HOW MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS CAN PRACTICE SELF-CARE, OVERCOME GRIEF, & BE GRATEFUL DURING THE PANDEMIC
Therapists give great advice, but we don’t have all the answers, especially when it comes to self-reflection. There is no better time than now for therapists to speak to a therapist of their own. Besides listening to the troubles of all our clients during sessions, therapists have families of our own who we are responsible for making tough decisions for. For example, I am a mom of two school age sons. Because of distance learning, one of my sons became bored and was really struggling. My husband and I had to make the tough decision to send him back to in-person learning as soon as his school re-opened. While we realize there was risk of exposure involved, we saw greater risk in him potentially becoming depressed by having zero social interaction. Quarantine does NOT mean isolation. Social distancing is the goal. We NEED connection to others even if we cannot make physical contact. Overcoming Grief
The landscape of mental health has changed dramatically during the pandemic. Even mental health practitioners are feeling the negative affects. To be present mentally and physically for clients, psychotherapists need to not only tell clients to practice self-care, but therapists need to set time aside for their own self-care. Counselors are not immune to burnout. We are just as human as our clients. When I felt the COVID fatigue set in, I took a few days off to go on a fishing trip. I found that unplugging and being one with nature was relaxing and refreshing. I felt rejuvenated when I returned to my office and could offer my best self to my clients. Psychotherapists are a primary source of hope. Clients come to us and depend on us to give them hope that their problems can be resolved. Yet, we therapists may have reached a point of feeling hopeless ourselves.
A popular model suggests that grief is experienced in five stages—shock and denial, bargaining, anger, depression, and acceptance. I believe guilt and accounting for an adjustment period should be included as well. Exercise and expressing yourself in creative outlets are two examples of healthy coping mechanisms as you work through the stages of grief. Whether COVID-related or not, many of us have experienced the loss of a loved one within the last year. I lost my dad in March 2020, so I had a year of firsts without him, such as the first Christmas. That void was felt and will continue to be felt. My professional training tells me that the first year is the most difficult because new traditions are being formed. Because it is unhealthy for grief to be all-consuming, I limit myself to brief sessions. I set a five minute timer and allow myself that moment to let it 27 INSESSION APRIL 2021
