A Day in the Life of a Third-Year Resident
Welcome to the third year of psychiatry residency, aka The Outpatient Saga. If you’re wondering what this year holds (spoiler: lots of coffee and even more psychopharmacology), buckle up because I’m taking you on a tour of what life’s like when you’re juggling three clinics, chart prepping, and chasing around a toddler.
6:00 AM: Rise and Shine (or Try To)
Let’s start the day with an overly optimistic alarm clock. Depending on the mood, I either kick things off with a morning workout or wrangle my 2-year-old into daycare mode (which, let’s face it, is a workout on its own). Breakfast? Coffee. Always coffee.
7:45-8:30 AM: The Calm Before the Clinic Storm
I make it to the clinic and settle in. I like to spend time setting up my office, reviewing my emails, and setting up a game plan to tackle the day. Oh, and getting more coffee (of course).
Monday Morning: A Tale of Two Clinics
Monday mornings are for new patient evaluations. Each Monday is a coin flip. One week, I’m at Centers for Youth and Family. The next week, I switch it up and head to the VA. New patient evaluations are probably one of my favorites as you’re able to do a deep dive into someone’s past psychiatric history while you start building a strong therapeutic relationship.
Monday Afternoons: Freud Has Entered the Chat
Monday afternoons—the time we dive headfirst into psychodynamic therapy. This is where things get interesting. It’s all about uncovering unconscious motives, identifying defense mechanisms, and trying out different therapy modes. We’re talking deep insights, emotional revelations, and maybe a few “Aha!” moments along the way.
Afterward, I huddle up with my supervisor and fellow residents for an hour of case talk, where we debrief cases, share theories, and sometimes scratch our heads at the mysteries of the human mind. Then, it’s a 1:1 session with my therapy supervisor, where we break down the nitty-gritty of my cases and figure out what’s working—and what needs a bit more finesse. It’s like having my own therapy session for my therapy sessions. Meta, right?
Tuesday: Full Day at the VA
Tuesday? It’s VA all day, baby. Veterans have seen it all, and working with them is like peeling back the layers of an onion—lots of depth and maybe a few tears. It’s a day dedicated to giving back to those who’ve given so much, helping them find stability and a better quality of life.
Wednesday: The Centers for Youth and Family
Wednesdays are spent at Centers for Youth and Family, a non-profit mental and behavioral health clinic serving the citizens of Little Rock. Many of the patients I see here face not only severe mental health challenges but also limited access to care. For them, getting the right support can be life-changing, and being part of that journey is both humbling and rewarding.
Thursday: Telehealth Time!
Ah, Thursdays, my telehealth day with the VA. where I spend the mornings virtually seeing patients from a small rural town in Arkansas who might otherwise not have easy access to psychiatric care.
Friday: Walker Family Clinic
By Friday, I’m back at Walker Family Clinic, wrapping up the week with a combination of new patient evaluations in the morning and follow-ups in the afternoon. It’s a balancing act between starting new journeys and ensuring the ongoing care of my regulars. By 4:30 p.m., I’m as ready for the weekend as my patients are.
Call: A (Mostly) Rare Adventure
Call shifts? They’re not too bad! Weekday calls are 4:30-7 p.m., mostly supervising interns. Weekend calls are 7 a.m.-7 p.m. or the night shift, 7 p.m.-7 a.m., but luckily, they’re infrequent. Compared to other specialties, I’m living the dream—plenty of time with my family, friends, and Audiobooks.
Weekends Off: Time for Friends, Family, and Pretending to Enjoy Sailing
One of the perks of working in clinics? Weekends off! And with a program that values work-life balance, I have plenty of time to spend with my friends and family, especially during the fall and spring when local events in Little Rock are in full swing. Whether it’s checking out a new restaurant or heading to a festival, my family and I are always finding something fun to do. And thanks to the balanced schedule, I’ve also been able to start learning a new hobby: sailing. Well, technically, I’m learning to sail. It’s really my husband’s hobby, and I’m mostly just along for the emotional support (and the occasional sunburn). But hey, we all need a little adventure, right?