Receiving Updates on Previous Clients
Hearing from programs about previous clients is always exciting to learn about. I’ll catch wind of what a client is up to when I run into a program representative at a conference or event. Sometimes when I call to inquire about a new referral, I might ask how Jimmy* is doing. I might also ask about his parents. Vice versa, if I’ve heard about the young adult or parents, and the program isn’t aware, I’ll update them on what I know. These conversations of positive outcomes carry us through the hard days when we’re in the trenches trying to save lives.
When I get an update email from a parent, it truly makes my day. Let me take that back. It doesn’t “just make my day.” It brings tears to my eyes, I’m often speechless other than to mutter something unintelligent like “oh my God!,” and then it casts a warmth over my body like a pebble creates ripples in a pond. It’s a full-body experience of relief, joy, and then reinforces hope in the work I do. I don’t expect them, and yet I always appreciate when I receive them.
I’m not saying it’s all positive. When I get these updates from parents it usually is, but I’m aware we’re working with humans here. Constant joy or happiness is unrealistic, and it’s also not something anyone needs to be striving for. It’s normal to have ups and downs. I still find relief in hearing about a client having a depressive episode only because the parents will relay how the young adult was doing before then, and what they’re doing now to take care of themselves. It’s all about change. It’s all about learned skills. And it’s all consistent in highlighting the young adult is resilient and “will get through this.” That keeps me going.
When I get the update about someone maintaining a full-time job, celebrating anniversaries (especially in recovery), starting a healthy relationship, being financially independent, and sponsoring others in AA, I can’t stop smiling. And when I learn about those returning to school, completing a degree or certification, or even starting an advanced degree, it just becomes full-circle for me. This is exactly why I launched my consulting practice. I knew students were academically capable, it was just “all the other stuff” that was getting in the way. Eight years ago I stepped out to start working with young adults help them get to a place to be able to return to school or move forward with school (if that’s what they wanted), and now here I am hearing from parents years after they’ve worked with me to update me on how healthy, balanced, resilient, stable, motivated, etc. their young adult is.
To take it a step further, believe it or not I also get updates from the young adults themselves. They reach out to ask me about my career path, if I can be a reference, to let me know they’re moving, to ask me to help find them a new outpatient therapist, express interest in being a podcast guest, or just generally wanting to let me know how they’re doing. This is even more rare than the parents contacting me to share updates. I will always answer these calls, texts, voicemails, and emails. To hear from my clients doesn’t just make my day, it makes my year.
For questions or comments contact Joanna.
*Jimmy is a fake client name. I’ve never worked with a Jimmy before.
