I'm not sure if talking about this here can really help much because I understand that this is a very personal decision that needs to be decided by the person who knows me best (which is hopefully me). But since I've been struggling with this for several months or longer now, I wanted to give talking about it a go just to see if anything comes of it. If it helps at all, I will continue to be forever thankful to this forum. Anyway, here's the situation:
I used to be a therapist. Long story short, I got fired. I made a thread about it a while back. This was at least a couple years ago.
Since then, I've been working as a piano teacher, piano accompanist, and self-published author, which has totaled to an adequate income. Unfortunately, my accompanist job, which I've had for about seven years is coming to end at the end of this year. It's a long story why, and that isn't relevant anyway. But without that income, I know will no longer make enough money.
There are three job prospects I'm considering:
1. Crisis Counselor.
Pros:
I have two years of experiences as one.
I enjoyed it very much.
I would make enough money.
Cons:
I would have to quit teaching piano. I love teaching piano very much. My students are primarily special needs, and that's part of why I find it so fulfilling.
I had a lot disciplinary issues as a crisis counselor with supervisors telling me that I wasn't "saying the right things." It never got to the point of being fired, but it was the reason I quit.
I wouldn't be working with children. I much prefer working with children.
2. ABA Therapist
Pros:
I have experience at this as well.
The hours are opposite to piano teaching so I could continue teaching.
I would be working with children.
I would make enough money.
Cons:
I would be working 10-16 hours a day most days. I'm not sure if I can handle that emotionally and worry that it could lead to a relapse.
3. Child Welfare Social Worker
Pros:
This is the job I've always wanted and the reason I attended five years of college.
I would still be working with children, to an extent.
This would make the most money of all.
Cons:
I would have to quit teaching piano. In addition to the reasons mentioned above, I have possibly exaggerated guilt about leaving students that I've been teaching for many years.
I have possibly irrational anxiety about social workers because the conflict I had that led me to be fired as a therapist was with a licensed clinical social worker.
Any thoughts are appreciated. I've never been so undecided in my life. Typically, I just do whatever comes to mind first. I'm as impulsive as they come.
Also, this is assuming I can get any of these jobs. The ABA therapist job is easy to get because of the high demand, the crisis counselor job I've already applied to and am waiting to hear back, and I haven't applied to the social worker position yet.
I used to be a therapist. Long story short, I got fired. I made a thread about it a while back. This was at least a couple years ago.
Since then, I've been working as a piano teacher, piano accompanist, and self-published author, which has totaled to an adequate income. Unfortunately, my accompanist job, which I've had for about seven years is coming to end at the end of this year. It's a long story why, and that isn't relevant anyway. But without that income, I know will no longer make enough money.
There are three job prospects I'm considering:
1. Crisis Counselor.
Pros:
I have two years of experiences as one.
I enjoyed it very much.
I would make enough money.
Cons:
I would have to quit teaching piano. I love teaching piano very much. My students are primarily special needs, and that's part of why I find it so fulfilling.
I had a lot disciplinary issues as a crisis counselor with supervisors telling me that I wasn't "saying the right things." It never got to the point of being fired, but it was the reason I quit.
I wouldn't be working with children. I much prefer working with children.
2. ABA Therapist
Pros:
I have experience at this as well.
The hours are opposite to piano teaching so I could continue teaching.
I would be working with children.
I would make enough money.
Cons:
I would be working 10-16 hours a day most days. I'm not sure if I can handle that emotionally and worry that it could lead to a relapse.
3. Child Welfare Social Worker
Pros:
This is the job I've always wanted and the reason I attended five years of college.
I would still be working with children, to an extent.
This would make the most money of all.
Cons:
I would have to quit teaching piano. In addition to the reasons mentioned above, I have possibly exaggerated guilt about leaving students that I've been teaching for many years.
I have possibly irrational anxiety about social workers because the conflict I had that led me to be fired as a therapist was with a licensed clinical social worker.
Any thoughts are appreciated. I've never been so undecided in my life. Typically, I just do whatever comes to mind first. I'm as impulsive as they come.
Also, this is assuming I can get any of these jobs. The ABA therapist job is easy to get because of the high demand, the crisis counselor job I've already applied to and am waiting to hear back, and I haven't applied to the social worker position yet.
Last edited:
