Despite years of education, training, supervision, and constant oversight, being a counselor often feels like an uphill battle just to justify our work and get paid fairly. The financial side of this profession is deeply frustrating, especially when it clashes with the ethics of counseling itself. If we are not compensated, we cannot continue to provide care when clients need us most. Often, it is painful to watch clients struggling with systemic issues, only to be forced to pathologize their natural responses in order to satisfy insurance requirements. The process can feel like a pointless game that undermines the heart of what we do. Even with solid academic backgrounds and years in the field, many of us still question how much we truly know. Human suffering is complex, clients’ experiences are highly variable, and yet we are expected to measure, diagnose, and treat as though the answers are clear-cut. The irony is striking: while the system demands certainty, the work itself is rooted in uncertainty, humility, and human connection. At the end of the day, many of us just want to show up, be present with our clients, and provide space, reflection, and perspective without the crushing weight of bureaucracy. Too often, the profession leaves us wondering: why are we subjecting ourselves to this at all?