We know ... and still

IN THE THERAPIST'S MIND - NOTE TO SELF -

SELF CARE, let's approach this notion, so we know a little more what we are talking about

I know this 'note to self' about self-care is not to be remembered, but to have with me at all times; like the pen I am carrying ... to take my notes

Before learning any technique, theory, new trend, new research result …

clinical work requests self-awareness.

If I were to become a speaker one day [would love that !] this would be my first and last message with many hypnotic re affirmations in-between ;)

Self-awareness is the very first step for emotion management.

We observe, we approach, we discover, se see, we sense,

we can be surprised … or not

we can be disgusted … or not

we can be angry … or not

we can be at peace … or not

we can be … anything any human can be

as therapist, we only are human with emotions that sometimes we carry?[or do they carry us at times ?!]

How about the integrity of our work ?

We know, right, that what we can choose to pause on, is not criticizing the fact that we hold unhelpful-for-the-therapy emotions, but

that we meet them and find a way to manage them for the support of that therapy

Learning our patterns and interrupt them when need be

That therapist self-awareness, as far as I am concerned, can be implemented via

. therapy

. supervision

these are as important as training

those who know me heard this song again and again and again

???

A therapist’s job is not to complain because a client does not show up at the appointment, they agreed to book the previous week [heard that as well ?]

The work with an individual is about the individual.

What that work triggers in us belongs to that self-care space. Period. Our job to manage this.

A therapist’s job is to understand the meta-functioning of the person they are working with: why, in that person’s history, not showing up makes sense ?

???

A therapist’s job is not to become angry because a client has not paid their session

A therapist’s job is to put a clear frame in place to make sure they are being paid

if failing, work on that anger before connecting to that client.

The non-payment is part of that therapeutic relationship

???

. . .

Back to my ‘note to self’:

Pia, yesterday, you had too many appointment for one day

yep I had. I felt emotionally drained as I did not have enough in place to reset my mind, body and brain, despite the self-care tools I used

I don’t know what exactly happened, but it seemed that each situation was holding much pain and despair

Empathy, compassion, check the difference Pia; Yep, one of my tools baby !

Still.

Heavy heart, low energy by the end of the day

Part of our journey as therapist.

Nothing new !

Still essential reminder. Whatever our experience.

I am glad I went to the pub to celebrate a friend’s birthday with my most precious expat’s family

and I am glad for my supervision session today.