During that time, we used to take permission from clients to audio record sessions, which we then had to transcribe word-for-word. As someone who prioritizes client confidentiality above all else, I was not in favor of giving the recordings to AI tools (this was in 2023), which could’ve done it in just a few clicks. However, the privacy of my clients was more important to me. So I used to do it myself.
This whole experience is what inspired the meme.
I used to be so excited for the sessions with my clients. I would go with thorough preparations and notes before the session, and in the sessions, we usually used to meet the goals we had collaboratively, because that’s how therapy is supposed to be.
As a Counselor, I always used to make sure we ended on a hopeful note because I believe that allows them to meet their old friend, optimism. And in some cases, it helped them successfully survive till the next session.
Challenges were on both sides. While they had to do the self-help work and activities we had decided, I had to do the transcripts for each session, and one session was usually 60 minutes long. Only I know how many times I had to listen to the same line in order to type it down word by word and omit the personal information for confidentiality, as it was supposed to be checked by the supervisors.
My method was very lengthy, and because of that, I was always late completing my submissions. I remember I had to take a leave from college just because of the deadline.
Yet now, when I look back, I see that I spent a lot of time on this. Could’ve used AI and saved some time, maybe enjoyed my college life a little bit. But I don’t regret it.
Because it helped me understand my clients so much.
I was able to read between the lines.
Listen to the things that were not said directly, but were still there for you to understand and communicate for further understanding.
Yes, my eyes used to feel exhausted when I used to check my progress in terms of my transcripts, and I always felt like I had a long way to go...
Yet, at the end of every session, I used to feel happy about the progress that my clients were making.
And that’s when this meme was born 😁
