I'm trying to be the person I didn't have in these systems and I need advice ASAP

Question

hi all, I am very new to this thread and am not familiar with some of the terminology yet so please be kind. Starting with some backstory, when I was in my early teens I was in and out of PHP and IOP programs, as well as a couple psychiatric wards up until I was 18. I remember the treatment being so horrendous. It was rare that I found a staff member that I felt actually cared about me. It wasn't until after I left the programs that I got proper diagnoses and medication. My parents did the best they could with what little they understood about mental health at the time, but no matter how many times it was recommended that I go to an RTC, they didn't want me to. I didn't know much about them and none of the staff were communicative enough to explain any of this to my face, but somehow, my high school let me come back as is and I made it. Fast forward to now, I am in an MSW program! Somewhere along my journey I told myself I wanted to be the support for the kids that felt like they had no voice, and I thought it could start with working in the system. I've been looking for positions in the Northern Virginia area and have upcoming interviews with an Embark RTC and a Discovery Mood and Anxiety RTC (I was a client in their eating disorder program as a teen and I will admit, it wasn't the best but I've experienced worse so I'm hoping that their Mood and Anxiety program is different maybe). I don't want to do wrong by any kids because I absolutely know what it's like. The use of evidence-based treatment seems promising to me, as well as the nice facilities, but the more I read about both places the more nervous I get. I want a job where I can really make a positive impact on someone's life when they're struggling, and I've worked in a crappy PHP/IOP program before but I still connected with the clients and helped them in the best way I could. Any advice on where to go from here?

Posted Jan 30, 2026, 5:18 AM UTC

314
Loading comments…