A Note of Encouragement from One Therapist to Another

Are you having a hard time transitioning to telehealth? Are you working longer hours than expected? Are you resting? Are you eating? Are you up late writing notes? Wait, are you still in the same spot from your last session?

Stop what you're doing and take a moment.

It took me almost three weeks to realize that my self-care routine needed to be adjusted. Clinicians around the world courageously stepped up to help others adjust to new realities amidst COVID-19 that some of us have yet to process ourselves. Holding people’s anxieties and worries, learning how to set-up telehealth, managing new appointments, attending trainings and meetings—not to mention managing our own personal lives—can be draining.

It’s okay to express that. That doesn’t mean you aren’t equipped for this work or you don’t care about your clients. We are ordinary people who have needs also. Have you checked in with yourself? Are you okay? Are you being supported?

Stop what you’re doing and take a moment.

We share with our clients throughout the day how to take better care of themselves while inadvertently neglecting our own care at times. I have been intentional at the start of my day, in-between clients, and when my day is over to stop and take a moment. These moments may look like:

• Taking deep breaths
• Meal prepping
• Stretching
• Listening to a song
• Texting a friend
• Laughing
• Listening to a podcast
• Praying and meditating on scripture
• Talking to a therapist

What do your moments look like? I encourage you to write a list of self-care acts that you can rotate in your routine. Check-in with your colleagues and see what they are doing. Get creative!

Our work is essential but so is your self-care. If you don’t consider yourself, you won’t be able to provide adequate care.

Keep your therapist friends in mind during this crucial time. Check in with them, be a listening ear, and allow those who need solitude, time to think, or time to “do nothing” to have it.

From one therapist to another, you got this!

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