Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/142672
A regular group you can count on is even more valuable. It takes some energy to organize such a group, but having a consistent source of support is well worth the effort. If you start a group, set it up with care. A meeting where people just come to gripe won't be helpful to any of you (although some venting can be useful). Discuss what people want from the group and decide which suggestions are positive and useful. (One ground rule should be not to violate clients' confidentiality when discussing your work.) Support from Teachers We all need teachers. Whether it's one on one or a workshop setting, being challenged to learn something new keeps our interest in our work alive. For example, you can cultivate an informal arrangement with a mentor, someone who is more experienced than you are, who can offer suggestions about issues, business matters, or practice building. Call a teacher or colleague you respect and ask if you may take her to lunch to discuss your career. Most people are happy to pass on their wisdom; and you'll no doubt benefit from their years of experience. Our work requires skills in handling the professional relationship, yet often we haven't received training in this area. After we've started practicing, it's common to run into problems with situations or clients that stump us. More and more manual therapists are seeking consultation from someone—either another bodyworker or a mental health professional—who is trained in psychological dynamics. This kind of consultation isn't for personal therapy, but to gain insight into work-related issues. If you're having trouble setting limits with clients, not knowing how to deal with demanding clients, or just plain burned out, you might want to contemplate this option. Sometimes we just need help in working well with a particularly difficult client. Untangling your relationships with clients and broadening your understanding of how to work with them can bring more enjoyment to your work day, giving you a new lease on your work life. Outside Friends and Activities If all your friends are connected to your work, and you always end up talking about work during your free time, consider asking for a limit on work discussions or widening your circle of friends. Even if you love what you do, taking a break from it can be a relief. It's important to build into our lives activities that nourish our minds and bodies, such as yoga or meditation. However, we also need outside activities that are purely for pleasure. Experiment, and develop a range of activities that help you feel good about yourself and your life. Vacations It's easy to neglect vacations. If you work for yourself or are concerned about money, taking time off may seem like a luxury you can't afford. No one can make that decision for you, but try thinking of a vacation as an investment in yourself. Even a jaunt to a nearby lake on your day off can be refreshing and renewing. Selfish or Self-Care? Those of us in the helping professions are especially vulnerable to feeling we're somehow letting our clients down when we take time out to care for ourselves. If you find yourself thinking this way, remind yourself that your strength, caring, and inner calm are as central to the services you offer as are your technical skills. At every level, your clients receive more value from their interactions with you when you're taking care of yourself. An Honest Look I've compiled the self-care questionnaire on the previous page as a framework to analyze the balance (or lack thereof) in our lives. It doesn't take long to complete and tally, but the lessons it teaches can be invaluable. Take a few moments of your time to go through the exercise and consider the results. Above all, think of something you can do for yourself today, and count it as a benefit to every aspect of your practice. SPH Nina McIntosh published the groundbreaking book The Educated Heart in 1999. It was the first text on ethics and boundaries for the profession and has become a classic in the field.