Becoming a Successful Therapist: Self-Care Strategies, Tips, and Techniques
As a new therapist, it can be tough to figure out how to take care of yourself while also trying to help others. It’s important to remember that you are essential to this work. You can’t help anyone if you’re not in a good place yourself. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some self-care strategies, tips, and techniques that will help you stay healthy and thrive in your career!
We’ve written before about the all too common question: “Do Therapists Have Therapists?”. This is, of course, a great way to get some basic information about how to get your needs met. You can feel heard in asserting your boundaries and learn a bit more about vicarious trauma. But, there are some more tips we really want to make sure new therapists know about how to prevent burnout right at the beginning of your career. As a new therapist, you may not have a lot of say in who you work with depending on the setting. So, can you adjust the setting?
Why Therapy for Therapists Is Important for New Therapists
You are so important to this work. This field. Don’t let the scarcity mindset of being a new therapist keep you from making sure you are finding the best therapist job for you! The best fit for you. As a new therapist, you have the privilege of using this time to find your best therapy setting. In turn, this will make you that much better of a therapist in the long run! Trust me, your clients will thank you for it. It may not help clients in a direct way. But they will truly benefit from you being a happier, more fulfilled therapist who is less likely to feel the effects of burnout that so many new therapists experiences.
So, How Do You Find a Good Therapy Job?
The first step is to think about what kind of environment you want to work in. Do you want to be in a private practice setting where you have more control over your schedule and the types of clients you see? Or would you prefer to work in a hospital or other clinical setting where you have a set schedule and work with a variety of clients? There are pros and cons to both settings. So, it’s important to spend some time thinking about what would work best for you.
As a new therapist, it can be tough to figure out how to take care of yourself while also trying to help others. It’s important to remember that self-care is essential to success in this career. So, make sure to focus on it as you start your journey. Here are a few self-care strategies, tips, and techniques that will help you stay healthy and thrive in your career!
Tips and Strategies for New Therapists in California and Beyond
After you’ve landed that first therapy job, it’s vital to continue taking care of yourself. This means recognizing your triggers, having an actual self-care practice, and giving yourself a regular “full brain break”. It’s also vital to not work in a setting that boosts the “glorification of busy” or that expects you to be available 24/ 7. If you can, you may even want to find a job in a country where they won’t allow employers to contact you on your weekends or time off. It’s amazing how our culture has shifted to expecting responses very fast. Yes, there are a lot of situations that are emergencies, but there are also a lot of things that can wait.
It’s important to set “reasonable” time frames for responses and to take breaks when you need them. While onboarding for your new job, you may even ask how staff members get the breaks they need. And, what the backup systems are for inevitable issues that arise while folks are on-call. Yes, crises need to be responded to in a quick manor. Oftentimes, this sometimes requires the efforts of many team members. Is this sort of support available to you?
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful therapist! Remember, self-care is essential to success in this career. So, make sure to focus on it as you start your journey. This may mean finding a quality therapist in Orange County, CA who specializes in working with other therapists! Yes, therapists DO have therapists. We can help new therapists in California look for “therapy for therapists“. You deserve to have the expert support to sustain a successful therapist career.
If you’re a new therapist, what self-care strategies do you find helpful? Share in the comments below!
Begin Therapy for Therapists in Orange County, CA
You must help yourself before helping others. But, practicing self care as a therapist is much easier said than done. Our team of caring therapists understand the importance of self care, and would be happy to help you. We can equip you with the tools to face your challenges experience so you can help others. Our services are available from our Orange County, CA-based therapy practice, and online across the state. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:
- Contact Moxie Family Therapy
- Meet with a caring therapist
- Start your journey as a therapist!
Other Services Offered at Moxie Family Therapy
Therapy for therapists isn’t the only service offered from our Orange County, CA-based practice. Our team is also happy to offer support for women, children, teens, young adults, and couples with a variety of services in person and online. We also offer mental health services including therapy for anxiety, trauma, clinical supervision, art therapy, counseling for adoption, LGBTQ therapy, and play therapy. Please learn more about us by visiting our blog or FAQ page today!