Therapy For The Healers
Therapy For The Healers
We’re our own worst patients.
You’re working in community mental health, and the dreaded “P” word (Productivity) is being thrown around. You’re trying to stay up on your notes but you continue to get bombarded with questions and clients and crisis sessions. You’re struggling to find support around you or the agency culture just doesn’t promote that. Have you heard the phrase Baptism by fire?
You’re working in a school with the constant stress of the school going on lockdown and you don’t even have a room assigned to you. You’re struggling sending these students home to environments that aren’t supportive of them. You’ve thought to yourself, maybe a job in marketing wouldn’t be so bad, or maybe you’ll stalk shelves at the library where no one talks to you.
You’ve stayed up late, yet again, trying to get notes done, feeling like a bad parent because you were grumpy when you came home. The chronic migraines keep coming. You start to see yourself or someone you care about in every client that walks in the door. It’s a problem.
Working with people is hard.
You spend your days supporting others. I’m here to support you.
As a dedicated helping professional, you skillfully navigate the intricate landscapes of healing, guidance, and support. Day in and day out, you champion the cause of those who depend on you, utilizing your expertise to bridge the gaps and create lasting impact. It's vital to acknowledge the significance of carving out your own space for personal reflection and care. Just as you hold space for others, it's imperative to extend that same compassion and attention to your own well-being.
Whether you find yourself in the role of a therapist, counselor, school counselor, occupational therapist, speech therapist, etc. helping others can sometimes overshadow your own needs. The demands and emotions tied to your profession can be relentless, leaving you vulnerable to feelings of burnout, compassion fatigue, and stress. And you deserve your own space to process your life and your work.
Helping Progessionals are predisposed to…
Stress and Burn Out
PTSD/Secondary Trauma
Depression
Substance Use
Suicidal Ideations/ Suicide
Headaches
Chronic Pain
Did you know…
Burn Out.
Occurs over a long period of time and is usually related to work environment stressors, rather than specifically related to working with someone who have experienced trauma.
Secondary Trauma/Vicarious Trauma.
A psychological response which may occur suddenly, or over time after hearing of someone’s trauma or prolonged exposure to someone’s emotional pain.
Compassion Fatigue.
Is used when talking about someone having "too much "compassion.
Trauma Exposure Response.
The experience of being a witness to human against human suffering. It's the impact of working directly with those who have been affected by trauma.
Signs And Symptoms Of Vicarious Trauma
Invasive thoughts of client’s situation/distress
Disturbed sleep/nightmares/racing thoughts
Frustration/fear/anxiety, irritability
Problems managing personal boundaries
Taking on too great a sense of responsibility or feeling you need to overstep the boundaries of your role
Difficulty leaving work at the end of the day/noticing you can never leave on time
Loss of connection with self and others/loss of a sense of own identity
Increased time alone/a sense of needing to withdraw from others
Increased need to control events/outcomes/others
Loss of pleasure in daily activities
Signs And Symptoms Of Burnout
Physical and emotional stress
Low job satisfaction
Feeling frustrated by or judgmental of clients
Feeling under pressure, powerless and overwhelmed
Not taking breaks, eating on the run
Unable to properly refuel and regenerate
Frequent sick days or “mental health days”
Irritability and anger
If you are on the fence, here are the benefits of therapy with me:
It is confidential.
I provide you the option to come in person or use telehealth.
I will not judge any story.
As I specialize in the unique culture, you will not be judged as weak or a failure.
You aim to regain control of yourself, your mind, your emotions, and your life.
You’ve been confused how to help your partner
You’ve had an increase in stress, worry, anxiety for your partner
You’ve been feeling like you solo parent often
You’ve noticed a change in your partner or partnership