We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future. —Steve Maraboli
For behavioral health clinicians, the quote connects to helping clients move past guilt, shame, and negative thinking. Likewise, this quote also reminds clinicians to show compassion toward themselves and others, recognizing that growth, healing, and self-forgiveness are possible for everyone.
The echo of adaptive and maladaptive themes presented by patients in clinical practice inspires awe, highlighting how deeply human clinicians are as they recognize their own experiences of similar storms. In turn, this lived experience of having overcome adversity can be used to empirically shape and model tiers of resilience for patients. Additionally, it stimulates compassion to notice areas of resistance that reasonably halt therapeutic outcomes and gains due to the stressful occupational task of confronting uncharted territory—one of the prerequisites within the theory of change.
The behavioral health clinician is the perspective shifter, co-regulator, diagnostician, and mindful listener. We have the privilege of carrying these responsibilities while helping clients better understand the emotions, thoughts, and inner experiences that shape their lives. Yet, in the process of caring for others, clinicians can sometimes overlook the importance of offering themselves the same compassion, curiosity, and grace they encourage in their clients.
The future self of the therapist may benefit from reflecting on a few important questions:
- Am I giving myself the same patience and understanding that I offer my clients?
- What parts of myself still need acknowledgment or self-compassion?
- Am I caring for myself in ways that allow me to continue showing up fully for others?
Perhaps one of the greatest reminders for clinicians is that healing others should not come at the cost of neglecting themselves. We must be willing to sneak up on ourselves and rest in the beautiful moment of reflexivity by talking ourselves out of internal transgression with reason and sensibility.
As paraphrased from Matthew 11:28-30 NIV, Come to me. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.
Written by Dr. Danielle Clair, Director, SBH Resiliency Clinic