Self Care for Therapist

Presented by: Gemmalyn R. Sindong

 Anyone who has flown on an airplane and listened to the flight
attendant before takeoff has been cautioned what to do in the event the
oxygen masks fall from the ceiling: Put on your own mask first before
trying to help someone else. Counselor wellness experts say that idea has
mileage on the ground, too.
Helping yourself first is a principle that applies directly to
counseling, says Sandra Rankin, “If you’re gasping for air, you can’t help
other people,”
“Counselors who neglect their own mental, physical and spiritual
self-care eventually run out of ’oxygen’ and cannot effectively help their
clients because all of their energy is going out to the clients and nothing is
coming back in to replenish the counselors’ energy.”
 Counselors should make it a priority to walk the talk and model
wellness for their clients, Lawson says. “It’s not to say we need to be
perfect all the time, but we need to be aware. If you’re telling your clients
to do it, do it yourself.”

It’s important that counselors make a habit of checking in on

themselves, Venart adds. “Because counselor wellness and impairment
are on a continuum from well to stressed to distressed to impaired, it is
critical that we continually monitor where we are on that continuum and
address any early signs of stress so we don’t move further down the
continuum. We are instruments of healing. If we don’t keep our own
instrument tuned, we won’t be useful in promoting wellness in others.”
 “As a psychotherapist I know that I have a limit on how much
suffering and sadness I can hold and my after-work time needs to
provide pleasant, soothing, joyful energy to replenish myself from being
empathic with my patients’ struggles,” said Roseann Adams, LCSW, a
psychotherapist with an independent practice in Chicago.
 According to Kim Boivin, MEd, a registered clinical counselor
at Positive Change Counseling Services in Vancouver, BC, Canada,
“We are interdependent so what I do to take care of myself has an
impact on all who I interact with. When I care for myself, I care for
others better too.”
As Terri Orbuch, Ph.D, psychotherapist and author of Finding Love
Again: Six Simple Steps to a New and Happy Relationship, said,
“Everyone needs to make sure they take care of themselves; they need
to make their own wel-being and happiness a priority in their life. If you
don’t, who will?”
How You Can Practice Self-
Care?
1.Identify what activities help you feel
your best

2. Put it on your calendar — in ink!

3. Sneak in self-care where you can

4. Take care of yourself physically

5. Know when to say no

6. Check in with yourself regularly

7. Surround yourself with great people

8. Consider the quality of self-care

9. Remember that self-care is
non-negotiable
How Clinicians Practice Self-
Care?
Self-care is a top priority for Sarkis, who practices an
assortment of activities — from working out to spending time
with loved ones.

I exercise daily, I practice healthy eating, I socialize, I spend

time with my loved ones, I engage in activities I enjoy, I take
time out for myself, and I say no to things that are not meeting
my needs. I also think humor is a very important part of life.
Having an optimistic outlook also is an important part of self-
care.
Boivin’s self-care routine also consists of various activities, such as
meditating, seeing a therapist and savoring a sweet treat.

My regular self-care behavior also includes mindfulness meditation (on

my own and with a group); yoga at least twice a week; personal
therapy; professional supervision; consultation with colleagues; going
on retreats/holidays; making healthy meals and bringing them to work;
laughing; going for walks around the block, looking for beauty to
connect with, and breathing deeply. Oh, and eating dark chocolate with
a cup of hot tea and only doing that. No multitasking, just enjoying
that.
 Many people feel guilty about making time for themselves. But
when you’re stressed and exhausted, you have less energy to give to
others. According to Kim Boivin, MEd, a registered clinical counselor
at Positive Change Counseling Services in Vancouver, BC, Canada,
“We are interdependent so what I do to take care of myself has an
impact on all who I interact with. When I care for myself, I care for
others better too.”
 Since the self of the counselor is an essential
component of effective counseling, it is vital that we
nourish our own wellness. When we are well, we are better
able to connect with our clients, more attentive and
creative in our work, and less likely to make clinical errors
or violate boundaries.”
Thank you!