Therapy for Helpers
“An empty lantern provides no light” - unknown
You mean your CEUs on compassion fatigue didn’t help?
I have a theory that every time a supervisor utters the phrase “self-care”, an angel gets its wings. I kid, of course. But all joking aside, the term “self-care” has been thrown around like confetti so often, it has started to lose its meaning.
What does self-care mean exactly? A bubble bath? A glass of cab? No amount of yoga or take-out tacos is going to counteract the build up of compassion fatigue, pressure, and trauma that today’s healthcare providers are facing. All against the backdrop of a broken healthcare system. In a pandemic. In a world that is (literally) on fire.
And don’t get me started on the imposter syndrome. Even when there is success, why doesn’t it feel good enough?
Therapy for Therapists
We’ve probably all muttered the whole “you have to put your oxygen mask on first” metaphor to our clients- I think it’s a rite of passage. But how much are we really buying into it? If you have found yourself saying the following:
“I don’t need therapy, my problems aren’t that serious”
“I do this for a living, I should know how to make myself feel better”
“What would a therapist tell me that I don’t already know?”
then please know, if nothing else, that you are more than worthy of support. Listen, I don’t have to sell you on therapy. What I do want to remind you is that you are deserving of your own space. Filled with your own stuff. It would be my honor to hold that stuff for you.
The mental health field is not designed to sustain the mental health of mental health workers.
If you are struggling, this doesn’t make you a bad therapist. This makes you human.
Therapy for Medical Providers
You knew you were choosing a high-stress field. After all, not everyone chooses to be a doctor for a reason. But you might not have expected this. You’re probably used to being the one who “has it all together” and can handle whatever comes your way. So why is it so hard?
The system is broken.
“Yeah, no shit” you may be thinking. Plus, acknowledging this also might make you feel powerless because you can’t fix a broken system overnight.
You've done everything asked of you in life and more. You are driven, focused, and willing to put up with a lot of crap to achieve your goals. But this doesn’t translate to happiness. This often translates to feeling stuck, directionless, and unfulfilled.
I get it. I’ve worked with plenty of doctors, aspiring doctors, and medical professionals in many stages of training- whether it is applying to med school, enduring residency, or facing the insurmountable task of finishing training and facing a life unstructured and without natural checkpoints. I’m not going to ask you to “prioritize yourself” and throw solutions at you that seem unachievable given the unimaginable restraints placed on your free time.
Dare I say, we are going to operate within this broken system, pull you out from under it, and find joy in what matters most.
How good would it feel to have a space of your own?
Let’s make it about you for a change.