TOP 10 Recommendations That I Would Give Myself At The Very Beginning Of Practice

2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:43

In August, this year, it will be exactly 5 years from the moment a client first appeared in my work. It was at the OKHMATDET hospital when I was in internship. At that moment it was difficult for me, because I did not have support, and no one could give me the necessary advice. I had to cope on my own … Yes, it sounds so-so.

Thinking about it, I have collected the TOP 10 recommendations that I would give to myself. It is a pity that coming to this experience, I stepped on more than one rake and filled more than one bump. Although … No, it's not a pity - because experience appears only through cones;).

I would like to share this experience.

So, recommendations for beginners to psychologists, from a not quite green therapist, but not yet from an experienced warrior of psychotherapeutic practice:

Don't neglect supervision

It is not possible to be as smart and conscientious as not to take supervision. Even the very best of the best, psychotherapy dinosaurs, veteran warriors, take supervision. Maybe that's why they became seasoned warriors;).

Supervision is important. And there is nothing to polish your crown or spare money. Supervision is important and helpful.

2. Go to personal therapy.

It is not possible, to be as healed and aware, so as not to go to therapy. Thank God, we are all living people, which means that every day we have new experiences, new experiences and new crises. We, of course, can be super-strong and “everything myself”, and “the Russian woman will take it out of the burning hut”, but why heroism? Go to therapy, save your resources, your client's safety, and precious time.

3. Go to groups.

Personal therapy and dynamic supervision are good, but groups are also needed.

All people are alive, which means they tend to blur their eyes. Of course, your therapist and your supervisor can go to personal therapy themselves, and take supervision, and even hypervision, but, nevertheless, we all live in society and often it is a fresh look and fresh experience that helps to get off the ground.

4. Read smart books.

Reading is a trump card in the sleeve; it is one of the tools that can help you understand the mess that sometimes happens in therapy. This is the necessary base, the soil on which you rely in your work. It's much more pleasant to feel the ground under your feet than to be suspended in the air, isn't it?

5. Love your customers.

Without love, comrades, nowhere. We cannot work well with hatred or even dislike; we are not waiters who bring a check and goodbye. We are responsible for our clients (within the framework of our work, not for his life, of course;)), and clients are not obliged to "shovel" for us.

Dislike arose - a reason for supervision. Your anger is your problem, not the client's problem. If this problem is not solved, it often crawls out sideways.

6. Write it down.

It's just easier that way. This makes life easier at the beginning of the practice. Then there is an opportunity to return to something, and to understand something else. And on supervision with notes differently than without them.

Write it down, at least after the session. Write about yourself, about your feelings and experiences, about the client, about the process, about what was and what is now. It's easier.

7. Talk about the contract right away.

Well, what do you need this shame for then? And the anger for the client's violation of the borders? And the guilt, for the fact that they need to be defended, all the same, and if not, then anger for violating borders? A vicious circle, comrades. And in general, different things happen.. But in any case, it is not pleasant to face self-flagellation about contractual issues.

8. Don't jump over your head.

Each therapist has areas in which he is not very much, and topics with which he does not work. On the contrary, it is good when the therapist knows them about himself and does not go there. There is nothing terrible or shameful in this. And if children annoy you, and people who have cancer, terrify you, from which you want to hide from people for a week giving dark thoughts, then you DO NOT need to take them into therapy. To refuse is often not pleasant and perhaps even embarrassing, but it is necessary for one's own safety. And if these “unpleasant” and / or “embarrassing” or something else, still make you take the client and suffer, then this is a good reason for therapy and supervision.

9. Don't be afraid to say NO.

No, you cannot leave your family at three o'clock in the morning and go to the client, because he really needs it; and no - you do not work on Saturdays and Sundays, because this is your personal time; and no - twice and for an hour and a half you will not work either, because it is inappropriate and will not be useful for this client, etc.

Clients who have problems with their own boundaries tend to climb out on their heads. And it is very useful for them to see and feel that you have these very boundaries in place. So, maybe someday they will start to notice their own.

Borders are very important. Yes, the client may leave therapy in the process of labeling them, but your boundaries will be in place, which means you will be safe and sound.

10 (most important). Take care of yourself.

If you are tired like a driven horse, dream of an island without people and you periodically have a desire to kill - take a break. This is really important. Take care of your health and go to the doctor on time. Do not go with a stomach ulcer or sore throat to a client, or when the frost is -50, and you do not have warm boots. Stay at home for treatment and buy yourself some warm boots before you go outside, or reschedule your session to a warmer period. Take a day off if necessary - don't run to work if you're choking.

Clients come and go, and you stay with you forever. So, take care of yourself, love yourself, and your clients will have a chance to follow your example + live more pleasantly, and there will be much more pleasure both in work and in life.

That's all, dear colleagues.

Now I try to follow my own advice - it helps:). I hope it helps you too.

What other recommendations would you add? Write in the comments, it will be very interesting to read and take note.

Good mood to you all:).