Is The Emotional Intensity Of Your Work Creating Adverse Circumstances In Your Life?

Are you a therapist, mental health professional, or caregiver in need of self-care and stress management? Do you feel drained after long days of working to emotionally support others? Has an absence of boundaries offset your sense of work-life balance?

You may be experiencing burnout or compassion fatigue due to the nature of your work. Or perhaps you are feeling triggered by the degree of trauma that you encounter in your role. You may have noticed the sensation of “emotional multitasking” occurring during sessions with clients. All of these factors may have contributed to low-grade depression, fatigue, or difficulty motivating yourself.

Furthermore, your supportive role likely doesn’t end at work but instead follows you home as you tend to the needs of your family. And so, you may experience the professional challenges of being a therapist, along with the feeling that no space exists for you to decompress and practice self-care. Yet you understand better than most that the only way to be effective both at home and at work is to be emotionally present and available to those around you. 

If you find yourself looking for a space to breathe and process during an emotionally intense workweek, therapy for therapists can help you to heal, gain perspective, and re-energize.

Despite Our Expertise, We Are Subject To Human Emotions And Struggles

As therapists, we are trained to recognize stressors and maintain the coping mechanisms to manage them. Often, we act as the archetype of the “wounded healer” in that we understand the pain of others because we have known it ourselves. This is usually what creates the impetus for cultivating the compassion needed to be an effective counselor and an empathetic listener. 

Our job subjects us to vicarious trauma and higher rates of compassion fatigue. Yet given the nature of our work, we are not accustomed to being in positions of vulnerability. And when it comes time to ask for help or perspective from another therapist who understands the unique dilemmas we face in this profession, we may feel as though we need to rely on ourselves for answers. 

Moreover, the majority of graduate programs in counseling do not require or encourage their students to participate in therapy themselves. This is a missed opportunity to cultivate work-stress management skills and to gain the perspective of clients who are in need of help and guidance. As such, the idea of therapy for therapists is not normalized or widespread.

The truth is that our jobs are emotionally and physically taxing as is, and even more so during the period of global health crisis we are currently facing. COVID has added a whole new dimension to therapist burnout, between the need to make decisions about how to operate our practice and meeting the increasing demand of clients who are struggling. 

While you may have cultivated the practical skills needed to be an effective therapist, you do not need to be alone in confronting the stress, pain, and emotional fatigue associated with the challenges of being a therapist. We are creatures who are wired to bond and connect, and allowing someone else to hold the space for you that you hold for others can serve as a catalyst for healing and repair.

Therapists Benefit From Therapy Too

Self-care is essential for any individual, but mental health professionals can overlook this aspect of life when the demands of the job build up. Therapy gives you the opportunity to take off your therapist’s hat and step into the position of vulnerability as you are given a safe space to explore and process your experiences. Having a person who can empathize with you on both a personal and professional level can open up the door to new opportunities of understanding yourself and your clients. 

We will begin by discussing your challenges and the areas where you feel you need support. I will follow your lead throughout the sessions while also providing perspective and clarification as needed. Together, we will develop strategies for meeting your emotional and professional goals. If you are struggling with the emotional intensity of your work, we will explore the simple pleasures and activities you can integrate into your daily schedule. And if you require clarity on stress management, we will develop strategies for maintaining the reserves in your proverbial tank. 

The most important thing is to permit yourself to have as much compassion for you as you have for your clients. Despite our profession, we are not exempt from human emotions, burnout, and stress. And as believers in the potential for self-improvement, we know that change is possible and that there are always new opportunities for healing. We must be prepared to apply the same skills and coping mechanisms that we encourage our clients to engage in. Our jobs oblige us to be emotionally available in order to effectively support others. 

Therapists need support, too. So, allow me to help and support you. 

Since 1995, I have been providing emotionally focused therapy to clients from all walks of life. I understand the intense, dynamic, and transformative work involved in this career, and I look forward to providing support to you as you seek to flourish professionally and personally.

Perhaps you are a therapist considering therapy for yourself, but you have some questions…

I feel like an inadequate therapist/counselor for seeking help or emotional support related to the profession. 

We are all human and, thus, we are all vulnerable. There is no shame in asking for help. And while it may be difficult to acknowledge that you need an outside perspective on the professional and personal challenges you face, exploring your vulnerability will actually help you to become a better therapist. If you can step into the position of your clients every once in a while, you will be better suited to help and support them. After all, I believe that vulnerability is precisely the place where we locate our strengths. 

I am seeking more professional guidance or consultation than emotional support. Is that something you can offer? 

Absolutely. If you are a graduate student or just starting out in the field, I can help you navigate the beginning of your career. If, on the other hand, you are a seasoned therapist in need of perspective from someone with advanced training and comparable experience, I can offer that too. Our time together can be designed as consultations or mentorship sessions depending on your professional needs.

How can we ensure discretion during our sessions? 

Confidentiality within a network of therapists is of the utmost importance. If you are concerned about discretion, we can make sure that all sessions are done in a way that protects your privacy. If that means scheduling our sessions via telehealth, as opposed to in person, or finding other means of ensuring confidentiality, we can discuss what will make you feel secure and comfortable.

Access The Self-Compassion Needed To Thrive Personally And Professionally

If you are a therapist, counselor, or in an emotionally supportive profession, therapy can help you to process the intense nature of your work and build stress management skills. To schedule a session, contact me via my website or call (860) 906-7062 today.

Have Any Questions? Send A Message Today!

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