@lillib thank you! Yes, the equine therapy is definitely not a replacement job idea. And you are right- I have 6 years to get my hours. So I can technically take a bit longer, find a volunteer site, etc. The more I think about all that’s asked of me without any compensation, the more frustrated I get. I’m young, I’ve already got my grad degree and a federal license. I don’t want to do talk therapy to be honest. It’s just not my style. So the license is just to be more marketable as an equine assisted therapist. I see your point though. Why stay in a job for a license I’m not going to be using any time soon!

@sarahsweets thank you too! I actually had that conversation with my boss yesterday. I work for a government entity so raises or promotions ebb and flow with the performance of the state, the agency, and the budget. However, there are benchmarks to be eligible for promotions. So many years, so many trainings. Which I’ve met. I think it is my boss’s boss holding it up. My boss actually is very supportive. But her boss is not. He has made it clear that he doesn’t like my approach to working with my clients. Which is just bizarre since a)he’s never seen me while working and b) the only reference he has was a client who was transferred to another site, so the issues that arose happened after I wasn’t even in the picture. But unfortunately, my name was still linked to the origin of the case. Le sigh.

I am so anxious to even think of something new. A longer commute. New rules. New duties. And maybe being away from home more. That would be a strain on me just because I also train horses so I’d have to size that back and also ask my live-in beau to care for my own horses while I’m gone.

But— I’ll never know if I never try. I am looking at other jobs. I’d even considered taking a job at a school district, even as a secretary, so I could get out of the job I’m in. I just have to remember the reasons why I looked for another job. And how difficult it is to not see any raise, even a cost of living increase, in 4 years.

Thanks for the replies. I do truly appreciate it.