An Inherited Case Load

     When I started at my agency I inherited a caseload of 45+ clients from a previous therapist.  I also inherited her office.  Fortunately she had terminated with clients before she left, but I think it was still difficult for some clients to come in to the agency, to the same office, and have someone sitting in the previous therapist's chair. Some clients transitioned well, and others not so well.   A few refused to schedule with me at all.
     I learned a lot about the previous therapist from the clients who continued with me, and that taught me a few things.  The previous therapist left because someone was shot across the street from our office.  She explained to the clients that she was leaving because the neighborhood was too dangerous.  I think she had several reasons for leaving, but it seems that she thought that the shooting would be a good one to tell clients.  She also self-disclosed to her clients a great deal, and they knew about her feelings about the drugs and prostitution in the center city area.
   This was not a good message for many of my clients.  They actually do not have the opportunity to opt-out of their neighborhood.  Many have lived for long periods in either this area or in other cities with similar issues.  She unwittingly gave the message that the neighborhood that they were a part of was not to her liking, and she could choose not to work with them.  This bothers me even more now because many of my clients are (or previously were) drug dealers, prostitutes, or people who participated in the violence.
    I also learned about the dangers of self-disclosure from these clients.  Over the course of a few months I learned more than I should have about the previous therapist.  She shared details of her religious beliefs, politics, her personal mental health issues, and issues having to do with the agency that the clients had no business knowing.  Any social worker who self-discloses should be aware that confidentiality is not a two-way street.