Sustaining Energy in a Helping Profession

...requires that the therapist:

• is balanced and relaxed (relaxation)
• is receiving as much as giving (nourishment)
• has good boundaries (codependency)
• stays in touch with self (mindfulness)
• stays present and in the present
• appreciates whatever happens
• trusts the client's "core self"
• has faith in a Higher Power
   

... is difficult if the therapist:

• works hard to make something happen
• feels responsible for the client
• questions, advises, explains, worries excessively
• ignores own body, feelings, needs
• avoids certain issues, feelings
• has a need to do it "right", understand, fix, know
• has a need to be liked, accepted, believed
• feels unsupported, hopeless, helpless
• is operating with one or more of the four universal addictions:
  • intensity - low tolerance for boredom;
  • perfection - low tolerance for mistakes or vulnerability;
  • the need to know - low tolerance for the unexpected;
  • what's not working - negativity.