u/EntertainerWeekly507

I'm so frustrated...I just had a client end therapy (that was going really well from my view, at least) because they want more "structure" and to be given tasks each week. Mind you, I have given them tasks and they didn't do them! This is one of many instances where a client claims they want a more "structured" approach, but can't seem to verbalize what that actually means, and doesn't actually participate in the homework or tasks that they asked for. I also do trauma work, which in my opinion, cannot usually follow a structure. It's trauma, what comes up comes up.

Times are really hard, and while I have learned to cope and not blame myself when this happens, I need money to survive, and it takes months these days to get a new referral. I am already burning out and can't imagine how I could possibly gather the energy to be any more "strucured" let alone figure out what the hell clients mean when they say that only for them not to participate. I feel like I failed this client's expectations but I have no idea how else I would have worked with them.

I truly need help - I have been trying to get my cats to lose weight for close to a year now. They have never adjusted to a decreased amount of food and constantly beg me for food and wake me early in the morning for food. I'm exhaisted, sleep deprived and furious all the time.

I've tried everything - slow feeders, puzzle feeders, lick mats, Royal Canin satiety support, upping wet food and lowering dry food, extra play time, and microchip feeders so they dont steal each others food. Nothing has worked and on top of it they have not lost an ounce of weight.

I was free feeding them before, but everyone assured me they would eventually adjust to less food, and they just haven't. I even added an extra 20 calories or so when it was really bad, and it calmed them down for about a month, but now they are back to screaming at me constantly. I can't even fathom how its possible they haven't lost at least a little bit of weight and now my quality of life has drastically decreased.

Has anyone dealt with this? I have no idea what to do but I'm afarid if I give up and go back to free feeding they will end up gaining more weight. One of them is 12.4lbs and I would be okay with her staying as is, but the other is 16 lbs and really does need to lose weight. She is very active and vocal but just so incredibly obsessed with food and I'm losing my mind.

Please don't say "just feed them less" - its unhelpful and doesnt answer my question. They are already ruining my life and they are miserable. it has been nearly a year of this.