Have you ever felt the weight of your clients' struggles lingering long after your sessions end? Spent evenings and weekends fretting over whether you used the right interventions, or should have tried something different?  We sure have, and we know we aren’t alone in this.  That’s why in this episode, we’re shining a light on the hazards of the mental health profession—those challenges that often go unspoken but can weigh heavily on our shoulders. 

And what if we told you that acknowledging these challenges could be the first step toward building a more resilient practice? Join us as we uncover some unexpected truths about working in the mental health field, as well as share insights to help you embrace the complexity of our work while prioritizing your own well-being.

Episode Highlights:

• Understanding the hazards – inherent challenges including challenging patient behaviours, emotional depletion, psychic isolation, and more
• Particular impact of the uncertainty of success
• Risks of highly valuing our work
• Repeat as needed:  Psychotherapy is one of the most taxing endeavours known to mankind
• Self-Care Experiments:  
  • Know your risks
  • Create a strategic resilience plan
  • Build your ability to tolerate uncertainty
  • Reflect on your 4 C’s

Resources Mentioned:

• Book:  Leaving It at the Office by Drs. John Norcross and Gary VandenBos
• Book:  The Resilience Plan by Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier
• Visit our website to get your own copy of our FREE 4 C's Self-Care Assessment:  https://www.intentionaltherapist.ca

Connect with Melissa & Karen at Intentional Therapist:
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmelissatiessen/

Share one of your own self-care experiments via our SpeakPipe page at: https://www.speakpipe.com/intentionaltherapist

Ready to upgrade your self-care? Check out the independent study version of our course, Thrivival Skills for Therapists, and earn 3 CE credits! Because self-care is PART OF our jobs! More info at: https://intentional-therapist.newzenler.com/courses/thrivival-skills-for-therapists-independent-study

Disclaimer: This podcast seeks to be educational in purpose and is not to be used as clinical advice. Please connect with a therapist one-on-one for personalized support.