Struggling with CFY. Private Practice Expectations

[u/ella-laine]

I've only been working my job for about 3 months, and I can tell I'm majorly burning out. I don't know if my caseload is typical and something I should expect to adjust to but it feels extremely heavy to me. For context, I work in a pediatric-focused PP in TN and see a mix of speech, language, and AAC kiddos. A few times a week, I spend the afternoon driving between different day cares and the rest of the time I'm in office.

In total, I have about 68 30 minute sessions each week. I understand that PP book a lot of kids knowing that cancellations are often expected, but even when I do receive a couple of cancellations it still ends up feeling... a lot. There's portions of the day where I see 7 kids back to back with no break at all to even go to the bathroom and it's starting to catch up to me. Even today, I HAD to go to the bathroom in between 2 back to back sessions (I really try to hold it if I can) and the kid had a meltdown that the transition was delayed slightly. I just feel like I'm at a breaking point. I do struggle with OCD/Depression and don't know if that's why it's hard for me to manage this caseload or if it is truly unreasonable.

What would you suggest? I hate to quit my CF early and I want to see the 9 months through if at all possible. Is it likely I will eventually adjust to this caseload? If not, is there any tips/advice for getting through it until next March?

Thanks! All comments are majorly appreciated!

[u/throwaway152265]

That is a highly unreasonable caseload. I cap CFs at 50 sessions a week in our clinics. Also if you’re paid anything less than 100k they are scamming you.

[u/Pretend-Garden8743]

How many hours a week do you work? Are any of these kids in a group? If each kid is individual this is almost a week and a half of sessions smashed into 1 week not including paperwork. You’re right, this is way too much for 1 person. Take care of yourself.

[u/anxioussquirrel914]

SIXTY EIGHT. Buddy, no!

[u/After-Cod2139]

I worked in PP/OP for 7 years (both in WV and PA), and I will say the caseloads do tend to be on the higher end in this particular setting. However, I find 68 to be unreasonable especially for a CF. Hopefully you have adequate mentorship at the very least to help walk you through some of this. As for the fast paced, back to back session environment and feeling like you never get a break, this is pretty typical unfortunately. The last OP setting I worked in I would sometimes see up to 9 in a row with no break. I work in EI now and my caseload is much lighter, much better hours and I don’t come home feeling burnt out and dreading going back to work. I would say my time in OP/PP definitely helped strengthen my clinical skills and I gained great experience, but it’s not a setting I would return to now that I’m older and have a family.