Whether in a school, counseling center, or clinic, you’ve been asked to step up a lot lately. And you give of yourself because you care about the students and clients you serve. They’ve been struggling with uncertainty, loss, disconnection from what brings them joy. But you have too. What’s more, you have been called internally or externally to do just a little bit more. That kind of stuff can be difficult on your well-being and on your relationships with loved ones.
We know as helping professionals, the stresses of life are normal. We know validating all the emotional, spiritual, and cognitive responses we experience is important. It doesn’t mean that it’s easy though. Sometimes as helping professionals we need help. Sometimes the work we do drains us to the point where we begin to lose sight of what brings meaning to our lives and those things and people that rejuvenate us. We begin to notice signs of burnout or compassion fatigue. Sometimes patience with family members wanes because you’ve given so much to those you serve. You still love your family but you begin to notice disconnection surfacing. Let’s change that.