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A lot of us think about ourtherapistseven after our sessions are over.
Ponomariova_Maria / Getty Images
Theres the fascination with whether they like us (or if we could even actually be friends).
There are the stories that we concoct about their personal lives.
So I asked a few mental health providers for the other techniques they use to cope with their jobs.
Fill your own cup first in the morning (literally and/or figuratively).
She realized that coping, for her, starts before work even begins.
you’ve got the option to put whatever spin on this you like.
Maybe your idealmorning routineinvolves a sweaty workout session or some journaling.
The goal is to findsomeway to center yourself in the mornings before you begin your day.
Find a playful yet soothing hobby.
For instance, she draws when she watches TV and has resumed building with Legos.
3. attempt to keep a schedule with hard start and stop times.
Its far too easy to keep working late into the evening when work is home and home is work.
This is particularly true for therapists who have shifted many services totelehealth.
Practice the opposite emotion of what youre feeling.
Get better at saying noespecially when it means saying yes to something more fulfilling.
One of the hardest things about sticking to a schedule isactually saying no to others.
Ginger Nicol, M.D.
The only person who can take care of your well-being is you, she says.
Saying no is really about what youre saying yes to, she says.
Being able to do my job more effectively, and with joy?
Designate time thats specifically for winding down.
A half hour in my own bubble does wonders for me, she tells SELF.
Your solo self-care time can be filled with whatever you need at that moment.
Turn to your support system (even if its virtual).
Weve all seenhow key community has beenduring the pandemic.
Bennett also emphasizes the power of a support system.
Ayana Jordan, M.D.
She also hostsBlack Trivia Night, an all-virtual trivia with live DJs.
Move your body in whatever ways bring you joy.
Many of the therapists I spoke toexerciseto help themselves cope.
For Sue Varma, M.D., clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone, exercise is non-negotiable.
In addition, she adds, Peloton saved me.
Practice being present throughout your day.
Emotionally heavy work like therapy can often pull you from being focused on the present.
Many therapists told me theyve made it a point to prioritize being present in their nonwork lives.
Scents can also be particularly easy and useful to ground you in a particular setting or mood.
Get lost in someone elses words.
Sometimes when you dont have the right words for comfort, other peoples words can be helpful.
I can easily get lost, in a good way, in another persons story.
Listening to some elses experiences, world views, and life lessons has been eye-opening, she says.
Ive found encouragement, comfort, and inspiration this way.
Some of her recent favorites includeHeart of Fire,Speak, Okinawa, andThe Sergeants Daughter.
Give in to the power of music.
Theres this recurring bit inGreys Anatomywhere Meredith and Cristina always dance when they have hard days.
As it turns out, so do many therapists.
This could be up to 100 times depending on the situation.
The closer the music matches my emotions, the more effective the approach.
