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After working in the mental health field for 15 years, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on the many places where I’ve practiced as a clinician. What strikes me the most is how often I found myself in environments that seemed to value productivity over client care. Whether it was the administrative staff, the directors, or the owners, there was always a sense that I was just another cog in the machine—overworked, undervalued, and easily replaced. And it wasn’t just me. My clients felt like numbers too.
Staying for the Clients
Looking back, I often wonder why I stayed in these environments where I felt so expendable. The answer is simple: I stayed for my clients. Despite everything, I stayed because I believed in making a difference in their lives. The helper inside me, the one that drove me to become a clinician in the first place, kept me going. I told myself that no matter what I had to endure, it was worth it if it meant my clients could make progress.
When I talk to other clinicians, I realize I’m not alone in this experience. So many of us have been conditioned to endure toxic work environments, all in the name of helping others. It’s an institutionalized mindset that many of us fall into. At Carolina Counseling Services, when a new contractor joins us, one of the first conversations we have is about “taking off the cape.” It’s something we all have to learn—whether directly or indirectly.
What the Cape Really Represents
By “cape,” I don’t just mean the savior complex, where we feel like we have to be the one to solve all of our clients’ problems. It’s deeper than that. The cape represents the belief that we, as clinicians, are exempt from taking care of ourselves. That we should sacrifice our own well-being for the sake of others. It took me years to realize this, but once I did, everything changed.
For the first time in my career, I found myself in an environment where I felt truly seen. As a contractor at CCS, I was in control of my schedule, my time, and my workload. I had the freedom to focus solely on my clients during work hours and be fully present with my family afterward. I knew exactly how many clients I needed to see to support my family financially, and I had the flexibility to make that happen without burning out.
Practicing What I Preach
This was a game-changer for me. For the first time, I could practice what I preach. I often tell my clients that they can’t pour from an empty cup—that self-care is essential. But like so many clinicians, I wasn’t taking my own advice. That all changed when I joined CCS. Suddenly, I wasn’t just surviving—I was thriving.
A Model That Works
Now, as part-owner of CCS, my passion is helping other clinicians experience this same transformation. I’ve seen so many talented therapists leave the field due to burnout. Others remain, but they’re barely able to do the meaningful work they set out to do. At CCS, we’ve made it our mission to create an environment where clinicians can thrive, not just survive.
Our focus is simple: we take care of the clinicians so they can take care of their clients. It’s a model that works, and it’s one I’m deeply committed to continuing. Because when we, as clinicians, take off the cape, we can truly show up—not just for our clients, but for ourselves too. And that’s the kind of care that changes lives.
