The AAMFT Blog

Care of the Therapist

As the Therapist, what does it mean to engage in self-care?

We use the term self-care broadly, which often comes as a recommendation to our clients who express signs of intense stress or burn-out. Our clients feel distress and it is our job to help alleviate their symptoms while also building an arsenal of skills to prevent relapse. At the same time, we are human first and our work, as clinicians, is demanding and can take a toll on us inside and outside of the therapy room.

Self-care is preventative medicine, not a band-aid when we need stitches. It is a vital ingredient in our recipe for happiness. Self-care means showing up for yourself as you do for others. It can be easy to prioritize our work, family, and friends, ignoring ourselves in the process.

It helps to think of self-care as an act of kindness. The way we show up for ourselves is vital to the work we do with clients. Life can be unpredictable, so we need strategies for handling our own emotional needs, especially in times of great difficulty. Helping professionals, like marriage and family therapists, are at considerable risk of burn-out.

Therapists are not super humans, we, like our clients, need ways to protect our time, space, and energy. Our self-care is a fitting example of systemic therapy in that it does not exist in a vacuum, and it is not one-sided. To feel whole, we must nurture our mind and body. It is an interconnected relationship that hinges on how we use, protect, and maintain our energy.

When we think about how we want to use our energy, it brings focus to our mental and physical state. Life runs on energy. And when we are careful and thoughtful about our energy needs, we are better able to handle stressful situations. Self-care is not a prescription we take once we hit the bottom of the barrel. Instead, it starts with prioritizing yourself and building sustainable healthy habits.

As therapists we know there is no one size fits all on self-care. The foundation starts with healthy choices. The cornerstones of self-care include exercise, sleep, hydration, and healthy eating. These are the pillars that support a foundation of well-being. When these core items align, we can achieve balance in our personal and professional lives.

Here are some questions and reflections that can help you think about your care as a therapist:

1. How do I want to use my time? Time is our most precious commodity. Life gets busy, and we can easily over-commit our time to keep others happy or we may suffer from FOMO. Either way, it is okay to say no to things you do not want to do. Tap into your inner why by asking yourself, "why am I saying yes to this? " If you are hesitating or trying to justify your decision, go with "no, thank you!"
2. What are my energy needs? First, it is essential to understand your energy needs. For some, being extra social is invigorating, while others feel zapped by how much energy it takes them to engage socially. Knowing what we need to keep the tank full makes us feel more mentally balanced. Make sure you are paying attention to your energy tank. Do not wait until you are running on fumes to refuel.
3. What are my boundaries? Boundaries protect emotional energy. As therapists, we often recommend setting and maintaining clear boundaries to clients. Are you doing this in your life as well?
4. How do I make activity part of my daily routine? Being active does not mean you need to be a top athlete. Movement improves our mental and physical well-being. One way to enhance your activity is to move more each day. Everyone has a different level of fitness, so set realistic activity goals. For example, start walking for 10-15 minutes daily and gradually build on your time goal. Suggestions we give to a client might look like -- make your goals realistic and achievable. Let us make sure we follow the same advice.
5. Am I being mindful of choices that impact my health? Making mindful choices around eating, drinking, exercising, and sleeping means consciously choosing what we do. Mindless eating and drinking are typical examples of how self-care goes off track. It can become a downward spiral of justifying our choices and stewing in guilt's juices if we make a poor choice. Instead, we can choose with awareness and acceptance of our selection. No need to ruminate. Be mindful and move forward.
6. How do I keep myself accountable for the practice of self-care? Staying responsible for our habits is one way to ensure our self-care is not dwindling. There are multiple ways to keep track of our health habits. For some, apps are the best way to measure what we are doing in the interest of staying accountable. For others, it can be having a workout buddy or setting goals with a friend or partner with the same health interest. Either way, make your care as a therapist a priority.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month began in 1949 to bring to light conditions that affect mental health and reduce the associated stigma. Since its inception, it has provided an opportunity for mental health professionals, such as marriage and family therapists (MFTs), to reflect on and improve their ability to create positive change and enlighten the external perceptions of behavioral health.

Systemic therapy allows us to embrace and promote emotional well-being without negative labeling. MFTs work from the premise that nothing happens in a vacuum. Context and relationships matter when understanding individual problems. We know that multiple factors beyond our control shape our emotional development. Nature and nurture work together, not in isolation from each other. No one chooses depression or anxiety, for example, it happens to them for many external and internal reasons. Connecting the dots for those struggling with mental health issues can reshape thoughts and behaviors toward productive and positive outcomes.

 

What We Know About Mental Health

The data on mental health is concerning and shows that we need to raise awareness and continue doing so as much as possible. In 2021, the National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI) reported the following stats on mental health in the U.S.:

• 1 in 5S. adults experience mental health concerns each year
• 1 in 20S. adults experience severe mental concerns each year
• 1 in 6S. Youths aged 6-17 experience a mental health condition each year
• 50% of all lifetime mental health concerns begin by age 14, and 75% by age 24
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14
• Anxiety issues affect 40 million adults yearly

These troubling statistics suggest the need for greater attention and resources devoted to mental health. Our emotional wellness needs to be prioritized and treated with as much care as our physical health. We need to address mental health concerns before they become a crisis. Just as we view a healthy diet and exercise as preventative measures for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, we must see therapy as a preventative measure for mental health conditions.

Assumptions and Stigma

It is not always apparent that someone you know is struggling with their mental health. This is in part because some people are good at masking their emotions. At the same time, others may use distractions to avoid facing challenging situations. In addition, many people who appear to be high-functioning experience high anxiety levels. So, we may be wrong in assuming people we know are doing just fine.

It is better to work together to make the stigma associated with mental health a thing of the past. When we designate someone as mentally ill, we perpetuate shame and negativity, which can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation. It may be helpful to reiterate that no one chooses to be anxious or depressed. That is why MFTs deploy a holistic approach to their clients and uncover the broader contexts or the bigger picture from where mental health symptoms emerge.

 

You Are Not Alone

It is vital to emphasize that you are not alone. Life is complicated and unpredictable. When someone is struggling with mental health issues, it can be helpful to remind them that they are not alone. Loneliness and isolation can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, a small gesture can make a big difference for someone struggling to put one foot in front of another. Something as simple as a text to check in can help someone realize there is someone there for them.

If you or someone you know is facing a mental health issue, please don't wait to get help. Our therapist locator provides a comprehensive list of marriage and family therapists across the country. MFTs are trained in psychotherapy and family systems, which allows them to focus on understanding client symptoms in the context of the relational interactions that influence behavior. The problem does not define the client but is a symptom of their system.

Resources

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): provides information on mental health statistics, clinical trials, and research

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): provides information on the prevention, treatment, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and related conditions

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: provides referrals to support groups and mental health professionals, resources on loss, and suicide prevention information

The Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 800-273-TALK for free, confidential support available 24/7.⁠⠀

Institutes for Advanced Systemic Family Therapy

Earn up to 18 hours of continuing education in London, UK with the most advanced marriage and family therapy training available.

 

Designed as an intimate and in-depth training for advanced clinicians to connect, this in-person training is held in London, United Kingdom on June 21 - 23, 2023. The schedule for this event allows for both intensive training from experts in the field and time to enjoy the local surroundings. Participants study in one of four intensive courses that reflect the clinical challenges mental health professionals face today. The Institutes are designed with the experienced clinician in mind and are presented by experts in the field. Classes are intentionally kept small to create a personal and interactive setting.

 

In addition, our opening and closing keynotes offer a wonderful opportunity to meet with the instructors and your fellow participants to exchange ideas and discuss today’s issues at length. Daily breakfast and lunch gatherings offer an excellent opportunity for networking with participants from across the globe.

 

Learn more 

 

AAMFT Statement: Michigan State University Shooting

During the evening hours of February 13, students, faculty, and staff at Michigan State University (MSU) became the latest in the all too frequently growing list of victims of senseless violence. Our thoughts are with the marriage and family therapy program students, faculty, and staff, as well the entire MSU community, as they navigate the days ahead and begin to process this terrible tragedy.

For those on campus, MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services, or CAPS, is partnering with local providers to offer counseling to students in need starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14. Counselors will be available at the Hannah Community Center located at 819 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823. 

Last summer, AAMFT joined over 60 organizations recognizing the deep impact on mental health caused by gun violence. Gun violence is a public health crisis, and the trauma and fear caused by mass shootings significantly worsen Americans’ mental health. A large majority of adults in the United States experience stress associated with mass shootings, and a third of U.S. adults say that fear of mass shootings stops them from going to certain places and events. [i] Moreover, research has shown that victims and members of affected communities experience increases in posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression, and other signs of psychological concerns. Other studies have found that, after previous mass shootings, youth felt less safe and more fearful. [ii] These findings, many of which are unsurprising, make it all the more important to take urgent action to prevent these shootings, particularly in light of our nation’s ongoing youth mental health crisis.

Our organizations welcome continued bipartisan efforts to improve our country’s mental health and substance use systems. These should be pursued because they will enhance our collective well-being, improve and save countless lives, and lead to a more vibrant and resilient country. However, what these reforms alone will not do is address the epidemic of mass shootings. To prevent more carnage, policymakers must act now to address the national crisis of gun violence and work on a bipartisan basis to pass meaningful solutions that promote gun safety in all of our communities.

Further reading: AAMFT Clinical Fellow Tina Timm shares her first-hand account of the MSU shooting and its impact on students and faculty at the University with the Lansing State Journal.

Resources

• On-campus: MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services, or CAPS, is partnering with local providers to offer counseling to students in need starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14. Counselors will be available at the Hannah Community Center located at 819 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823. 
• The resources below have been created by member MFTs or compiled by AAMFT to help support this process:
  • Disastershock – How to Cope with the Emotional Stress of a Major Disaster
  • Supporting Children Through Their Grief Journey
  • How the Death of a Child Can Impact a Marriage
  • Tips for Parenting During Times of Crisis

To share a resource with our community of MFTs, please contact us.

Citations:

• American Psychological Association (APA) (2019). One-Third of US Adults Say Fear of Mass Shootings Prevents Them from Going to Certain Places or Events. Retrieved from:

            https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2019/08/fear-mass-shooting

• For a description of relevant research see: Lowe SR, Galea S. The Mental Health Consequences of Mass Shootings. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2017 Jan;18(1):62-82. doi: 10.1177/1524838015591572. Epub 2015 Jun 17. PMID: 26084284.

Minority Fellowship Program Applications Are Open

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MFP Applications for the 2023-2024 year is currently open and will close Saturday, February 11, 2023. 

The AAMFT Research and Education Foundation's Minority Fellowship Program offers three Fellowships. The MFP is one of the longest running behavioral health workforce development grants funded by the federal government – funding provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

These Fellowships are: 

1. Dissertation Completion Fellowship (DCF)-For doctoral students at the dissertation stage of their curriculum; 
2. Doctoral Fellowship (DF)-For doctoral students still in the process of completing pre-dissertation core curriculum; 
3. Minority Fellowship Program- Youth (MFP-Y)-For masters students interested in service provision to the nation’s youth. 

Find more application information, click here. 

Email the Minority Fellowship Program staff with any questions or concerns at [email protected]. 

AAMFT Leadership Symposium Returns In-Person for 2023

AAMFT is thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the 2023 Leadership Symposium   (March 9 – 11, New Orleans, LA) and we are BACK IN PERSON! We have missed seeing you and we cannot wait to spend this time at this truly special event with you.  

In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic was just starting to unfold in the United States, the   cancellation of the Leadership Symposium was one of the first decisions AAMFT was forced to   make. While the subsequent virtual Leadership Symposiums have created their own magical   moments and offered us a chance to connect from all parts of the globe, there is a dynamic   synergy created by bringing together so many new and experienced leaders in one place. The in-person 2023 Symposium is designed to deliver that experience.

Some highlights include: 

•  A keynote by bestselling authors and researchers Jillian Peterson and James Densley, focused on their work around The Violence Project highlighting key ways we can play a part in how to stop a mass shooting epidemic.  

• An interactive workshop with musician Mary McBride highlighting her work with the incarcerated population in Louisiana. 
• Over 12 continuing education hours focused on leadership development designed to shape careers, overcome barriers, and make the MFT mark on society.  
• Tons of opportunities for networking and re-connecting with colleagues and peers including a brand-new community outreach project!  
• Approved Supervision Refresher course available as a pre-Symposium training.  

View the entire schedule, find location information, and register today at aamft.org/leadership! Attendance for this event is limited so don’t miss your opportunity to join us.  

We can’t wait to see you!