Obviously, this population is dear to my heart.
Where do we go for our own therapy? Some of us will drive two hours so we can meet with someone we won't ever see at the grocery store. Some of us variously medicate ourselves out of the conscious need for help altogether. Some of us exercise and meditate and keep up with our trainings and memberships faithfully and call it a day, ostensibly checking off all the necessary boxes but bypassing deep needed support.
All of us will experience the thrill of our cherished work waning now and then -- if not crashing due to unusual stress in our personal lives. How do we help others when either the fire within has gone out or everything out there is on fire with our health, family, friends, loves, or finances... It can be so hard to bring a clear mind and open heart to this work when things look and feel especially impaired or just broken.
Helping ourselves by helping others isn't ever going to be enough. It's not enough to join organizations and have their literature on our waiting room tables, or all the books we've read displayed proudly on our shelves. It's not enough to attend courses, conferences, and consultation groups if we're falling apart at home. On behalf of all clients who benefit from your commitment to embody what you offer, thank you for taking care of yourself as an ongoing practice.
With all needed discernment, I can help.