Rest is a crucial part of wellness. It’s the only time we can recharge and continue handling the stressors life throws our way. Many people are wary of taking advantage of rest due to the worry of being called “lazy.”
Counselors, coaches, and other professionals should focus on helping clients achieve wellness by discussing with them the importance of taking a “lazy day.” In general, people need to learn how to stop feeling guilty for relaxing. By learning to stop the guilt, clients become more comfortable taking time for themselves to relax and recharge. August 10th is the perfect time to start, as it is National Lazy Day.
The term “lazy” gets thrown around a lot without any regard for people’s feelings. Sure, there are some lazy people in the world, but society calls people lazy for the most absurd things. For example, people often judge introverts for their introspective nature. What introverts see as a need to be alone and recharge, others call “lazy” because they aren’t out in the world interacting with people or doing things.
A more severe example is when people suffering from depression or other mental disorders are called lazy. In fact, a common mental health myth is that character flaws cause issues with mental health. In reality, mental health has nothing to do with being lazy. Coping with a mental disorder is already emotionally trying; judgment from others who know nothing about someone's situation certainly doesn’t help.
Calling someone lazy without understanding their circumstances is dangerous. That individual may begin to feel like something is wrong with them. Instead of accepting that they are suffering from depression, anxiety, or another illness, they’ll begin to see themselves from someone else's perspective. Individuals being told they're lazy because of how their mental health symptoms affect them is harmful to their mental health.
Did you know there was a national lazy day? Well, there is, so tell your clients to plan to celebrate National Lazy Day on August 10th this year. Most of us probably didn’t know National Lazy Day existed, even though it seems we have a national day for just about everything. The goal of this day is for people to take a break from the responsibilities of their everyday life. A lazy day could look like lounging on the couch all day and only getting up when absolutely necessary. However, this doesn’t have to be how your clients celebrate National Lazy Day themselves.
A lazy day looks different for everyone. For you, that might mean laying on the couch binge-watching your favorite Netflix series. Others may take advantage of a lazy day by staying in bed to get some extra sleep. In many ways, a lazy day is similar to a self-care day.
One problem with society today is that we’re so focused on our success that we neglect our basic needs. Neglecting our basic needs is exactly what causes people to need to focus on self-care or take advantage of a lazy day. If your clients struggle to practice self-care every day, encourage them to look up resources that will help them care for themselves a little each day. Whether they read a book, play a game, or take themselves to a local spa, their lazy day should help them feel relaxed, refreshed, and recharged.
The most important factor of a lazy day is its ability to provide rest. Rest is critical for improving physical and mental health. People experience increased concentration, an improved immune system, and even an overall improved mood when well-rested.
So many people avoid rest due to their fear of appearing lazy. Think about how counterproductive it is that so many of us feel this way. These feelings may derive from a person’s upbringing or simply from today’s societal constructs.
Our culture is so focused on success that we look down on people who would rather be happy and healthy than get into the next tax bracket. By explaining the importance of rest to your clients, they may feel more comfortable taking advantage of opportunities to practice self-care, prioritize their health, and enjoy the occasional lazy day.
Helping your clients understand the importance of rest, self-care, and taking a lazy day is important all year round, not just because August 10th happens to be National Lazy Day. If, however, you are struggling to approach or discuss the topic successfully with your clients, consider reaching out to SokyaHealth.
Our whole goal at Sokya is to provide people with improved paths to wellness. We do this through our online platform, where we can provide clients with many quality mental health and coaching services. To learn more about Sokya, visit our website today.
August 10th is National Lazy Day, and what better way to celebrate than by informing your clients of the importance of taking a lazy day for themselves every once in a while. The idea of being "lazy" carries a lot of shame. Individuals suffering from depression or other mental disorders that affect their energy levels and social battery are often called lazy. This can be very hurtful. Instead of ridiculing these individuals, we should ask ourselves, what's so wrong with taking a lazy day? To function at our best, our minds and bodies need quality rest. That means taking the time to just do nothing somedays. Discussing the importance of rest with your clients can help them feel less shame about taking the occasional lazy day. To learn more about empowering your clients to take advantage of rest, call SokyaHealth at (866) 657-6592.
Everyone struggles with finding a work-life balance. Especially in today’s age of remote work, more people find themselves working longer and harder. Aside from remote work, you may find it challenging to find a work-life balance as a clinician. Many therapists struggle to leave work behind them, especially when they have a difficult case on their hands.
If you are struggling to find a work-life balance, remember that to help others, you have to help yourself. Taking the initiative to help yourself might be through self-care or taking on a creative hobby. Whatever route you choose, creating that work-life balance will improve your mental health and the mental health of your clients as well.
Sometimes the best way to create balance in your life is to put things in perspective. We live in an age where overworking is glorified through “the grind.” The grind is an expression often used by individuals always working to either save up money or achieve professional goals. There’s nothing wrong with that; goals help us move forward. However, this “grind” can be toxic if it means never making time for our needs.
Take your work into consideration and put it in perspective. Why is it you do what you do? Many mental health professionals say they chose their work because they want to help people. It can be a very noble and rewarding profession. It can also come with some baggage, though.
All careers come with occupational stress. Stress affects everyone differently, but there are common struggles among therapists, some of which you may be familiar with yourself.
The first stress is simply the work. Helping those in distress can be distressing.
The profession requires a balance of being able to emphasize with your clients and compartmentalize your personal feelings. Without being able to compartmentalize, you risk becoming too attached and even vulnerable to your clients' experiences, trauma, and struggles.
You may also find yourself making accommodations for your clients. That could mean working long clinical hours to accommodate working schedules, being available for client emergencies, or needing to be available for clients in severe distress. It can sometimes feel like you’re never off the clock, especially if you’re taking your work and worries home with you.
There is also a great deal of industry-related stress. The profession is constantly changing, whether it’s due to legal or business concerns, alterations of therapeutic practices, or constantly needing to be up to date with licensure and research. Therapy requires being up to date on everything involved with treatment. Continuing education for you may never really end. While that may not be a bad thing, it can be daunting.
The term burnout is coming up within hundreds of companies across the country. Many characteristics of work within the field of psychology make you prone to burnout.
For example, as a therapist, you’re responsible for many people. You can become overly stressed by this responsibility if you don’t find balance. You may feel limited in your control of client outcomes and become burned out by the intense level of involvement. The first step to preventing burnout is by recognizing its signs.
You may be a pro at recognizing the signs of burnout with your clients. What about recognizing the signs within yourself? Think of turning the microscope on yourself. Start evaluating yourself without bias or excuse, as much as that’s possible to do.
You may notice you feel less fulfilled or satisfied with your work, hate the thought of going to work, and experience compulsive thoughts relating to work. These may come along with other symptoms like anxiety, depression, mental or physical exhaustion, and generally feeling drained. By being mindful of these symptoms, you’ll be able to take action to improve your work-life balance.
Burnout may be common, but you can take steps to avoid it and create a healthy work-life balance. Some of these steps include:
Saying no can be the most challenging thing to say to a client, especially for clients who become incredibly dependent. However, you need to establish boundaries between yourself and your clients.You can remain flexible while still carving out time in your day for yourself.You need to set expectations with your client, and when done early on, clients will be more understanding.
Whatever it looks like for you, designating time for self-care is essential. Self-care may include setting aside time to exercise, focus on nutrition, meditate, or focus on creative passions and hobbies. Engaging in self-care practices will force you to disconnect from work and give your mind a break from occupational stress.
Depending on their struggle, you may emphasize to your clients the importance of a support network. A support network can also be beneficial for you. The ability to vent about your work can make all the difference in your stress levels. You may start to feel that the weight of the world isn’t on your shoulders; you can take a breath and start fresh the next day from a new perspective.
If you are struggling to find work-life balance and fear burnout, you may consider seeking treatment yourself. SokyaHealth can lead you on your path to wellness. Through our online space, you’ll be able to improve yourself and continue to help others for years to come.
Professionals across the country are experiencing burnout as more people are struggling to establish a disconnect between home and work. Individuals at a higher risk of burnout include mental health professionals such as yourself. Many choose a career in psychology because they want to help people. It’s a noble choice to make but it is not free of occupational stress. You may struggle with creating boundaries, being too sensitive to clients’ situations, or even controlling constant thoughts related to work and your clients. To help yourself you first have to recognize the signs of burnout in yourself. You can avoid burnout by setting expectations with your clients, setting aside time designated for yourself, and having a support network. If you are struggling with burnout, SokyaHealth can help you today. Let us help you to help your clients. Call us today at (877) 840-6956.
Art therapy has been used by mental health professionals for decades. Art therapy is shown to have several benefits in improving mental and physical health. There are many ways for your clients to implement art therapy into their treatment, even within telehealth sessions.
Begin by reassuring your clients that art therapy does not require them to be artists. Using art to treat mental health concerns isn’t about creating a masterpiece. It’s about your clients finding a creative outlet to continue improving the masterpiece that is their life.
According to the peer-review journal Frontiers in Psychology, art therapy offers a “[N]on-pharmacological medical complementary and alternative therapy.” Their article on using art therapy to treat mental health disorders claims that art therapy can have several clinical effects on mental health disorders, despite a lack of clinical review.
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA), referenced by Frontiers in Psychology, describes the main functions of art therapy as “[I]mproving cognitive and sensorimotor functions, fostering self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivating emotional resilience, promoting insight, enhancing social skills, reducing and resolving conflicts and distress, and promoting societal and ecological changes.”
Implementing art therapy into your sessions with clients can be done with some flexibility. The goal is to get your client talking creatively. How that’s implemented can be up to you and your client.
Many have continued to research the benefits of art therapy on mental and physical health. Some therapists will use their client’s art as a talking point and together try to interpret it. That’s primarily done in combination with talk therapy. These two methods together may help your client cope with stress and anxiety, become more self-aware, and manage any intense or even scary emotions they may be feeling.
The simplest way to implement art therapy into sessions with your clients is by simply suggesting things for your client to try. You’ll get to know them first and may even learn that they already incorporate artistic activities into their daily lives. Upon learning more about your client’s interests, you’ll learn more about how those interests and hobbies can be integrated to effectively help them heal.
It’s important to remember that art therapy doesn’t just mean drawing or painting. Art therapy can be implemented through several art forms, including:
Painting allows clients struggling with control or wanting to be perfect to be more free and fluid with their artwork and approach to life.
Expressing complex feelings may be difficult for your client, and drawing can help them illustrate those feelings further.
Writing is another excellent form of art therapy. Creating comics or journaling can be effective in dealing with feelings. Your clients can write in combination with creating art or just stick to writing. Either way, putting thoughts and feelings down on paper can be cathartic.
Your client may also experiment with photography. In some ways, this is a great first artform to try. Clients may be hesitant to buy art supplies. They can, however, give photography a try just by taking out their phone. Learning to edit and getting into digital manipulation may take more time and commitment, but smartphone photography is a quick way for them to see if it’s a hobby worth pursuing.
You can also begin implementing art therapy by simply educating your client. It’s natural for people to gravitate towards art as a coping mechanism. Whether people cope with work stress by doodling in a notebook or manage their struggles with mental health by journaling those feelings, humans inherently use creative methods to deal with life.
Unfortunately, many treatment methods had to be put on pause at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily, treatment facilities successfully created and implemented virtual treatment programs for their clients. Now we live in an age where telehealth is the new normal. While this is great for some clients, there are still treatment methods more difficult to implement through the online space.
One treatment method that becomes more difficult to utilize through telehealth is art therapy, but it’s far from impossible. All your clients need to have a successful art therapy session online is:
A safe and quiet space where they can be free to create
A laptop, phone, or tablet with a good internet connection
Art materials, whether they be paint, pencils, a journal, or digital editing tools
Your client will focus on using art to tell a story, and together, you’ll be able to work through whatever your client is feeling. You’ll learn more about them, their struggles, and the root of their mental health struggles while offering additional coping techniques to use in combination with art therapy. If you’re struggling with implementing art therapy with your clients in an online space, reach out to SokyaHealth today. We can help you get your clients on a path to wellness.
Many think of art therapy as a newer approach to treating mental health. However, art therapy has been used for decades to treat both mental health and physical disorders. Art therapy can help your client cope with stress better and manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, and several other mental health challenges. Initially, clients may be hesitant about trying art therapy. In that case, it’s essential to reassure them that art therapy is not about being an artist. It’s about telling a story, which can be hard to do when discussing complex feelings. Art therapy is often effective in combination with other treatments like psychotherapy or holistic practices. Art therapy can also be implemented through telehealth services. All your client needs is a quiet space, internet connection, and an artistic medium of choice. If you struggle to implement art therapy into your treatment sessions, call SokyaHealth today at (877) 840-6956.
Listening to your clients is crucial in therapy. It can be challenging to help people when they aren’t being heard. However, it’s also imperative to pay careful attention to your client’s body language. We constantly communicate things to others through our body language without even noticing it. While observing your client’s body language can be more difficult through telehealth, it’s still possible. Being mindful of this nonverbal communication tells you things your client may not.
Nonverbal communication is exactly what it sounds like—sending and receiving messages without using words. It’s commonly used in conjunction with verbal communication, but it can sometimes be used all on its own. You may already be aware of common styles of nonverbal communication and how they can be utilized to understand people better. However, a great way to observe them more effectively in your clients is to become even more familiarized with nonverbal communication.
There are many different forms of nonverbal communication people use, including:
Facial expressions are responsible for much of our nonverbal communication. Smiling, frowning, or even blank expressions are all indicators of how we’re feeling. Facial expressions allow people to convey what they’re feeling, whether it be happiness, anger, or sadness, without having to say a single word.
Gestures are also used on a daily basis. Prime examples include waving, eye-rolling, or pointing. Gestures such as these help us convey annoyance, offer direction, or offer a friendly introduction.
Paralinguistics is also an extremely influential form of nonverbal communication. Paralinguistics refers to tone or pitch. For example, when people ask a question, their pitch tends to become higher at the end of asking the question. The tone, in particular, is helpful in deriving someone’s true feelings. Their words may indicate they are okay, but their tone may be saying something else.
According to Psychiatry (Edgmont), a research journal published by Matrix Medical Communications, approximately “60 to 65% of interpersonal communication is conveyed via nonverbal behaviors.” Unfortunately, more emphasis is put on verbal communication than nonverbal communication in therapy. The importance of nonverbal communication is that it’s unconscious. Therefore, your client’s nonverbal communication may be more indicative of how they’re truly feeling.
Paying attention to nonverbal communication will be exceptionally useful when you have clients who are more withdrawn and less likely to open up easily. Recognizing the subtlest change in posture, eye contact, or facial expression should be noticed.
If clients are slouching and drawing back, they may feel unsettled or anxious, indicated by their discomfort. A client with shaking hands may be suffering from extreme anxiety. Facial expressions and eye contact can also be very telling. If your client is unable to make or maintain eye contact, there may be something bothering them that they’re afraid to share. While not all nonverbal communication can be accurately interpreted, it can help you deduce more about your client.
Another time nonverbal communication is helpful is when you're assessing risks with your client. For example, clients may not tell the truth when asked if they’re thinking of harming themselves or others. People suffering from self-harm or harmful coping habits become so accustomed to hiding their struggles that they may not want to be truthful. They may also feel shame or anxiety about the thought of someone knowing they are self-harming or suffering from suicidal ideations.
Evaluating these risks may not necessarily require you to observe nonverbal behavior specifically. You may just have to observe your client. For example, you may have a new client claiming they have no history of self-injury. However, you may observe scars on their forearms or other indicators of self-harm and previous suicide attempts.
Specific nonverbal cues or body language can also help you infer if your client is in a state of heightened agitation or is using substances. From these observations, you can strategize how to get them to open up, confirm your suspicions, and figure out the best way to help them.
Observing nonverbal cues can be difficult through telehealth. While it can be a challenge, it’s not impossible. Some clients may be camera shy initially but ensuring that they are comfortable going on video will allow you to still pick up their verbal cues. You’ll be able to see your client's eye contact, slightly observe their posture, and of course, be able to notice their tone. These nonverbal cues alone can tell you things they aren’t saying.
Trying to find your footing in an online space may still have its challenges. There is a time and a place for in-person interaction, but millions of clients love telehealth. SokyaHealth is proud to provide quality treatment to people through the online space. If you’re struggling to successfully interpret nonverbal communication in an online space with your clients, we encourage you to reach out to us today.
Nonverbal communication helps you learn more about your client and their mental health and is exceptionally useful for improving treatment outcomes. Observing their behavior, tone, and body language will tell you things they may not be saying themselves. By refining your observation skills, you can infer if a client is feeling anxious, angry, or at risk of harming themselves or others. However, observing these nonverbal cues can be more difficult in the online space without being able to see your client fully. As long as clients are on video, you’ll still be able to observe their eye contact, posture, and tone of voice. You can then strategize how to help them best and strengthen your rapport further. If you are struggling to observe your client’s nonverbal communication through telehealth, we encourage you to use SokyaHealth as a resource. Call us at (877) 840-6956 today.
It’s a huge step for people suffering from trauma to seek therapy. Regarding any mental health concerns, someone recognizing they need help and taking the initiative to ask for it is often the most challenging but crucial step. Any kind of therapy alone can be beneficial but not as beneficial as trauma-informed therapy. People specifically seeking out treatment to heal from trauma should receive trauma-informed therapy.
A common struggle clients often face when seeking help is not understanding what kind of therapy they need. It can be confusing enough to deal with a mental health disorder, let alone educate oneself on the best treatment approach to pursue. However, as a mental health professional, you can guide them toward the right treatment path.
In the initial visits, you’ll be able to gather information on a client's situation, struggles, personal growth, and goals and hopefully develop a plan going forward. By focusing on trauma-informed treatment approaches, your client can start the journey of successful healing with your careful guidance and support.
While trauma-informed therapy may use similar practices to regular therapy, at its core, it’s not talk therapy. Trauma-informed treatment is much more relational and allows clients to feel more empowered in their interpretations.
For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping clients recognize specific patterns in the way they think or behave and offers tools to change these patterns. The CBT approach to treating trauma may cause clients to feel like their feelings, thoughts, and actions are invalid or incorrect. This is extremely harmful. There is no right or wrong way for people to respond to trauma.
A trauma-informed approach also requires more delicate timelines. Exposure to traumatic memories can be counterproductive if it’s done too soon. In general, treatment shouldn’t be generalized. Therapy is most successful when clients receive individual plans tailored to their needs.
As a therapist, you want to do whatever you can to help clients heal from their suffering. However, your job may be frustrating at times. A significant part of therapy requires your clients to put in the effort to get better, and not everyone is willing to do that.
However, there are instances where the approach to therapy needs to be adjusted on your side. This holds true when it comes to trauma-informed therapy. You may use similar practices as you do in treating other disorders like CBT and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). However, practices like these should be taken from a trauma-informed approach.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a trauma-informed approach to therapy is made of “[C]onstant attention, caring awareness, sensitivity, and possibly a cultural change at an organizational level.”
The CDC's Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR), in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Center for Trauma-Informed Care (NCTIC), created trainings on trauma-informed care. While these trainings are specific to trauma-informed care during public health emergencies, the pillars discussed can be applied in many ways to individual treatment as well.
The six guiding principles that can aid in creating a trauma-informed approach to treatment include:
#1. Safety
#2. Trustworthiness and transparency
#3. Peer support
#4. Collaboration and mutuality
#5. Empowerment and choice
#6. Cultural, historical, and gender issues
Trauma can be a very sensitive thing to heal from. Before even thinking of helping your client with healing from their trauma, they have to feel safe and secure. It’s essential to build trust with all clients, but this process can take longer when treating clients for trauma.
Once that bond is formed, you can begin to work together and dive into treatment. The only thing better than helping a client heal is to help them feel stronger and more empowered in their healing process. Trauma-informed treatment can help you get them to that point successfully.
You may know the importance of clients seeking treatment early for their mental health struggles. However, it’s common for people suffering from trauma to delay seeking treatment, especially if they’re experiencing memory loss. This memory loss may lead them to believe there isn’t a problem, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Those who think they don’t need treatment may be in more need than they realize.
SokyaHealth is focused on providing individuals treatment through our online platform. That includes helping clients manage and work through their trauma. If you’re looking for resources, tools, or guidance on how to help clients through a trauma-informed approach to treatment, feel free to reach out to SokyaHealth today. Inquiring about our services may help you in your approach to providing trauma-informed treatment.
Trauma-informed therapy is an approach to treatment that you should take with every client suffering from trauma. Regular therapy is beneficial for treating a number of mental health disorders. The most common form of therapy utilized is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on helping clients recognize patterns of thinking and behavior, and offers tools to change those patterns. With trauma, though, there is no right or wrong way to feel. Regular therapy may cause your clients to feel like their response to trauma is invalid. This is counterproductive. A trauma-informed approach to therapy is essential for helping clients heal from trauma. This approach requires clients to feel safe, trusted, supported, empowered, and able to collaborate in their treatment. SokyaHealth offers several self-care resources through our online platform, including trauma treatment. We encourage you to inquire about our services by calling us today at (877) 840-6956.
Telehealth has become more common than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual therapy that can be done anywhere and at any time has become increasingly desirable to clients of all backgrounds and needs. Understanding how to adapt your regular in-person practice to a telehealth space can help you thrive as you continue to provide the same quality of care to clients.
For clients that have never experienced therapy before, there are several things that you can do, as a mental health professional, to make them feel more comfortable. For example, you might have:
A secretary at the front desk help with intake forms and general information
A calming office equipped with aromatherapy, relaxing objects like pillows, and natural light
White noise machines to protect patient privacy
The ability to be present with your client and read their body language easily
When moving to telehealth sessions, you may find that you feel you have much less control over the environment your client enters into when starting a session with you. Understanding how to prepare for telehealth sessions can be critical to client success.
On their end, they may be in a private room, but there may be others in the background. They may be sitting cross-legged or on the floor. They might have noisy neighbors or dark lighting. While you can help remind your clients that they should treat telehealth sessions like they would in-person sessions, often, clients will have no choice in what environment they are streaming from.
For this reason, it is imperative to ensure that what they see on the other side of the screen is calming, inviting, and welcoming – even if it is just a small snippet of your actual space. If they see a disorganized, dark, or distracting space behind you, they may feel uneasy and have difficulty focusing. On the other hand, if they enter a telehealth session with you and find that your background is relaxing and serene, they may feel more comfortable and ready for the session.
While your in-person office may be filled with sensory items that a client can interact with, like pillows, fidget toys, and calming smells, you will not be able to provide any of these items to your client in telehealth therapy. There is no guarantee that your client will own any of these items or be in a particularly comforting space themselves. Therefore, it is critical for you, as the mental health professional, to think out of the box and create a space that they can see and associate with safety and peace.
One of the best ways to begin customizing your telehealth office is to take some time to turn your camera on and sit where you usually sit for sessions. Take note of several things, like:
What appears in the background?
Is the lighting good here?
Can they see me entirely from where I am sitting?
Are there distracting objects in view on my desk or behind me?
If I take notes, can they see my notebook in plain view?
To start, good lighting is one of the best ways to invite warmth into your space. You may consider investing in a lamp that sits behind you and emits warm, comforting light. Similarly, you can choose to sit in a place filled with natural light for a more calming environment.
Once the lighting is figured out, you can determine whether or not your current seating position is adequate. Sit where the client can see your entire upper half, but not where they can see you writing notes down. This will help them remain focused on your body and facial language and what you are saying rather than what you are writing down.
After this, determine what you would like in the background. You might conclude that a minimal background is best, with blank walls and one decoration or two, or you might decide that you prefer placing objects of meaning to you in the background. This can help your clients know who you are and what you value.
Although you are crafting this space with your clients in mind, crafting your telehealth office space around what brings you joy and peace will serve to bring positive energy into your telehealth sessions. If you create a space that makes you unhappy, you may not feel eager to sit down and participate in telehealth sessions, meaning that your clients are getting a lower level of care. By creating an area that makes you and your clients happy, you can ensure that you both feel excited, safe, and comfortable in your virtual session.
Telehealth is a popular alternative to in-person therapy due to its convenience and ease, particularly now. As therapists and clients both learn how to adjust to this new form of providing care, there are several things that a mental health professional can do to ensure that the experience is mutually enjoyable. One of the easiest things you can do to help your clients feel more comfortable in a telehealth session is to customize your telehealth office. Essentially, this means crafting a unique and calming space that your clients will see during their sessions. At SokyaHealth, we understand the importance of providing high-quality teletherapy to clients everywhere. Our telehealth services are available any time and anywhere for convenience and comfort. Our therapists ensure that your telehealth sessions provide feelings of ease and peace. For more information on our telehealth services and how we can help you craft the perfect telehealth space, call us today at (877) 840-6956.
While being a mental health professional is an admirable profession, it comes with its own unique challenges. Although the work is rewarding and many love their jobs, mental health professionals everywhere are feeling the stark effects of burnout, feeling unappreciated, and compassion fatigue. April is Counseling Awareness Month. This month is a time to celebrate you and your efforts as a mental health care professional, especially during such a straining time.
Many, no matter their profession, are feeling burnout. The COVID-19 pandemic and stressful world events have hit the mental health profession especially hard as more and more are flocking to receive mental health treatment to deal with instability, exhaustion, and grief. It is more critical than ever to prioritize your own needs. Establishing firm self-care routines and habits can help you stay grounded as you experience burnout symptoms or compassion fatigue.
Understanding that you matter and that your personal feelings are important as well can help you avoid feeling left behind emotionally as you give much of yourself to your clients. Similarly, remembering that you deserve to have time to relax and recover can help you work toward establishing a healthier work-life balance. By recognizing your own needs, you can provide yourself with the same love, compassion, and self-care that you encourage for your clients.
Although you may speak in your sessions about the power vulnerability can have in the healing journey, you may avoid being vulnerable in your own life. This could be due to:
A fear of looking or seeming “weak”
Being embarrassed to be struggling when you are a mental health professional
Worrying that you are the only one having a hard time
Fear of being judged
Wondering if you have “what it takes” to survive in this profession
Being vulnerable with other mental health professionals or even with your own therapist can help you understand that you are not alone in feeling the way you feel. Just because you are a mental health professional does not mean you need to have it all figured out and be 100% perfect at practicing self-care and being strong in overwhelming situations. You are allowed to be imperfect and experience hardship just like everyone else.
Instead of diminishing the hardships you have faced, taking time to respect that you have likely gone through severely distressing moments throughout your career, especially recently, can help you validate your own experiences. While the mental health field has always had challenging stressors, the world's current climate has seemingly made these issues more intense. You have been required to set aside your own emotional state to help your clients at times, which has likely taken its toll.
During this month, take some time to honor every challenge you have been through and every obstacle you have overcome in the past few years. Thank yourself for your perseverance, strength, and resilience as you have tried to be the best mental health professional you can be. Give yourself a day this month to completely celebrate yourself if you can. Go to your favorite restaurant, buy that book you have been wanting, or take a short trip into nature to truly celebrate you and your accomplishments.
Being a mental health professional is never easy, and the fact that you have persisted deserves to be admired and celebrated. If you are feeling underappreciated, consider being open about your feelings to those closest to you to work toward some actions that can help you feel celebrated.
Just like you, your colleagues around you may be feeling overwhelmed or unappreciated at times. When you feel that you have prioritized and cared for your own needs, consider reaching out to your colleagues to help them feel celebrated this month. If you decide to celebrate Counseling Awareness Month at your office or practice, you could consider leaving out a compliments box for clients to fill out, giving them a chance to thank their mental health professionals anonymously.
As the world continues to adapt to the challenges that arise, so will the mental health field. Supporting and celebrating our mental health professionals is more important now than ever as we continually look for ways to ease their load and promote healing within the field. The more positivity and appreciation we give to ourselves and those around us, the better we can support our mental health professionals.
Being a mental health care professional is both challenging and rewarding. The circumstances of the past few years and the present day have caused many mental health professionals to feel underappreciated and overwhelmed. April is Counseling Awareness Month and an excellent opportunity to take some time to celebrate yourself and your colleagues. Honor that you have been through demanding circumstances and prioritize your self-care needs as you work toward a healthier work-life balance in your life. At SokyaHealth, we value our mental health professionals and celebrate you this month and always. We understand the burden that has been placed on mental health professionals, especially during these past few years. Our website offers content for mental health professionals seeking greater wellness in their own lives and work. We support mental health professionals and appreciate your hard work in providing the best quality of care for our clients and clients everywhere. Call us today for more information at (877) 840-6956.
The conversation about mental health therapy needs to include preventative and active treatment benefits. The stigmas surrounding mental health care are fading, making it easier for people to begin therapy. However, too often, people wait until a mental health disorder disrupts their life to seek help. When a client starts therapy with you, guide them to understand therapy doesn't mean they're broken. The benefits a client gains from attending and participating in sessions are numerous.
When clients begin therapy, they may not understand what therapy is or how it can help them. An integral part of making them comfortable is defining what therapy is and how it works. Because your client went through an assessment before meeting you, they may have a grasp of what may occur. However, going over the kinds of therapy and what can happen in a session may put them at ease.
When a person says therapy, many think of a room with a couch and a therapist taking notes. Talk therapy is what many associate with all therapy, and though they're not necessarily wrong, there's much more to therapy, including holistic modalities. Mental health therapy is a conduit to exploring and discovering ways to enhance and increase a client's emotional well-being.
Mental health therapy sessions can:
Increase day to day healthy decisions
Create a sense of happiness and engagement in life
Build on or heal relationships
Develop financial and work stability
Encourage physical and social activities
Help your client discuss any stigmas they may have concerning therapy. For example, some clients may hold back from sharing because they're afraid of being judged. Work with them to create a comfortable, non-judgmental space. Once you build a relationship, encourage your client to discuss with you the benefits of mental health counseling.
One way to think of preventative mental health care is to compare it to a car. Most people take preventive measures—change the oil, tune-ups, or tire rotations—to ensure their vehicle runs smoothly. Therapy is similar to car care. Seeing a therapist before major issues present themselves can help avoid harmful situations.
Preventative therapy is a form of self-care. A person wouldn't make assumptions about someone who is physically active. There isn't a difference between exercising to prevent physical health issues and starting therapy to prevent mental health issues. Both physical activity and mental health therapy serve the same purpose: to care for the well-being of a person.
If you're a doctor and one of your clients has a loved one with a terminal disease, recommending therapy can avert dangerous behaviors once their loved one passes. For example, if one of your patient's parents is dying from an illness, you can suggest they speak with a therapist to help them process their feelings. Having therapy in place when an event occurs helps your clients work through their reactions.
Self-care is vital to your client's well-being. Clients who can reconnect with their minds and bodies can grow and adapt. Flexibility in life opens up possibilities while also preventing emotions like depression or anxiety.
Two examples of self-care include:
Journaling:
Teens and young adults who journal can experience increased motivation, competence, or regulation of behaviors. Journaling helps release anxiety, depression, or inner thoughts.
Physical activity:
Physical activity can aid your client in releasing emotions by focusing on how their body responds to an action. For example, runners can feel a rush of happiness because their brain releases feel-good chemicals. Activities like surfing, tennis, or hiking can have a similar effect.
Not everyone needs medication. However, those who do will benefit from finding the right kind. Clients with mental health disorders might seek dangerous ways to escape their feelings. For example, teens may cut to distract from their emotional pain. Instead, you can prescribe medication to help them derive the full benefits of therapy and re-engage in their lives.
Some clients may refuse medication because they have specific concerns or stigmas about medication. Asking your client how they feel about medicine and discussing their thoughts and feelings can open up the conversation. Once a healthy discourse takes place, ask them how they think a prescription will affect them. For example, your client may worry about weight gain, acne, or an adverse side effect they heard about. While explaining the side effects and the right to stop, adjust, or change medication is crucial, it is also essential to discuss the benefits.
A discussion about the positive effects of medication can help a client make an informed decision. Your client may not know medication can soothe the brain. Some mental health disorders respond well to medication. Once the brain has adjusted to the medication, they can feel balanced and decrease barriers to their well-being.
There are several benefits to mental health therapy. While clients are in therapy, they can voice their thoughts and feelings in a safe space. As they become more comfortable in sessions, they may also derive a sense of happiness. Therapy serves to discuss and explore how the past has influenced a client's present. In some cases, such as mental health disorders, your client can benefit from a prescription. SokyaHealth offers comprehensive services to help your client address their mental health needs. Our trained professionals understand the importance of care tailored to each client. We form a client-therapist relationship built on trust and respect. A healthy relationship allows us to connect on a meaningful therapeutic level. Your client's wellness matters to us. Whether your client participates in individual therapy or coaching, our focus is on their long-term health. Our professionals are here to answer your questions. Call SokyaHealth today to learn more at (877) 840-6956
Living with uncertainty can create stress and anxiety. People don't like not knowing what is going to happen. Uncertainty is an inability to have control over a situation, and that's not often comfortable. Look at your colleagues or clients and ask yourself if you know their schedules. Most people have routines that keep them grounded, on time, and connected. When things are going smoothly, your client can feel safe. However, emotions like anxiety or stress can overtake healthy emotions when things go awry.
Most people feel the need to have information. Without certainty, the brain perceives the unknown as a threat. Therefore, it will decrease a person's ability to focus on anything other than the situation.
The survey Stress in America asked people how they felt about uncertainty. A majority of those surveyed reported uncertainty was a cause of stress. Almost half said the pandemic has interfered with their ability to plan. They're in limbo because they can't plan and don't know when to prepare for the future.
What if not establishing certainty is the best thing for a person? While the brain is wired to crave predictability or certainty, sometimes uncertainty is good for people.
The pandemic showed people that no one could predict the future. As new variants appear and the best-laid plans shatter, they have experienced upheaval in their lives. Maybe their first urge was to try to control the situation. However, control rarely works. Instead, work with your client to let go of control. While not doing anything can seem counterintuitive, it may be the healthiest thing for your client's mind and body.
At some point in a person's life, they may realize that the only thing anyone knows about the future is that they don't know the future. Yes, a person can plan for the future, but they can't prepare for outside events. Without realizing it, they're always living in uncertainty. Controlling the future is impossible. Guide your client to release their expectations because they can only control themselves.
There are ways to live life without controlling events and people. No one can avoid uncertainty. Ways you can help your client learn to live without control include:
Resisting uncertainty extends harmful thoughts or feelings because your client isn't taking time to recover, heal, or grow. Instead, when they hang on to the need for control, emotions like depression or anxiety can increase.
You can teach your client to assess situations and find healthy ways to move forward. For instance, they can be in a challenging relationship at the moment. Ask them to resist the urge to fight or blame the other person. Instead, step back from the relationship and accept it. Your client will still feel various emotions, but they also free themselves of negative emotions. Your client will learn to welcome their feelings, take in what is going on, and find a way forward. Acceptance doesn't mean a person gave up on a relationship or situation. Instead, a person allows themselves to live in the present and grow.
Guide your client to invest time in themselves. Self-care isn't selfish. The time they spend nurturing their mind and body helps them face uncertainty.
An essential to coping with uncertainty is for your client to practice healthy habits. Your client's brain may try to seek out rewards to distract them from uncertainty. Instead of giving into unhealthy temptations, like excessive shopping, help your client find healthy alternatives.
Journaling is a healthy way your client can express their thoughts and feelings. Later, they can go back and read what they wrote and gain insight into what triggers their emotions. Another way to release harmful emotions is to engage in activities like yoga, surfing, painting, or reading.
Whenever your client catches themself believing self-defeating thoughts help them to replace those thoughts with positive thoughts. Instead of jumping to the worst-case scenario, guide them to search for a bright side. It is wise to think of a scenario where things don't go as planned in some cases, but don't make the worst-case scenario the only scenario.
No one denies uncertainty is chaotic, but in chaos, there is meaning. Your client can find what makes them feel significant. When your client feels needed, they can elevate their self-confidence and happiness.
Dwelling on a situation isn't emotionally healthy. Ask your client, if a friend came to them with the same problem, what would they tell them? Then, they should take their advice.
Uncertainty can throw anyone into a tailspin. Most people rely on knowing what will happen because knowing is control. However, when something goes wrong, the disruption can create emotions like depression or anxiety. Emotions like depression and anxiety are normal reactions to chaos, but they can harm a person's mental and physical well-being. Luckily, they don't have to hold on to uncertainty; help them let go with SokyaHealth. Our therapists are here to guide your client to discover how embracing uncertainty can positively impact their life. Our wellness services target crucial elements to living a healthy, meaningful life. Through self-care, coaching, or therapy, your client can become connected to what makes them feel connected with themselves and others. We believe flexibility is an essential part of coping. Because our services are available through telehealth, your client can access their coach or therapist anywhere. To find out how we can help your client, call (877) 840-6956.
The voices of young people are often the most ardent and loud when it comes to social action movements. Teens and young adults being involved and making a change in their world isn't new. Most of the changes in social policy stem from youth activist movements. Over the past decade, the world and its issues have changed, but young people remain at the forefront of most policy and social change actions.
Before the age of social media, a rally or an act of advocacy took weeks or months to plan. Then, teens and young adults relied on flyers, phone calls, and word of mouth to get their message to like-minded people. However, depending on these methods is no longer necessary.
Young people today are social media experts. They excel at using social media to their advantage and can amplify their platform faster than ever. With seconds they can spread their message to their community, state, country, or world. The introduction of technology and social media into the world of activism has redefined how people think of young people and their place in social change.
When young people become involved in an organization or movement aimed at helping others, they're social activists. Teens and young adults bring fresh perspectives to social issues. New perspectives can move people to change how they feel about a subject. The shift in thought can also lead to different strategies to engage their base and attract new volunteers. Additionally, the power of a new voting block can change how politicians draft legislation.
The communities teens and young adults live in also benefit from young people's work. Everyone wants to feel connected, valued, and respected by their peers or other generations. When young people are involved in their community, they increase their stake in their community and boost their mental health. In addition, being a part of a movement or helping others can decrease the risk of depression.
The Power of Young People
Teens and young adults have shown their ability to create awareness or change. They are a force in any social movement. Therefore, guiding young people to recognize their social values and strengths is essential to build self-confidence and mental well-being. Their voice on social media platforms not only raises awareness but insists politicians and others listen to what they have to say on a subject. For example, young people founded these social action movements:
In 2012, outside of President Obama's campaign headquarters in Colorado, two protestors staged a hunger strike to protest the deportation of children who came to America with their parents. Later that year, President Obama enacted DACA through an executive order. President Trump rescinded DACA. Teens and young adults across the country used their voices to protest.
The Black Lives Matter movement began in 2013 after George Zimmerman was acquitted for the death of Trayvon Martin. Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi, and Patrisse Cullors formed the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Their movement is still raising awareness of racial disparities and discrimination. Today, people across the globe are involved in preventing or intervening in any form of violence against Black communities.
A group of young Native Americans advocated for the stoppage of the Dakota Access Pipeline because of concerns that the pipeline could contaminate the water source of the Standing Rock Sioux. As a result of their protest, President Obama and the Army Corps of Engineers declared work on the pipeline would stop. However, President Trump reversed NoDAPL. Young people then led protests against the reversal.
2018 saw one of the most lethal mass shootings in the modern history of America. A former student of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, killed 17 people after opening fire on school grounds. After the mass shooting, students united to form the #NeverAgain movement. Their goal was to have gun reform enacted. As a result, several states have worked towards gun reform laws, and the National Rifle Association (NRA) no longer has the stronghold it once had over gun laws.
Youths involved in a social movement benefit from their participation for the greater good. However, they can gain even more benefits if they're engaged in high-value campaigns. A few integral parts of such actions are:
The leaders of the movement are youths.
The social action is challenging, thus engaging them in the process.
The movement must have some social impact. For a teen to feel they're doing something, they should see the value in their work.
Knowing their efforts are shaping a better world holds meaning.
Most people aren't content staying in the same position. They want to progress in their career or volunteer positions. Therefore advancement in the social movement is vital.
Teens and young adults have the power to make positive changes in their community, nationally or globally. The effect young people have on social policy is undeniable. Through their ideas and belief in change, teens and young adults have altered how many think. Today, the youth hold an immediate influence over activist movements. The introduction of social media to raise awareness and shift policy is immense. Plus, the mental health benefits active participation in social action is invaluable. When youths are involved in activism, they engage with their community, often becoming stakeholders. As a part of positive change, not only is their voice heard but respected and valued. SokyaHealth's coaches can guide young people to find their voice and passion. After that, we work with them to engage in a cause that reflects their values. Our job is to listen and support. Find out how we can help your client. Call us today at (877) 840-6956.
