Therapists around the world struggle with myths regarding their work and self-care. In this fast-paced world that therapist live in, the therapist often finds it hard to take time off for themselves. Stated below are two statements that are continuously used as internal dialogues.
Click here to access: Addressing Myths of Self - Care part 1; Never Underestimate The Power of Self-Care; Emotions and Self-Care.
“Counseling care is about others – I don’t need to acknowledge my feelings”
Lizel kept on telling herself this statement. With her hectic schedule and lack of self-care she has often been so tired when she enters the counselling room, she just blanks out and she is not able to recall what the client has just shared. One of the points to consider is what is our definition of counselling. If it only addresses the definition of helping others, then this myth is something that we will end up believing in. However, we all agree that this profession is involved with feelings.
In a counselling session, there are two people that are involved and the feelings and thoughts of the client is addressed however, a significant mark is made if the therapist is actually missing in the session. Being present in the moment for the client is crucial. Therefore, if the needs of the therapists are unattended to then the impact is detrimental to the quality of the session that is provided. If self-care is lacking persistently then there are chances that it can surface out at a later date in the counselling sessions. That is perhaps what kept surfacing for Lizel when she went in for a session.
Feelings like getting irritated with the client, missing out important points in the expressions of the client, misunderstanding what the client is saying, taking things personally, these are a few ways to understand that self-care is missing and much the need of the hour.
These aspects need to be addressed and talked about, either with a trusted colleague or a senior professional. If they are neglected then the above issues could arise in the course of work with clients.
“I will lose out – if I take time out for self-care.”
This statement is another myth that could possibly handicap most therapists. Especially those who have just started to work as therapists often might fall under the pressure of having to meet the standards of the senior therapists. In the bargain, there is a lot of unnecessary build-up of feelings and thoughts that might hamper progress.
Losing out on looking after oneself will have a direct impact on the performance at the work scenario. Therefore, it is important to take care of oneself – before being available to others in the form of a counselling session.
Take for instance, when taking a journey in the aircraft, one of the resounding sentences announced is to please secure the mask for yourself first before helping another. This is to make sure that you are not running out of air in the process of helping others out. Likewise, self-care is like the air that one needs to function properly.
Read more on the importance of self-care!
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