Becoming a therapist is like any other profession with its pros and cons, hardships and success. One of the ways it affects the counselor is in their own personal relationships. For myself, I have re-evaluated some of the people in my life and realized they are pulling me down with them. Others were holding me back form becoming aware of my full potential. I have learned to let go of these relationships, although not always easy, it was necessary for my own growth. On the other hand I have let in relationships which have been supportive and healthy. It has been a sort of “cleaning house” experience in my relationships. Kottler mentions Freud’s suggestion of treating ourselves, as therapist, to therapy every five
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Clients come in bringing their own stresses, anger, depression, suicide, and imbalance within the family, to name a few. On several occasions I have been in session with clients where as soon as they enter the room they are angry and defensive. There have been children who come in running wild with little care for anything or anybody. Their stress levels are high before we start and so the first order is diffuse their level of stress. Then there are the stress we as counselors experience, such as, self-doubt, physical exhaustion and emotional depletion. These stressors do not arise with every client, but they surface every once in awhile. I find myself wondering if handled situations correctly, or did I say the right things? Physical exhaustion after hours of listening and being attentive can creep up with out being aware that it is happening. Although it can not always be avoided, I have found the best way to be proactive is to keep myself maintained, eating healthy, and getting plenty of rest. When client’s levels are highly stressed, that is when I find myself emotionally depleted. Hours of counseling one after another can be extremely depleting, most especially of the stories are emotionally charged. When handling any stress related issue the best we can do for ourselves is maintain our own emotional and physical health
Clients come in bringing their own stresses, anger, depression, suicide, and imbalance within the family, to name a few. On several occasions I have been in session with clients where as soon as they enter the room they are angry and defensive. There have been children who come in running wild with little care for anything or anybody. Their stress levels are high before we start and so the first order is diffuse their level of stress. Then there are the stress we as counselors experience, such as, self-doubt, physical exhaustion and emotional depletion. These stressors do not arise with every client, but they surface every once in awhile. I find myself wondering if handled situations correctly, or did I say the right things? Physical exhaustion after hours of listening and being attentive can creep up with out being aware that it is happening. Although it can not always be avoided, I have found the best way to be proactive is to keep myself maintained, eating healthy, and getting plenty of rest. When client’s levels are highly stressed, that is when I find myself emotionally depleted. Hours of counseling one after another can be extremely depleting, most especially of the stories are emotionally charged. When handling any stress related issue the best we can do for ourselves is maintain our own emotional and physical health