Why Self-Care Matters?
There is no one right way to be a psychologist. Whether you have got here through a Masters, PhD, +2, +1; whether you are endorsed or not; whatever type of psychologist you are, I am staking my life on it that you entered this profession to help others, to make their life better, and probably to make your own life better. When you scratch the surface it's amazing how many mental health professionals have had early trauma or difficult times that have inspired them into this industry.
To remain in this industry, to survive and thrive, there are a few things that you need to know: an awareness of the challenges, including the high rate of burnout, a support network, firm boundaries, intentional self-care, and an understanding of your legal and ethical requirements.
When I graduated and started my psychology career over 15 years ago, I did not know one other psychologist, I had no peers and no mentors.
I completed my Masters as a part-time mature student with two very young children and a husband as a first responder, doing rotating shifts..
On graduation I was straight away offered work in a private practice, which was so exciting. However, over time all I really came to know was that practice. Their policies and procedures, their client base. The owner was a wonderful psychologist, but my knowledge of psychology as a professional world was very limited.
So at first I soaked all this in, then I struggled. I really had nowhere to go with my thoughts, to figure out what clientele I actually wanted to see, to understand the bigger world of psychology..
An added complication was the navigating through the political division that exploded around the time I was struggling to find my feet as a psychologist.
Remember, this was pre Facebook.
Fast forward to today where I work as a solo psychologist and get to make all the decisions about how my business looks and what I focus on. Where I am supported in formal and informal networks of business and professional peers.
As part of my journey, I worked on intentional self-care including constructing a support network and tightening my boundaries.
Now I work to assist other psychologists, especially early career psychologists, in setting up their essential self-care as early as possible.
To remain in this industry, to survive and thrive, there are a few things that you need to know: an awareness of the challenges, including the high rate of burnout, a support network, firm boundaries, intentional self-care, and an understanding of your legal and ethical requirements.
When I graduated and started my psychology career over 15 years ago, I did not know one other psychologist, I had no peers and no mentors.
I completed my Masters as a part-time mature student with two very young children and a husband as a first responder, doing rotating shifts..
On graduation I was straight away offered work in a private practice, which was so exciting. However, over time all I really came to know was that practice. Their policies and procedures, their client base. The owner was a wonderful psychologist, but my knowledge of psychology as a professional world was very limited.
So at first I soaked all this in, then I struggled. I really had nowhere to go with my thoughts, to figure out what clientele I actually wanted to see, to understand the bigger world of psychology..
An added complication was the navigating through the political division that exploded around the time I was struggling to find my feet as a psychologist.
Remember, this was pre Facebook.
Fast forward to today where I work as a solo psychologist and get to make all the decisions about how my business looks and what I focus on. Where I am supported in formal and informal networks of business and professional peers.
As part of my journey, I worked on intentional self-care including constructing a support network and tightening my boundaries.
Now I work to assist other psychologists, especially early career psychologists, in setting up their essential self-care as early as possible.
What is Essential Self-Care for Psychologists?
Essential Self-Care for Psychology is an approach to combat the many stressors that psychologists face: including burnout, political division, isolation, and a high mental load. It focuses on practical, positive and proactive ways to use strategies we know work to enhance wellbeing. These are divided into five foundations: self-care physical, cognitive, emotional, connection and meaning.
Research into self-care shows that Psychologists as a profession tend to neglect their own self-care and dismiss some of the early warning signs of burnout. Essential Self-Care for Psychology membership and programs aims to turn this around so that as mental health leaders we are leading the way in looking after our own wellbeing.
Call it cliched, but two of my integral values are being of service and reducing isolation. I'm at a stage now where I want to use all my lived experience and professional knowledge to support you to survive and thrive as a psychologist as part of the Essential Self-Care for Psychologists Community.
Research into self-care shows that Psychologists as a profession tend to neglect their own self-care and dismiss some of the early warning signs of burnout. Essential Self-Care for Psychology membership and programs aims to turn this around so that as mental health leaders we are leading the way in looking after our own wellbeing.
Call it cliched, but two of my integral values are being of service and reducing isolation. I'm at a stage now where I want to use all my lived experience and professional knowledge to support you to survive and thrive as a psychologist as part of the Essential Self-Care for Psychologists Community.
FREE TIPS AND GOODIES
If you are looking for positive, practical ways on how to survive and thrive as a psychologist, you are invited to join the Essential Self-Care for Psychologists FREE Community to access tips and goodies direct to your inbox on a semi regular basis. (usually about every fortnight). My top Five Tips to survive and thrive as a psychologist.
THE SELF-CARE MENU
- Are you treating your clients better than yourself?