Tag: Mental Health

Being Who You Are…… The Authenticity of a Clinician

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“Why Did You Become A Clinician”?

I can remember when I first started out at a clinician, fresh out of my graduate program at South University and into the residential setting as a Social Service Counselor. I had no idea exactly what I was supposed to do.

True enough, I had not only successfully completed two internships during (out-patient substance abuse and in-patient psychiatric and dual diagnosis) my graduate studies but had also graduated my program with a solid GPA that was over the 3.0 mark, yet, I found myself nervous, scared, and feeling unprepared.

What if I said the wrong thing?

Better yet, would anything I said make sense to the patients or the staff?

I doubted myself and my ability considering I was just a novice clinician who really had not experience the world of counseling outside of what my graduate program afforded me.

11 years later, I find myself consistently reflecting on those days as I searched for my place within the world of counseling, trying not to just “fit” in but rather creating me an identity in which I feel comfortable and the most effective.

Man, those last few words really just struck a nerve within me.

“Create me an identity where I felt comfortable and the most effective”……………

All too often as clinicians we have this grand idea, especially after we complete our graduate program and begin out journey in the unknown within our chosen profession and career field, that we are going to secure the highest paying job, established amazing private practices, and becoming money making clinicians in no time.

We chase the dream of becoming like those whom we have come to admire in the field, yet, we overlook the fact that they too was once in our shoes and had to start somewhere.

We begin to place these unrealistic expectations upon ourselves and try to emulate others in hopes of attaining the same amount, if not more, success than they have had.

We become the seemingly tired mouse stuck in a cage running in circles over and over again, yet, we are still stuck and find ourselves tired, exhausted, overwhelmed, and even BURNED OUT!!!!

BURN OUT is very real in chosen profession and field. It will creep us on us before we know and kidnap us like no other. We find ourselves unable to be productive and even beginning to wonder if this field is even the field we want to work in.

In measuring our success against others we become discouraged as we feel we are not moving towards where we desire to be in such a quick timeframe.

The reality is, in your attempts to create the success of others for yourself, you lost your drive, your motivation, your inspiration for being a clinician.

You have been so worked out about getting what everyone else has that you never took the time to truly consider what it was that you wanted within the profession and developed you a plan that would allow you to fulfill your dreams and desires, absent of what everyone else is and/or was doing.

You forgot, along the way, why YOU decided to become a clinician? What inspired you? What motivates you? What is about this field that drew you to it?

All meaningful and thought-provoking questions that causes us to take a step back and truly reflect.

I can write this, not just from what I have been told but more from experience.

I was once that clinician who felt that I was just here. I had no clear direction as to what I wanted to do within the field of counseling or what my identity was going to be. I honestly was just following suit. But boy, did I soon learn a lesson.

Following suit did not get me far. My passion for the work was quickly deteriorating and I began to wonder if I had what it took to be successful in this field. Had I just wasted my money earning a degree, I was for certain I was even going to use?

It took doing some soul-searching and really taking a look in the mirror to begin to see that I was too busy stressing myself out about measuring up to everyone else and not being true to who I was and what I loved to do. It was time for me to develop my identity and flourish and that is what I have done over the years.

There will be those who are meant to be a clinician within the private practice setting, seeing 20-30 clients weekly, while there will be others who we find success working within organizations providing therapeutic services, clinical supervision, and so much more to a wide array of unique populations within the counseling field.

Today, I encourage to you remember that this journey is no one’s journey but your own. You should aspire to be your best self as a clinician each and every day, not comparing yourself to the next person, considering their journey is theirs and theirs alone.

Take some time to reflect and list all of the reasons that you made the decision to become a clinician.

EMERGE On!

Taking Care Of Ourselves….

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Another week is upon us and there is much work for us to do with our clients.

To be honest, it seems as if the work is never-ending and more work is added before know it.

Last Monday we focused on “Giving The Client What They Need”, but what about us?

How do we take care of ourselves in a field where burnout, compassion fatigue, and/or vicarious trauma is imminent?

Self-Care is the BEST Care!!!!!

We have to remember to NOT own our clients issue…..

We MUST have a safe and confidential outlet to express our feelings…..

We MUST engage in extra-curricular and/or leisure activities outside of our work…..

Leisure activities can range from simple brisk walk in the park to writing in a journal to gardening to listening to our favorite music, amd even spending time with family and friends.

Whatever it is you choose to do, make sure you are FOCUSED on yourself and allowing yourself to really enjoy the moment.

Our clients can be real selfish at times, monopolizing all of our time (whether they realize it or not).

We have to know we to say ENOUGH is ENOUGH and its time for me to have my time.

True enough, you want to help them become better individuals, but that doesn’t mean you have to thinl about them every second of every day.

What good are you to them, if you are not taking care of yourself, FIRST?

I encourage each of you to identify at least one thing you could do weekly for yourself, that has nothing to do with your clients or work, and engage and enjoy it.

You owe it to yourself to have a MOMENT for Self.

Have an Amazing Week!!!!

EMERGE On!

Giving Our Clients What They Need.. .

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There are times that we as therapists lose sight of what our clients need most—a genuine, nonreactive, empathic presence, authentic relationship, supportive change-validation, skill-building, and goal-directed activity.

Too often, mental health workers escalate clients’ distress by asserting too rigid a modality and too rational a mindset for the therapy to be therapeutic. In fact, I find that this principle is true often in marriage, parenting, clinical supervision, and in many other relationships we encounter in our daily lives.

Carl Whitaker argued that therapy should be a complex emotional experience, not “intellectual nagging”(Napier, 1977). We are complex creatures, most effectively engaged at multiple levels of awareness and being. Moments of emotion have ignited wars. We are far from purely rational creatures. The world is not a purely rational place. Why should therapy be?

When our approach with clients is too rigid or too directive, it naturally provokes resistance.

Here are a few tips to decrease resistance and promote a healthy therapeutic relationships with our clients:

● Respect clients’ autonomy: Our clients shoud never feel that we are making a choice or decision for them. They should feel free to make the choices and decisions they feel are best for them. Encourage and promote independence.

● Validate pre-existing strengths, current readiness or motivation to change (even when it may be low), and positive steps already being taken toward therapeutic goals.

● Meet your clients where they are in the process. Encourage them to feel their difficult emotions in the face of unconditional acceptance in order to begin working through them rather than merely talking about them.

Wishing each of you a Productive week!

EMERGE On!

References:

Napier, A. Y. (1977). “Follow-up to divorce labyrinth.” In P. Papp (Ed.), Family therapy: Full-length case studies. New York: Gardner Press.

A Catalyst For Change…..

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It is that time that we prepare to embark upon another week of working with our clients to provide them with the most effective therapeutic services we can.

While I would love to focus on our clients this week, I feel that it is more important that I focus more on us as clinicians and how we are feeling.

These past weeks, as most of you are aware, was a very trying time for our Country.

I know you are wondering, how does what is happening all over the world relate to as well as impact each of us as clinicians.

We find ourselves, watching the news for each possible update, focusing on the rhetoric that is being stated by the media, political figures, and even our social media friends and/or family members. We find ourselves having to deal with everyone’s feelings and emotions and at times, placing our feelings and emotions on the back-burner.

The reality is, before we are Clinicians, we are HUMANS first.

On a Personal Level:

We have to remember that in order for us to be effective within the counseling setting, we have to make ourselves our 1st PRIORITY. Take the time to really cope with your feelings regarding the situations, in a healthy manner. Seek out peers to talk to, go for a walk, mediate, pray, and even TURN OFF the TV and take a timeout.

From a clinical standpoint:

While it is easy to form an opinion on what is taking place in the world, what have to be mindful to not allow such to distort our perceptions and hinder our ability to maintain a non-bias stance when working with our clients, regardless of their beliefs, behaviors, affiliations, etc. We never know who we will face as clients and that we are “CATALYST for CHANGE”.

I can only imagine how each of you may be feeling, as I too have my own feelings. Lets remember to take care of ourselves during such times in the world and empower others to do the same. Let’s be the example that others strive to become.

We are CATALYST for CHANGE!!!!!!!!!

EMERGE On!

We Must Act……

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Systematic racism and police violence have stolen lives of Black Americans from communities across the country.

As clinicians, it is our responsibility to recognize the plight faced by our African American clients and their allies and must fight to correct these injustices. We must invest and stay active in these efforts, especially when they aren’t the focus of the media. The events in recent days, weeks and month have provided another all-too-often reminder of this.

As we work to provide a wide array of services to our African American clients and their allies at the forefront of these issues, I implore you to make a few promises.

First, promise that you will continually uplift and call attention to these injustices. We should not only hear your voice on this issue when it is the focus of the media, but also hear your voice when it is not the focus of the media attention. Promise that you will address and fight for these issues proactively, not reactively.

Promise that you will hold space for African Americans to process their emotions and thoughts as well as empower them.

Promise that you will become familiar with and utilize both multicultural and social justice counseling advocacy interventions.

Lastly, promise that you will promote and collaborate with organizations focused on ending these injustices.

As a fellow clinician, I call on you to hold each other as well as yourself accountable to these promises and our African American clients, their families, and our/their communities.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month…..

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Do You Know Your Tools2Thrive?

While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. The good news is there are practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency – and there are ways that everyone can be supportive of friends, family, and co-workers who are struggling with life’s challenges or their mental health.

This May is Mental Health Month we are highlighting #Tools2Thrive – what individuals can do daily to prioritize their mental health, build resiliency in the face of trauma and obstacles, support those who are struggling, and work towards a path of recovery.

One of the easiest tools anyone can use is taking a mental health screen at mhascreening.org when they need answers. It’s a quick, free, and private way for people to assess their mental health and recognize signs of mental health problems.

This May, we are also exploring topics that can help you build your own set of #Tools2Thrive – recognizing and owning your feelings; finding the positive after loss; connecting with others; eliminating toxic influences; creating healthy routines; and supporting others – all as ways to boost the mental health and general wellness of you and your loved ones.

When it comes to your feelings, it can be easy to get caught up in your emotions as you’re feeling them. Most people don’t think about what emotions they are dealing with but taking the time to really identify what you’re feeling can help you to better cope with challenging situations. It’s ok to give yourself permission to feel. We also know that life can throw us curveballs – and at some point in our lives we will all experience loss. It may be the end of a relationship, being let go from a job, losing a home, or the death of a loved one. It is natural to go through a grieving process. By looking for opportunity in adversity or finding ways to remember the good things about who or what we’ve lost, we can help ourselves to recover mentally and emotionally.

It also is true that connections and the people around us can help our overall mental health – or hurt it. It’s important to make connections with other people that help enrich our lives and get us through tough times, but it’s equally important to recognize when certain people and situations in life can trigger us to feel bad or engage in destructive behaviors. Identifying the toxic influences in our lives and taking steps to create a new life without them can improve mental and physical health over time. And we know that work, paying bills, cleaning, getting enough sleep, and taking care of children are just some of the things we do each day – and it is easy to be overwhelmed. By creating routines, we can organize our days in such a way that taking care of tasks and ourselves becomes a pattern that makes it easier to get things done without having to think hard about them.

For each of us, the tools we use to keep us mentally healthy will be unique. But we are wanting everyone to know that mental illnesses are real, and recovery is possible. Finding what work for you may not be easy but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes. By developing your own #Tools2Thrive, it is possible to find balance between work and play, the ups and downs of life, and physical health and mental health – and set yourself on the path to recovery.

For more information, visit www.mhanational.org/may.

Living on High Alert: COVID-19, Fear, and the Brain Part One: Understanding the Emotional Response

During this unprecedented time of COVID-19 many are experiencing one of the oldest reactions, also known as an emotional response, known to humans, FEAR.

FEAR of going out in the public…

FEAR of being in close proximity of others…

FEAR of contracting and/or being diagnosed with COVID-19…

FEAR of the potential consequences of contracting and/or being diagnosed with COVID-19…

FEAR of potentially infecting others with the virus, unintentionally…

FEAR of being asymptomatic and not knowing one has the virus…

FEAR of family members, especially those who are elderly and/or have significant medical concerns, contracting COVID-19…

FEAR of losing loved ones, close friends, and/or co-workers due to complications from COVID-19…

FEAR of what will happen to the world and its people…

FEAR of not being able to pay one’s bills…

FEAR of losing one’s job…

FEAR of not having enough money to buy food and/or necessities…

FEAR of going to the store and there are no necessities left for one to purchase…

FEAR of just about any and every things that is associated with this bleak time in our country’s history…

So where does one’s emotional response, more specifically FEAR, to COVID-19 originates?

Fear, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is an unpleasant and often strong emotion caused by the anticipation of danger (Merriam-Webster, 2020). It often initiates in the brain and extends throughout one’s body making adjustments for what it considers to be the best way to defend oneself.

The most common defense is known as the flight or fight response. This response originates in the region of the brain called the amygdala. The amygdala is an almond shaped cluster of nuclei located in the temporal lobes of the brain has several functions.

One of those functions is the processing of and controlling one’s emotional responses. Therefore, the amygdala not only processes the fear one may experience but is also controls the fear being experienced, which has been associated with most emotional disorders.

Now I am sure you are trying to figure what all of that means and if I was you, I would too.

Ultimately, COVID-19 has triggered a fear response in the amygdala of many, activating several areas in their brains needed to prepare the flight or fight motor functions responses.

As a result of the amygdala experiencing a response to the fear associated with COVID-19, several bodily reactions can, have, and will take place.

Those reactions include the following: dilated pupils, increased breathing as the bronchi begins to dilate resulting in an elevated heart rate and the potential for one’s blood pressure to rise, sweating, inability to sleep and/or restlessness, goose bumps, digestive issues, and many more physical responses.

Fear, as an emotional response, can be very taxing on one’s. However, it is important to note the response is different among individuals.

While it may seem and even feel scary, fear is one of the most important emotions one can experience as it influences how one may respond to situations that could potentially cause harm to you.

How has the FEAR you are experiencing due to COVID-19 influenced your daily routine?

Be on the lookout of Part 2: Understanding One’s Cognitive Response as a Result of their Emotional Response in the coming weeks!

References:

Amen, D. G. (2000) Change Your Brain, Change Your Life: The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Depression, Obsessiveness, Anger, and Impulsiveness. New York: Times Books.

“Fear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fear. Accessed 27 Apr. 2020.

COVID-19 & Distancing: It’s More PHYSICAL than it is SOCIAL!!!!!

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For many, adapting to the this new-normal brought about by the unprecedented coronavirus, also know as COVID-19, has been quite difficult.

We are consistently thinking about and yearning for what use to be our normal lives.

We aren’t as active as we once were, with many confined to their homes unless they are leaving for essential purposes, which includes work, grocery shopping, medical appointments and so forth. But let’s be real even those essential activities seem very isolating given the physical distancing guidelines of six feets (6 fts.).

Notice that I have re-termed the phrase “social” distancing to “PHYSICAL” distancing.

I am sure you are probably wondering why I did such and the explanation is quite simple.

When I hear the term “social” distancing, I immediately cringe because the reality is that while we have to maintain a “physical” distance from our peers and individuals in our community we live in a time where we are still able to interact socially with one another through the use of technology (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, video messaging services, virtual services, etc), . Therefore, we are practicing “PHYSICAL” distancing and not “social” distancing

We, as humans, thrive on social interaction and being able to communicate with others is such a necessity in our lives.

Social interaction is pivotal to individuals, young and old, overall development. Social interaction influences ones physical, emotional, and mental state. More specifically, social interaction has been found to boosted ones mood, reducing their risk for depression, provide sharper mind by giving individual the opportunity to engage in instrumental cognitive processing and reduces ones risk for severe and chronic medical illness.

Althougth COVID-19 has significantly impacted the world, we do not have to allow it to adversely effect how we interact with others.

Yes, it may take some creativity on our behalf and no we may not be able to interact with others how we use to, but what is important and that we can still interact with others.

Send emails…..

Schedule video calls…….

Host virtual get-togethers and even secure/supervised virtual play dates for your children…….

Have conference calls….

Do whatever it takes, within the context of the “physical” distancing to ensure you are still engaging in social interaction with your loved one and friends.

Just because COVID-19 has limited us physically, we should not allow it to limit us socially.

Let’s practice “Physical” distancing while engaging in “Social” interactions!

Self-Care if the Best Care……. A Reminder for Counselors during COVID-19!

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I am sure by now your days and weeks are now running together and you are unsure of how much longer you can endure the new normal we are all trying our best to adjust to.

Our clients have begun experiencing a heightened sense of anxiety and our families seem to not understand exactly why we are having to, for some still go to work, and why others are having to find a quiet place in our homes to so that we can still provide counseling services during this uncertain and chaotic time.

I can only imagine that this all seems to much for even you, the HELPER and EMPHATIC Counselor, can bear; yet, in it all you are handling the intense pressure well.

Today, I wanted to ask you one question…………

How are you taking care of yourself during COVID-19?

Self Care is the Best Care and in these day and weeks SELF-CARE will be paramount to your ability to continue providing the services that you are to your clients, as well as maintain your health and overall well-being.

While it sounds good to say that you are practicing mindfulness or using stress relieving activities, the reality of it is that none of these techniques and/or activities will be beneficial to you if you are not taking good care of yourself.

But isn’t utilizing techniques such as mindfulness and/or engaging in stress relieving activities what taking care of yourself consist of?

Sure it is, to some extent, however, there is more to taking care of yourself that just therapeutic techniques and stress-relieving activities.

Taking care of ourselves, personally and professionally, consist of many aspects of our lives across various domains.

Physical Self-Care involves us making sure that we are getting adequate sleep, eating healthy, and engaging in exercise on a very consistent, or should I say DAILY basis?

Social Self-Care requires us to make sure that we are maintaining healthy and meaningful relationships with others, to include our significant other, children, other family members and our friends. Social Self-Care also requires us to have healthy communication and time spent engaging in activities that would nurture those relationships that are meaningful.

Intellectual Self-Care includes us doing things that will stimulate and fuel our mind/brain, as well as our creativity, to include: reading books, learning something new, drawing, coloring, completing puzzles, etc.

Spiritual Self-Care is about us as individual developing a deeper sense of meaning and understanding, as well as having a connection with the universe.

A-Vocational Self-Care involves us engaging in those leisure activities we enjoy doing, to include: writing poetry, taking a walk, playing video games, gardening, playing basketball, etc.

Emotional Self-Care is how we deal with and manage those unhealthy and uncomfortable emotions that we are experiencing. Emotional Self-Care includes activities that will help you identify, acknowledge, and express your emotions in an healthy manner on a consistent basis.

Economic Self-Care involves how we manage our finances, automobiles (transportation), and homes (living arrangements).

………………………….. and lastly;

Occupational Self-Care involves are ability to enjoy the work that we are doing and establish and maintain a work-home life balance.

Having realized that Self-Care involve so many domains, what we realize is that self-care is not a one size fits all strategy.

Ultimately, your self-care is specific to you as a person and professional and I encourage you to begin developing your a self-care plan today. You don’t have to tackle every area immediately, but rather, I encourage you to identify those areas in which you struggle more often than not and begin identifying activities that you can do so that you are not struggling and begin taking better care of yourself.

When care for yourself, you will find that you are able to doing things more effectively and efficiently.

Schedule time each day to focus on your individual needs and begin making your self-care a priority!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

* Please note that the self-care domains are adapted from Dr. Karla Sapp’s “WHOLE-Self Paradigm of Wellbeing”. For more information or to learn about the “WHOLE-Self Paradigm of Well-Being”, please feel free to contact Dr. Sapp. *