When I told a client during an intake session how to contact me, they asked “so, is that like a 24/7 thing, if I really need it?”. I told them no and provided the usual crisis resources, as I was about to anyway. As I sat with this question later, it left me feeling dehumanized. Now, this is not the fault of the client and I do not blame them personally. However, the idea that a solo provider, just me, a human being, would be available 24 hours per day on call “just in case” is absurd. What if I’m asleep? Having a couple of drinks? In the shower or on the toilet? On a long afternoon hike? Enjoying a date with my partner? Or just tuning out and enjoying a weekend of not being a therapist. Of not being needed. Of not holding space for others. Of holding space for ME. Unfortunately, this idea is propagated not just by clients, but by providers who believe they have some obligation to be 24/7 crisis support for their clients as well as the media. Therapists who will call and support a client on a Sunday afternoon if they receive an email of distress. TV therapists answering random calls from their clients at all hours of the night. Therapists who believe you can never really be “off” just in case a client “needs” you. No. I reject this. I am a HUMAN. This is my JOB. And my job is to meet with my clients at our agreed upon time, give them good, attuned therapy, assess for risk and refer to higher levels of care if needed. I am not my client’s keeper, mother, family member, best friend, or crisis line. I do not have the hero complex that tells me I need to save my clients or be everything for them. I am a human first before my job. So no, I am not available 24/7 just in case. My job is not my life. My clients are not my life. My life is my life, my job is my job, and I am not so arrogant as to think that my clients won’t be able to survive without me for an evening or a weekend.