I Swore I’d Never Work in Outpatient. Now, I Can’t Imagine Leaving.

By: Jessi Kiefor, LMHC-A

I used to swear I’d never work in outpatient therapy. It felt boring. Predictable. I had this image in my head of the work being like Groundhog Day: the same clients, same topics, same four walls every single day. I was worried I’d burn out fast, or worse, feel stuck.
But somewhere along the way, Pillars of Wellness completely changed my mind.
What started as a curiosity, maybe even skepticism, turned into one of the most fulfilling and dynamic chapters of my career.
What made the difference? First, it wasn’t cookie-cutter outpatient. I got to pick clients based on my clinical interests, which helped keep the work fresh and exciting. Instead of getting boxed into one area, I was encouraged to stretch into different projects like taking on intakes, creating CEU trainings, stepping into a leadership role, even collaborating with local sports teams.
That variety didn’t just keep me engaged; it helped me grow. I’ve had the chance to present to mental health professionals in the community, build programming from scratch, and dive deep into my passion for OCD treatment. All with the kind of encouragement and support that’s actually genuine, not just talked about in a handbook.
And then there’s the flexibility. I’ve been able to build a schedule that actually fits my life—not the other way around. I can plan around family events, personal responsibilities, or even just time I know I need to recharge. It’s allowed me to be a better therapist and a more balanced human.
Plus, the people? The kind of coworkers who show up to the office in full costume on Halloween. That kind of energy matters more than people realize.
If you had told me a few years ago that outpatient work would be what reignited my passion for this field, I would’ve raised an eyebrow at you. But I’ve come to learn something really important: how we mentally characterize a situation has a profound impact on how we respond to it emotionally. That “framing effect” was true for me. Once I stopped viewing agency work as something limiting and started seeing it as something that could be versatile, supported, and meaningful—everything changed.
I’m really glad I was wrong.
If you’re looking for a place where you can grow, feel supported, and actually enjoy coming to work, I’d encourage you to consider joining our team at Pillars of Wellness: Join Our Team