Psychotherapy is an increasingly stressful profession. Yet therapists spend most of their time helping clients deal with their stress, not caring for their own. This book is designed as a tool for the experienced counselor, junior therapist, and graduate student, as the issues confronted and discussed herein are relevant to anyone in the field, regardless of experience or expertise. Dr. Weiss has written a book in an easy, conversational tone, filled with concrete examples and blending research findings, clinical experience and theoretical approaches into practical suggestions and sound advice. The book is divided into three parts, discussing therapist concerns and questions that are continually raised, and providing practical tools based on clinical experience and research findings. It will be useful to all mental health professionals who have felt the strain of their practice.

“Bite-sized” self-care strategies that any therapist can easily practice. For mental health professionals who must regularly guard against compassion fatigue and secondary traumatization, intentional self-care isn’t just essential; it’s a survival tool. If therapists don’t take proper care of themselves, they can’t do their work effectively. Taking up an exercise program, going on a vacation, turning to supportive social networks, while helpful remedies to the stresses of the job, are not always feasible and the results are often only short term. Synthesizing the latest thinking in mindfulness, neuroscience, energy medicine, and spiritual disciplines, Simple Self-Care for Therapists offers immediate relief in doable, bite-sized nuggets—easy exercises that can be seamlessly integrated into your current workday routine with little fuss. Over 60 restorative practices are presented—tools for (1) grounding, (2) energizing, and (3) relaxing—organized as antidotes to the most common pathologies that therapists suffer: vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout. Bush, a therapist with over 25 years of experience, walks readers through the descriptions and simple implementation of each practice, with illuminating stories from her own professional experiences. Whether you’re in a staff meeting, conducting a therapy session, writing a progress report, or attending a workshop, these convenient exercises can be dipped into as needed. A go-to resource of self-care tools, every therapist, no matter their background or approach, now has the ability to prevent stress, avoid internalization, revive their spirit, and restore a sense of well-being.

Addresses a topic that is vitally important to therapists, offering a positive approach to enjoying their chosen profession, being the best they can be at it, and tackling or preventing burnout. The author leads the journey to self-awareness and self-care among psychology professionals. This book demonstrates a way to balance personal and professional lives by tending physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, and the need to feel connected. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved).

Cover -- Half Title Page -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Dedication -- About the Authors -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Contents -- 1. Valuing the Person of the Psychotherapist -- 2. Refocusing on the Rewards -- 3. Recognizing the Hazards -- 4. Minding the Body -- 5. Nurturing Relationships -- 6. Setting Boundaries -- 7. Restructuring Cognitions -- 8. Sustaining Healthy Escapes -- 9. Maintaining Mindfulness -- 10. Creating a Flourishing Environment -- 11. Profiting from Personal Therapy -- 12. Cultivating Spirituality and Mission -- 13. Fostering Creativity and Growth -- References -- Index.

Self-care is critical for effective and ethical counseling practice and this inspirational book offers diverse, realistic perspectives on how to achieve work–life balance and personal wellness from graduate school through retirement. In addition to the authors’ unique perspectives as professionals at different stages of their careers, guest contributors—ranging from graduate students, to new professionals, to seasoned counselors—share their experiences and thoughts about self-care, including what challenges them most. Both personal and conversational in tone, this book will help you to create your own practical self-care action plan through reflection on important issues, such as managing stress, establishing personal and professional boundaries, enhancing relationships, and finding meaning in life.

Mental health professionals spend their days helping others, but who is there to help them when stress and burnout threaten their own well-being? Filled with self-assessments, journaling exercises, and activities designed to facilitate renewal, growth, and change, this timely book helps clinicians help themselves with coverage of career threatening issues, such as fear of failure, loss of confidence, and the financial stress and loss of autonomy that many clinician's experience as a result of managed care and its constraints.

Nearly half of all mental health providers have histories of abuse and family dysfunction, and almost one in five has experienced suicidal ideation. Many therapists and counselors suffer under the weight of their clients' mental health struggles. All practitioners must learn to practice self-care. Mental health providers are mindful listeners, problem-solvers, curious inquisitors, supporters, perspective-shifters, consultants, diagnosticians, body regulators, cheerleaders, coaches, guides, and healers. To do all this requires considerable personal reserves. Caring for themselves, as people and professionals, is imperative. This book addresses the dearth in today's self-care training by presenting a sustainable approach that is integrative, holistic, and developmentally flexible. When therapists feel deserving of self-care, when their values orient and shape their self-care behaviors and mindset, when mindful awareness of their needs comes frequently and with relative ease, and when their routines, practices, and activities are integrated rather than sporadic and fragmented, they can begin to practice sustainable self-care.