What is not encouraging, and in fact makes me want to get straight up biblical with an Oreo McFlurry, is the fact that the licensing laws are different in every single pissing state.
Most people would say, "Big deal. So get licensed in another state," to which I would respond with a gracious invitation to get bent.
The reason this is bothering me is that I feel like I need to figure out where I'm going to live/practice pretty darn soon.
I've decided to create a spreadsheet (you heard me) to try and keep the requirements straight.
For example, in some states, you need 1,500 hours of supervision and 2,000 hours of direct client contact. In others, you only need 500 hours of supervision and 200 hours of client contact. In one state, you need 3,000 hours of supervision, 1,500 hours of client contact, to sacrifice your first-born to the sun god Ra and to only eat pine nuts on the 3rd Wednesday of every other month while watching Wings reruns (and I'll let you guess which state).
And even then, it just ain't that straight-forward.
So, my plan is to choose the states I think I'm most likely to make my permanent home after graduation and weigh their pros and cons.
Here goes (and please don't be offended if I don't mention your state because there are some I prefer to loathe from a distance):
Illinois (Chicago or a suburb of)
- Closer to my family - P
- Closer to my baseball team - P
- I have many good friends in the Chicago area - P
- I hate their weather like a WalMart that only sells mayonnaise and Funyuns - C
- Whole mess of music/arts/cultural events - P
- No Chick-Fil-A that I know of
- Live closer to an airport - P
- Live further from fresh seafood - C
- Lived here most of my life - P/C
- Closer to my family - P
- Harder to be successful in a small town and that's most of Indiana - C
- Back in the land of show choir and marching band! - P
- I already know where the Chick-Fil-As are - P
- Unless I've grossly misinterpreted the law, it appears to be less complicated to get licensed here - P
- I have a lot of friends in NYC - P
- Butt-load of music/arts/cultural opportunities nearby - P
- Pretty damn expensive to live in the city - C
- The taxes are lower in Scarsdale, according to Ross from Friends - P
- Well, I'm already here, so... - P
- Good friends live in Winston - P
- I hear nice things about Asheville? - P
- While I like NC, I can't say I see myself living here long-term - C
- Interested in the Pacific NW - P
- Surrounded by nature - P/C
- Crunchier, more granola environment that I enjoy - P
- I will most likely be the chunkiest person there - C
- Rains a whole damn lot - P/C
- I saw this episode of No Reservations when Anthony Bourdain visited this awesome looking doughnut shop in Portland, and I really want to go there! - P
- Looks pretty good in Sleepless In Seattle
Or, if you would like to steer me away from a previously mentioned state/city, shout it out. I love me some strong opinions, especially those founded on food or television.
*States with large bugs/lizards need not apply
27 comments:
midwest seems toooo cooolllldddd, but then again, i'm a california native, so I am a wimp in the cold!
maybe you need to hop a visit to a couple of the places and see if you get an AH HA moment!
Short of the sacrificial offerings... I actually like living in California. And despite what everyone is saying, soon it will be ok here... especially since everyone is moving away... I have 2 family members and 4 friends who are either licensed MFTs or are finishing their 3000 hours! LOL. It's not so bad here! It rarely snows (in the central valley), you lived within a few hours of the beach and Stanislaus County (where Modesto is located) is trying to become a Veteran Memorial County... which means that there will be a MAJOR need for therapists...
I lived in the midwest for a little, and all I'll say is nooooo thank you.
But I've visited Washington several times.. I'm in love with it. It's a gorgeous state.
First! I love Elf.
2nd. Come on back to Indiana! You can move to Anderson and we can be BFFs. Though, we don't have a Chick Fil A, which is weird since the district mgr of Chick Fil A was my neighbor. But still. I am much more awesome than waffle fries.
But if you choose Oregon, I will understand. Cuz I would totally give my right ovary to live there. I love it so much I got married there. So yeah...Oregon or Indiana. Or I stop reading your blog.
(That's a lie.)
I'm sure, and I confirmed it online, that there is a chick fil'a in IL. There is one in Racine, WI, near Chicago (though...not really that near, to be fair), and there are two along the high way toward Springfield.
Also, most of my mom's family lives in different parts of IL and they all seem to like it. It's not far from IN, if you ever want to come back.
ummmm california! hello!!! plus we're all jacked up over here and need MAAAAAJOR mental help.... cha-ching!!! plus...chik fil a's everywhere...its like heaven, only better
I'm not here to b.s. you. Stay far away from Alabama. I love my state! It has that beautiful red earth, wonderful clear skies, and it stays mostly warm but gets cold in the winter time, just with no snow (which I LOVE!). But we have rather large creatures here and some can be in your neighbor's house. I've known people who have 4 or 5 large iguanas in their house (yea there was a "Lizard Room" in their house!). Plus with every area having a local legend (the "turtle the size of a vw bug lives in the lake" type thing) it's best to stay away if you don't like there weird. But it's the perfect for me! Good luck hometown huntin!
OMG NY NY NY NY NY NY NY NY NY !!!!!
If you havent guessed... being a Brooklyn Native, and living in New York my whole life (by choice) i absolutely love the state and city. and, according to me... there just isnt any other place to live. Ok, so the choice is yours but here is a little bit of info about NY.
The reason the prices are higher in the city is because ywhat you are REALLY paying for is the life style. Think about it... its 2am and u've got a hankering for cookies... you can go online and have a dozen delivered fresh directly to your apartment. There is ALWAYS some sort of thing that is going on to tickle your fancy... or you can just shut urself in ur apartment for a little while if you so choose... and watch friends. Now... its a little hectic and there is ALWAYS this air of urgency and hustle and bustle... personally, i feed off of that energy, and love it. Some people find it overwhelming. Now... here is another option as far as living in NY.
You can move upstate. I currently live by West Point and I absolutely love it. (well... currently i live in iraq, but that is a different story). Now, if you move upstate I would recommend the Hudson Valley/Dutchess County. I dislike Orange and Ulster counties, but thats just me. Westchester is closer to the city, but its still kind of expensive.... although White Plains has more of a city like vibe. The advantages of living in the hudson valley are the fact that you can hop on the Metro North and boom, an hour and a half later you are in the city... which is why a ton of ppl live upstate but work in the city. The Hudson Valley, while at a slower pace than the city... has tons of historic places, natural parks, hiking trails, and stuff like that to visit. Beacon, where I grew up has a world famous art museum, the Dia Museum. Main Street there has this small town chic feel, its got a restaurant for any taste you may have (Thai, Italian, Pizza, an AMAZING coffee shop), and a ton of little shops and stuff. Newburgh, which is right across the river (and they have a ferry that runs during rush hour) has a nice waterfront with a string of bars, restaurants, and clubs, so it has a pretty decent nightlife. Poughkeepsie also has a pretty decent night life and a lot of big acts that come to the Mid Hudson Civic Center. They also have this AMAZING walkway park that just opened which is basically a walkway over the Hudson River. Anyway, All three of those places have waterfront parks and there are a ton more places to hang out along the river. Kingston which is about a half hour to 45 minutes north of Poughkeepsie has a pretty decent nightlife also. Oooh I forgot... all four seasons.. you cant beat that. and Ppl migrate from the city to come and look at the fall foliage... which i have to admit is B-E-A-U-tiful. Ohhh yeah, and there is the Hudson Valley Wine Trail, which is a bunch of Vineyards where Wine is made right here in the HV! I actually live right smack dab in the middle of the Hudson Valley Wine Trail in Marlboro, NY. There are Orchards, Farms, and Vineyards right on my jogging path. Anyway, I Love it, and I think you would too. Here, these resources might be helpful. So while it is not DIRECTLY in the city, the city is a train ride away, and the cost of living is a lot cheaper.
-http://www.hudsonvalley.org/
-http://www.hudsonvalleyliving.com/
-http://www.hvmag.com/
ooh... i just remembered... the only back thing....
i dont think i have ever seens a Chic-Fil-A in NY =\
Sir Natty Nat,
Your enthusiasm is infectious and I'm about to get busy on your links. Thank you for the information! And your honesty about the Chick-Fil-A, although I suppose I should've known...
teeheehee. wow. i just realized how much i actually wrote. that is alot, but its good info hahaha. a few other key points i forgot. Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie... and there is a lot of stuff in that area as far as night life and restaurants. im sure ur gonna be able to find something to replace chic-fil-a. i forgot about Lake George and all the stuff FURTHER upstate where there are alot of things to do as far as outdoorsiness upstate stuff. Anyways thats why the Hudson Valley is the best because its right in between Up Up State and the city.
Not quite my neighbors, but it's a guy I knew in high school. I did forget to mention the huge horseflys that committ sucide on our front door. It sounds like a kid throwing rocks at it!
Yup, the licensing issue is pretty ridiculous.
Gah,I'm in the same boat. I have no idea where I want to go, or what I want to do. I like the pros and cons list. I think I will have to implement that technique myself.
Have you checked out Virginia? I live in upstate central NY.
A LOT of my friends and family have been migrating to Virginia, I hear it is pretty fantastic
Lauren-
I feel your pain. Make a list! Even if it isn't helpful, it's usually a lot of fun!
Sara, I have friends who've had to make the same decision, so I know it's rough. I'm sorry. :-/
My two cents: grew up an hour outside of Seattle, and it really is as fabulous as it looks in the movie. It does rain a lot, it does snow, but it really is green all the time. People are super nice and it's a big city without feeling overwhelming.
Honestly, I wish I were there right now. :-)
Christina,
Thanks for the input. I've never been to Washington, but I feel like I definitely need to visit it, or maybe just a little jaunt around the Pacific NW!
i would never doom you to ohio - never
good luck on your state search
Boston! We have seafood, museums, a wicked annoying accent, and LOADS of dysfunctional families!
I think you'll make a fantastic therapist, by the way. Good luck with your decision.
Sara, definitely make a trip! I'll tell you all the things you need to see... and the things you're just fine skipping. ;-)
Wow, that has to be so confusing and stressful. Looks like you have a good list going! I haven't lived in any of the states you listed, but I currently live in Cleveland. I've heard it rains as much in Cleveland as it does it Seattle. I don't know if that's true, but sometimes it feels like it. I saw that rain was on your Oregon list and wanted to give you that heads up. Good luck!
Wow -- you have to make this decision so early in your program?
Well, I'm not a good judge here because I, too, am trying to figure out where I want to be in the next few years. (Grad school is calling my name.) I will tell you, though, that these are the states that somehow draw me in:
Washington The seafood -- oh, the seafood! And yes, "Sleepless in Seattle" really did wonders for Washington's PR.
California Hm. I don't know why I like California, really. I just do.
Utah There are lots o' mormons in Utah, and eventually, I'd like to marry.
North Carolina I've heard Asheville is beautiful, too! We could be roommates!
Georgia Atlanta is my home, and it's close to all sorts of things: beaches, mountains, a big airport that can take you anywhere on vacation.
I used to really like New York. I still do, but I wouldn't want to live there long-term. And let me tell you, if you WERE going to be the fattest person anywhere, it would probably be in New York and not in Washington state. Did you know that the average New Yorker walks 4-5 miles a day?!?
1) I'm comment #23?! You are so stinkin' popular!
2) I just watched Elf yesterday.
3) New York. Just do it. Then I will (a) also get a job there or (b) make bank in California and become the type of person who just flies into New York for a weekend. Probably.
I had the same dilemma after vet school. You just gotta make your best guess and know you'll end up somewhere else.
California is major expensive. Except for the ghettos, which might be an option (you didn't mention you were specifically opposed to living near gangs). We're also a litigious state, I think. And we think very highly of ourselves. We have lizards, too. And mice. But SoCal has the best weather EVER, and we've got loads to do. I know of 1 Chik-Fil-A within craving distance, and we're busting at the seams with dysfunctional marriages in need of reparation. It's your call. I also like Washington, though. Seattle. Space Needle. Coffee houses. Alternative rock. Fish markets. Umbrellas.
HUGE project deadlines loom and you become a busy blogger.
I've missed several posts and opportunities to weigh in on them with brilliance and wit....
[crickets chirping]
Yea, that'd be me.
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