I love using song titles for my posts. It was gonna be ” Oops I Did It Again” by Britney Spears, but I just couldn’t go there. Besides, this Dr. John classic discusses time and lately I am all about time!
So why this song? I find myself dumbfounded by my inability to hold onto anything lately. I am so glad to have another birthday and get on with it. At least then I gain another year.
So where was the right place? Bryn Mawr College. Oh how I loved it there. I made amazing friends, was reignited with passion for my career, and learned so much about how to serve. My degree is Master of Social Service. It is unlike the typical Master of Social Work title. Bryn Mawr is distinguished in a myriad of ways, but in this case it distinguished itself by substituting service for work. It did make a world of difference. So I graduate and pass my licensing exam on the first try. Woohoo I am a licensed professional. I honestly would not have wanted to go anywhere else. I was accepted also at Penn, but I made the wise choice.
When was the wrong time? 1996. Now, there is nothing wrong with 1996. It was a perfectly fine year. This has to do with Pennsylvania state law. Just a couple of years after I become licensed, the stated decides to add another level of licensure. In order to practice therapy and get insurance reimbursement for services, you now have to get another license and get documented hours of supervision. Then you can take another exam and so on…
When I first heard about this, I was stunned. ” Are you kidding me?” However, I doubt that this recent situation could have been predicted or avoided. I have been working as a therapist for years and already have a license for doing something I did in the 1980s with just a Master’s Degree in Psychology. No license required then. Then was the right time.
So I was lucky enough to be grandfathered in when I wanted to return to work as a therapist. Cool, I thought. I liked my group practice and figured I would work there after I retired. Well, the owner sold the practice not long ago and I was less than pleased. The new regime was not to my liking ( putting it mildly), so I left. Little did I know this decision would come back to bite me now.
I discovered a few weeks ago that once I left my practice and exited the network, I cannot return without the LCSW. Do you think I was told about this? No. How about when I contacted the credentialing entity to notify them of my status? What was I told when I asked about resuming my practice? I was told that I would just reapply when I join another group. That was all. Not a word about my license.
Nadda.
This morning I heard that my appeal was denied. It is so tempting to say, okay I am going to remain retired. I could assume this is a sign that I am to remain on this couch with a new cat at a to be determined time. However I realize that it is not so simple. Those types of conclusions are erroneous. To be absolutely frank, I do not think licenses are necessary. Passing an exam does not make one a clinician. Many professionals are licensed and are anything but professional. What about driver’s licenses? How many licensed drivers should be off the road? Get my point.
So where is the spiritual part of this post? I could start a new blog for rants if I wanted. Well, for starters, writing is my therapy and I don’t need a license to blog ( yet!). Secondly, I know that such a twist of fate is somehow for my evolution. It was so perfectly orchestrated. I do not know how this will be for my betterment, but throwing a tantrum will not suffice. It is all about acceptance and forgiveness. It boils down to me forgiving myself for not being able to fix the unfixable. It is also about permitting myself to grieve the loss of autonomy that my credentialed status allowed me to enjoy. It is all about reinvention and loving the aspects of myself that are prone to self-doubt and defeatism. For the astrologers, let’s call it Pisces South Node. Victim central. I will not allow myself to live in Victim Central.
People make decisions regularly without all of the facts. Even HSPs who are highly intuitive don’t know everything. Who knew? Not me.
It happens. Shit happens. It and shit rhymes. I am losing it a little now. Won’t be the first time. But it is the right time.
To recap: Bryn Mawr good, 1996 bad.
If only.
Humor me: If you have been in a similar situation, do tell.
image credit, wikipedia.org
litebeing chronicles 
That really sucks Linda..Moving goal posts almost.. You have to just follow what your instincts are telling you Linda.. Do you want to study again for your Licence? or do you want to try something different?..
What ever you decide to do, I feel for you xx Love Sue xx
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Licencure stuff can soooo suck. When I became a therapist, there was no licensure here. The wonderful college where I had gotten my masters in spiritual psychology, was not accredited at the time I graduated, so when licensure became a thing, I had to get a whole other masters. Grrr. So I did that, did 3,000 more supervised hours to get independent license, etc. So that was good for about 30 years while I needed it. I just recently let my license go. I’m not taking insurance anymore, so I don’t really need it. No license needed here for life coaching, and of course, I made up SpiritWalks, so there is no paperwork needed for that. I totally hear you about stupid red tape. Maybe time for a change? Stress sucks. So sorry, Linda.
Blessings and Peace,
Mary
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Yes indeedy. Seems like you also got caught up in the credentialing drama, but it worked out in the end. I am still weighing my options and looking for guidance regarding next steps. peace, Linda
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That sounds awful. I can understand your anger. It is good that you give yourself time for venting and grieving.
After that, it seems that the options are either to get the missing licenses.
Or to throw the hands up in the air and ask, “Ok, universe, you have blocked all my open doors. Now, what the heck do you want me to do now?”
And then listen. Or wait for the answer to arrive somehow. From inside or outside.
Do you work with spirit guides or an inner voice? I imagine that there is a guide standing behind each of us, patiently waiting to be asked. They are bound by a contract and are only allowed to interfere or answer if we ask. Have you asked?
Your situation reminds me again of Margot Ridler’s situation, just before she threw her hands up the air and asked.
I know that it can be difficult to hear the answer of the inner voice or to get the nudges of guidance. It was difficult for me in a dead-end situation, when I still had too much of my own agenda running in my head. Then, I was not able to listen to inner guidance.
I hope you will ask. And I hope you will get an answer. If not from the inner voice then from signs, or viaTarot cards.
Hugs and blessings
Karin
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Hi Karin,
It is comforting to know you identify with my predicament. I have been asking my guides and do so regularly. And here I am. I have fewer agendas nowadays, as I am closer to embracing what really matters. I was gifted a free tarot reading via tarot.com, so perhaps some gems of wisdom will emerge.
Hugs, Linda
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I’ve known a few people who got around the licensing requirement by getting a free on line minister’s certification and being “pastoral counselors” which left them lots of room to do spiritual/life counseling of various sorts… It does sound kind of like you’re being called to something different, whether counseling a different way or taking a whole new path (that’s your journey to find 🙂 ).
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Hi Leigh,
I am not sure how I will proceed, but am continuing to look for signs as I adjust to my new “normal.”
So much has been taken from me, but I still endure and survive.
peace, Linda
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Oh wow Linda that is a blow and I can totally understand your rant…it doesn’t feel like a rant to me! The whole ‘everything happens for a reason’ can feel a bit trite when we’re faced with these things that really do impact our lives in a big way. When reading your words I was reminded of my student loans and how it’s all such a BS system. The rules, the bureaucracy (isn’t that funny, I typed it ‘bureaucrazy’ at first). In 5D there are no such rules and credentials! I don’t know if I am making any sense here, these are just my ramblings. Sending love! ❤ Aleya
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Yes everything happens for a reason, but Matt Kahn says we can love ourselves without self-talk that would not work with a 5 year old child in pain. Meaning telling myself it will all work out doesn’t help me now. bureaucrazy, I love it! In 5D perhaps there is no need for money either, so…. I do get what you are saying and my full rant would not be appropriate for my blog rating,lol! But thank you!
love, Linda
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Oof, Linda … those blindsides are stunning, so both the rant and allowing yourself the space to just feel it and be with it for a bit before moving into the next is wise (says she who has experienced the blindside-whammies!). We could surely have a vibrant conversation about these topics (over a nice glass of wine perhaps). 🙂 May the muck settle quickly and gracefully, and may the way be made clear. (Just watched the indie film The Sense of Sight … have you seen it?) xo Jamie
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Hi Jamie, thanks especially for this line: those blindsides are stunning, so both the rant and allowing yourself the space to just feel it and be with it for a bit before moving into the next is wise. I am not judging myself for my shock and sadness and anger. Frankly I am amazed how well I am taking it. Thanks for your support, and I have 2 bottles of red handy 🙂
Have not seen Sense of Sight, will google it. xo Linda
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Is there some other track of therapist work you can do, or social services, or service? Sounds like the Universe is telling you to take a different direction.
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Not sure if the Universe is telling me to do the work to get the higher level of license or to forgo the license altogether, or some other path. Still feeling blindsided and working on adjusting to this new reality. Thanks Julie for your guidance.
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God Bryn Mawr is gorgeous! I should have gotten my MSW there. I am confused about this so help me out, you have your LCSW right? You were licensed? Because they cannot unlicense you even if you stopped paying dues.
This sounds so stressful and I am so sorry. We can figure something out……licensees practice after all, while they are awaiting license.
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Hi Cindy,
I have my LSW. Still do, never lapsed. They require a LCSW now but I was grandfathered in with the Insurance companies. But since I left, they won’t let me back in until I get the LCSW. They said once you leave the network, the grandfather clause no longer applies. Bryn Mawr is gorgeous. Where did you go to school?
Thanks for reaching out Cindy. I appreciate your support.
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I did my undergrad at UCSD and grad school at SDSU. Sorry about this. Sounds like a major hassle, But you will get the LCSW if you want it. They have really great online license prep courses now. My daughter’s doing one. It is very efficient. Still, easy for me to say. I would hate having to do it again, so you have my full empathy.
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