, as you explore colleges and majors, look for programs that offer a strong foundation in psychology or counseling, as these are typically required for becoming a therapist.
Remember, being a therapist can be incredibly fulfilling, as you have the opportunity to make a positive impact on people's lives. The challenges you face will also contribute to your growth as a professional. Keep your passion for helping others alive and continue to pursue your goals in the field of therapy.
1. **Emotional Resilience**: Therapists often deal with clients who are experiencing intense emotions, trauma, or difficult life situations. Maintaining emotional resilience and providing support can be emotionally taxing.
2. **Listening Intently**: Active listening is a crucial skill for therapists. It can be challenging to give your full attention to clients, especially when you have a busy schedule and multiple clients in a day.
3. **Empathy without Absorption**: While empathy is essential, therapists must avoid absorbing their clients' emotions and issues. Striking the right balance between empathy and professional distance can be challenging.
4. **Setting Boundaries**: Establishing and maintaining clear boundaries with clients is essential. Therapists need to avoid overextending themselves or becoming too involved in clients' lives.
5. **Handling Difficult Cases**: Some clients may present with complex issues, challenging behaviors, or resistance to therapy. Finding effective ways to work with these clients can be demanding.
6. **Self-Care**: Therapists must prioritize self-care to prevent burnout. Balancing your own well-being while caring for others can be a delicate juggling act.
7. **Continual Learning**: The field of therapy is constantly evolving. Therapists need to stay updated on the latest research and therapeutic techniques to provide the best care for their clients.
8. **Ethical Dilemmas**: Therapists encounter ethical dilemmas, such as maintaining confidentiality, informed consent, and ensuring the welfare of clients. Upholding ethical standards can be challenging.
9. **Paperwork and Documentation**: Therapists spend a significant amount of time on paperwork, including session notes, treatment plans, and insurance documentation.
10. **Business Aspects**: If you aspire to own your therapy practice, you'll also need to manage the business side, including finances, marketing, and administrative tasks.
To prepare for a career in therapy, consider gaining experience in the field through volunteering, internships, or part-time work. It will give you valuable insights into the daily challenges and rewards of the profession. Additionally, as you explore colleges and majors, look for programs that offer a strong foundation in psychology or counseling, as these are typically required for becoming a therapist.
Remember, being a therapist can be incredibly fulfilling, as you have the opportunity to make a positive impact on people's lives. The challenges you face will also contribute to your growth as a professional. Keep your passion for helping others alive and continue to pursue your goals in the field of therapy.
Hi Jacob, I think there may be some confusion. The student is asking about physical therapy, not mental health therapy. Although I'm sure some of this advice is still applicable, could you please update your answer?
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Hailiang Zheng
Physical therapist
2
Answers
Pomona, California
Updated
Hailiang’s Answer
To me, the hardest thing is to deal with the fact that there are always some patients who don't follow my home exercise plan, which leads to poor rehab outcomes. For physical therapy, patients cooperation is the absolutely crucial thing for success, but the reality is that not everyone realizes how important doing exercise is.
Another frustrating thing is dealing with insurance companies, especially HMO payers.
Overall, being a PT require a lot of patience and optimism.
Another frustrating thing is dealing with insurance companies, especially HMO payers.
Overall, being a PT require a lot of patience and optimism.
Donna Calvert, PT, PhD
physical therapist
48
Answers
Mission, Kansas
Updated
Donna’s Answer
PT's can work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health, school systems, etc. In each setting, it was extremely rewarding to work with patients to achieve their highest level of independence, improve their function or decrease their pain. A typical day had regularly scheduled patients for the PT to see, either for an initial evaluation or ongoing treatment. There is always the paperwork/computer charting aspect of the job and that can be exasperating some days, but it is necessary to do that well so someone else can step in to work with your patient if you can't. You typically don't get breaks and must keep working until all patients are seen whether or not your standard workday has ended. It requires dedication.
If you intend to own a business, I think the hardest part of that is dealing with personnel issues and those take a lot of your time.
Look at the American Physical Therapy Association website for information on schools offering a DPT degree in the US and then investigate the undergraduate degree you need to be a viable candidate for selection into PT school. Good luck!
If you intend to own a business, I think the hardest part of that is dealing with personnel issues and those take a lot of your time.
Look at the American Physical Therapy Association website for information on schools offering a DPT degree in the US and then investigate the undergraduate degree you need to be a viable candidate for selection into PT school. Good luck!
Donna, excellent answer. As a treating physical therapist, I have found the profession to be full of opportunity. As Donna stated PT's work in a variety of settings, I believe you can find a setting that values you as a person. You can find or create a company that inspires a work-life balance. We can not give to our patients every day if we are not able to care for ourselves. Alicia, enjoy whatever you choose to do in life.
Linda Thunn, PT, DPT
Lauren Ellis Triemstra
Physical Therapist Assistant
19
Answers
Joliet, Illinois
Updated
Lauren Ellis’s Answer
Alicia- Great work so far. You're already doing the right things to start your future as a therapist! Keep it up!
What are some of the hardest things to do on a daily basis?:
The job is physically demanding. It can get exhausting to do and I've felt sore before. You'll need to be cautious of your own body mechanics to keep your body safe and healthy in order to do the work long-term. Fortunately, because of the knowledge I have gained as a therapist, I can treat myself :) I know which exercises I need to do to respond to or prevent injury which continuously proves helpful.
As a healthcare provider, we are constantly working with other people. You will come across people that have difficult personalities that can make your job tough. Maybe they're loud or obnoxious and you have to find a way to work around this. Or they don't put in effort at therapy or at home and they're not making improvements. We're often treating people who are in pain and they may be a bit more cranky or likely to lash out rudely at you. All of these situations present their own challenges that will need to be handled professionally, objectively, and with grace. This will take time and experience. To get started you can observe/shadow in a PT setting or look for a job as a rehab tech/PT aide to start gaining valuable experience before you get to school and see how other therapists handle these situations in the real world.
Observe/shadow with a therapist
What are some of the hardest things to do on a daily basis?:
The job is physically demanding. It can get exhausting to do and I've felt sore before. You'll need to be cautious of your own body mechanics to keep your body safe and healthy in order to do the work long-term. Fortunately, because of the knowledge I have gained as a therapist, I can treat myself :) I know which exercises I need to do to respond to or prevent injury which continuously proves helpful.
As a healthcare provider, we are constantly working with other people. You will come across people that have difficult personalities that can make your job tough. Maybe they're loud or obnoxious and you have to find a way to work around this. Or they don't put in effort at therapy or at home and they're not making improvements. We're often treating people who are in pain and they may be a bit more cranky or likely to lash out rudely at you. All of these situations present their own challenges that will need to be handled professionally, objectively, and with grace. This will take time and experience. To get started you can observe/shadow in a PT setting or look for a job as a rehab tech/PT aide to start gaining valuable experience before you get to school and see how other therapists handle these situations in the real world.
Lauren Ellis recommends the following next steps: