Going to Work, I’ll be right back.

I can’t recall which comic said it first, but I remembered his self effacing line about being a professional standup. It was something like ‘I only work an hour a night. So I’m going to work, but I’ll be right back.” And he spoke for all of us in comedy. And for me it was the gift that enabled me to continue going to graduate school while performing on stage every night in New York. At the time I was at Columbia University pursuing my Masters in Clinical Social Work. I was in my happy places: standup comedy and graduate school. The program included spending a couple of semesters in a ‘field placement’ working as a therapist at some agency, hospital or mental health facility each week. I loved the experience! I spent one term at a hospital mental health clinic in New Jersey seeing patients with all manor of struggles. Depression, anxiety, relationship stress, family issues. It was amazing  and confirmed My commitment to become in a therapist for all my career. And here I am, still passionate about the field. I am blessed for sure! And ironically therapist also work an hour at a time. We’ll be right back!