After dropping off the boys at school I returned to my practicum site to fit in a few more hours. I helped with a new patient screening and did a PSSA. The woman I met with was very interesting. She reminded me of Margot Robbie from Barbie. It is common for people when they enter the program to wonder if they’re really going to get anything out of it. There are so many things that they feel they need to unpack and address and they don’t see themselves as being able to have much of a chance to do that in groups.

The thing about groups that people often don’t realize is that much of the therapeutic benefit involved actually comes from the experience and process of simply being in the group. Getting out of the house and being around others-but not for too long, having the chance to hear about other people’s struggles and difficulties, giving feedback to peers as well as receiving it, all of these things are beneficial to the group members. Coming to a place where you are accepted in your frailties is often the most impactful part.

After practicum I went straight to my comfy clothes to spend the day and evening on the couch with my computer. Thankfully I have not been too tired this time following the busier Thanksgiving holiday. I do miss the days of being able to focus more on the Christmas things and turning my attention to decorations, thoughts, and gifts. You wait an entire year for Christmas so I do tend to try to savor the season and enjoy it. This most recent paper is about ageism and promoting health in older adult populations.