Are there any therapists on this board?

LexiPlexi

Hi Ladies,

I have my own practice and DH and I are about to TTC. I am wondering how your clients responded to your being pregnant. I have this crazy fear that they'll be uncomfortable with me being noticeably pregnant. My sister once joked about having the baby sign a confidentiality form, and it started all my worrying.

Did you work throughout your entire pregnancy? If not, when did you stop? 

(to anyone wondering why I'm putting any thought into this at all,  it's VERY normal for clients to judge you based on what you're wearing, if you have a wedding ring on, if you have kids, etc. so I'm assuming that sort of judgment won't stop just because I'm pregnant.) 

Myaflowers

I'm a therapist. I work with children and adolescents. The kids and teenagers were all very excited for me, and some of the kids had some really cute comments. The parents of my clients were mostly happy for me but some were a bit anxious about their children having to transition to another therapist while I was out. That was the only type of negative reaction I got. I worked through the Friday before I had LO on a Sunday. I had set up all my clients to see other therapists and/or their psychiatrist (I work in a doctors' office) while I was out. To be honest, I lost quite a few clients when I returned because they either opted to stay with the new therapist or dropped out of treatment in my absence. I was out for 9.5 weeks.

Lilly&Co

I am and work in a College Counseling center and then teach in the Psychology department.

I am having my 4th child in 4 weeks. 

vacsx2

I was a patient dealing with infertility when my therapist got pregnant. She waited as long as possible to address it with me and did it in such a way that I felt completely comfortable continuing my work with her. After our discussion, she was at complete ease and it put me at ease.

MelissaMiso

I have a part time private practice. Most of my clients I had worked with a long time before getting pregnant so they reacted positively. The social worker who filled in for me was someone that some of them knew already so they were comfortable with my absence. I worked until my last month bc I was really having trouble with the stairs in my office which are unusually steep and then returned a month after. I now work full time at a drug rehab inpatient. The clients are there for such short periods of time it won't likely have much impact on them if we get pregnant again.

LexiPlexi

Thank you so much for the responses ladies! I shared these posts with DH and we both agree that it might be best for me to stop once I am visibly pregnant. 

I don't think I'm strong enough to handle their possible negative reactions. I don't have security or coworkers and I have some group sessions that end pretty late (like 9pm). And the idea of being that vulnerable is pretty scary.  

It never occurred to me that there might be positive reactions that could be equally uncomfortable. But I would also have to prepare myself for gifts and belly touching... Which further supports my decision to stop working as soon as I start showing.  

My clients usually come for 10-15 weeks so I'm hoping I can schedule a smooth exit that won't negatively affect anyone. 

@CK2MD, thank you for the offer. If I have any other questions I'll definitely PM you!

Thanks again ladies!

Bella427

I'm a counselor.  The hardest part of being pregnant was morning sickness.  Of course I didn't tell my clients I was pregnant until I was further along, but I did have to run out of a session to barf a couple of times- mortifying.  I waited until I was probably 5 months to disclose.  One client said, "Oh, I just thought you were getting fat."   I was very concerned about one client who had lost a young daughter.  She was thrilled for me and gave me a onesie during our last session together.  I lied and told her I didn't know the gender because I felt terrible telling her I was having a little girl.  Everyone handled it pretty well, overall though!

Bella427

Oh, and I worked until I was about 7 months pregnant (it was a 2nd, evening job).  I had enough time to transition clients out before I left.  Now I just do career counseling.  It's less emotionally taxing for me.  I'd love to go back to therapy when my kids are a little older.  Best of luck to you!

DTNZ4Ever

I'm a therapist and work with adults with intellectual disabilities. This is my second pregnancy while being a therapist. I waited until after 20 weeks to tell my clients (many I've seen for 5-8 years so it very long term). I had a plan as to whom of my coworkers they would see while on leave. Many of them knew their fill in therapist. I have a few who decided to take a break on therapy while I'm on leave they tend to be my everyother week or monthly clients so they may only miss a few sessions. They were all very happy for me. A few we had to address their issues with not having children of their own but that was always an on going concern. A few tried to touch my belly but as with anyone you need to set strict boundaries not to touch because once pregnant everyone feels like they can touch you not just clients. I'll work until the day I give birth as I did last time around. I'll notify my back ups and they will inform my clients of my leave. My clients become protective of me when pregnant so I was never concerned with my safety. I did loose a couple of clients last time since they preferred their new therapist many had a count down until my return.

LexiPlexi

@CK2MD, You didn't scare me, I'm just a worrywart. haha. I offer groups for court referred anger management, batters intervention, and I also have clients that are struggling with everyday challenges. I understand your population is uniquely challenging and not at all like mine.

@Bella427, That would be mortifying! I'll cross all my fingers and toes that I can make it through my sessions without barfing!

@DTNZ4Ever, That is my second option. We've recently talked about waiting until after 20 weeks to hand off the more challenging groups to the therapist who will be replacing me after I go on leave. And then I'd notify my remaining clients. With this option, I would work part-time from 20-35 weeks pregnant. I'm comfortable with this option because I think I'd have more positive responses and may only struggle with boundary issues rather than safety issues. 

Thank you so much for all the responses ladies!