Is using the word “umm” as a filler unprofessional… ? I’m not bothered by it.My client who complained is pregnant and seemed to be having a manic episode. She has mental illness and she is living at the homeless shelter I work at and well … not all of them are mentally ill but the main program deals with mental Health and substance abuse so people with those issues , who are homeless, often go to the shelter which is affiliated with the main facility. She said she doesn’t like that word because she comes from an educated family. I didn’t catch what she said at first. She appeared manic and was speaking rapidly. But anyway … is using the word “um” unprofessional? I’m a case manager. I think she was probably dealing with her own issues.