I recently took a job as a school based therapist. Doing therapy in a conference room? 25-min sessions? What!? Coming from the world of private practice, with the 45 min-session, and let’s just say not having session interrupted by school bells, or God forbid … the fire alarm, it has taken some time adjusting to. One thing I’m loving is the client population. TEENS! I used to work in the school system back in my early 20s but that was with elementary aged kids as a special-ed paraeducator; It was a much different role to be in with students.
Now, in a high school, I’m the adult that is pulling kids out of their classes to do therapy. Some of my friends had therapists in high school, but I think it’s safe to say that they didn’t go to therapy session in the middle of their Honors Chemistry course. It’s incredible the way these teens can come do therapy in the middle of their school day, talk about really heavy issues, and then wrap themselves back up to re-enter the classroom with their peers. My students are absolutely incredible. Their strength, courage, adaptability, and trust inspires me.
Today, I reflect on how privileged I am to be in a position to help these young men and women. They are quite literally, awesome.
Robin S. Smith, MS, LCMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in clinical practice in Bethesda MD, and specializes in relationship issues for couples, families, and individuals, for improved quality of life. His clinical specialties include: transition to parenthood for new and expecting parents, infidelity, sex and intimacy issues, premarital counseling, and trauma. Robin has given talks to various groups including hospital administrators, graduate students, therapists, and child birth educators. He is the primary contributor to The Couple and Family Clinic Blog.
Robin S. Smith, MS, LCMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in clinical practice in Bethesda MD. As an MFT, he specializes in relationship issues for couples, families, and individuals, for improved quality of life. His areas of expertise include: transition to parenthood for new and expecting parents, infidelity, sex and intimacy issues, premarital counseling, and trauma. Robin has given talks to various groups including hospital administrators, graduate students, fellow psychotherapists, and child birth educators. He is the primary contributor to The Couple and Family Clinic Blog.
