Doc Warren

I am old fashioned to be sure. My office is filled with Mission Style furniture and Barrister bookcases and though parts of the building are about 15 years old, I designed, built and decorated it as if it could have been built in the 1920’s when the street was first designed. I even put furring strips on selected roof rafters to give it the appearance of the roof settling with “age.” My wife often teases me that I am the only person on the planet that still uses the term “telephonic communication” when making a note on a phone call.

“I can’t wait until I open my private practice and never have to do paperwork again!” There are many misconceptions about opening a private practice but this one in perhaps the biggest. Paperwork is the arch enemy of many a clinician but sad to say, going into private practice will do little to solve them. Now don’t get me wrong, I have less paperwork in private (ok, small not for profit) practice than I ever did before but I still have my share. Although I no longer have to do an expense report (because no one will pay me back for it anyway), I no longer have to do a mileage report, quarterly reports etc. Private practice still has many paperwork related items.

I am a private person even if I do find myself in the middle of many things. No, really, I do prefer being unknown and to myself, it’s just that there is something about my personality that seems to gravitate me out of the shadows and into the mix of things. I am not sure what it is but I do wish I knew how to shut it off sometimes. This likely describes a lot of us in the field. Many of us are inquisitive, intellectual and not exactly party animals although I do know plenty of exceptions to this. But seriously, how often do you think counseling conferences/ conventions are crashed by those seeking a wild and crazy time? Not many I would bet.

My in office reviewer has advised me that I must start this off by informing you that I am not reviewing a new Spike Lee movie. The title instead is directed at all of us in private practice who can surely relate to the tale about to unfold.While there is much to be loved about opening a private practice there are many down sides as well, snow days being a BIG one this time of year depending on where you live. As for me, I live in New England and my office is on the side of South Mountain. South Mountain is not the world’s largest mountain and likely is little more than a foot note in any mountain guide for Connecticut but it is large enough to spread fear in some of my clients even in good weather. Add snow, ice or a mixture and South Mountain resembles more of a Luge track than a public road and results in many weather related cancellations.

To blatantly steal from that famous Gecko, I love my job. I love the practice of helping others, the dedication, the responsibility and the pay. Ok, I do not love the pay, but the rest is true. I love that I have the ability to make a difference in the lives of others; people who I may never see again if not for my work. I suppose that is true for all of us in the field.