Category: Ethics Category: Ethics (show less) Other: Washington Other: Washington (show less)

Providing mental health care as a therapist, case manager, administrator or in another role is rewarding work but also quite challenging. Whether working in a system or in private practice, change is inevitable requiring one to adapt, learn new knowledge and skills quickly, effectively, and often with little support. In addition, the landscape of our profession has changed in many ways since 2020.  While working from home provides flexibility, it can also result in feeling isolated, disconnected from others, and even lonely. Change requires time and energy and when both seem limited, change can be very stressful.  If you have been running on empty for a while, pushing on to keep meeting the needs of others even though you know you need to pause and rest, you are not alone. Many colleagues are tired, depleted, feeling numb, and even emotionally callused. Thank goodness we can now take time to pause and begin tending to what WE need.
 
Formally recognizing clinician self-care as essential to providing quality care to others gives us permission to pause, rest, and take time for oneself. It is also in alignment with current research findings indicating the therapist’s psychological health and well-being directly relates to treatment outcomes for clients. Yes, how we show up in the room with clients does indeed matter. Therefore, finding ways to practice caring for oneself is not only a personal responsibility and a gift to oneself, but also an ethical obligation for mental health professionals. This workshop is an invitation to do just that! AND earn 6 CE ethics credits while tending to YOUR own health and well-being! Quite recently, the National Association of Social Workers updated the NASW Code of Ethics reflecting an ethical imperative to practice self-care.
 
In this experiential workshop, we will spend the day tending to our own health and well-being WHILE earning ethics credits! We will practice turning attention inward by learning ways to slow down, pause, rest, and check in with oneself, to notice what is needed, and then care for oneself. Throughout the day we will explore key practices taught in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) including breathing techniques, mindful movement, mindful meditation (sitting and walking). Other practices we’ll explore include self-reflective inquiry, dyad and large group sharing too. All are simple, easy-to-use, effective, evidence-based ways to practice Essential-Self care that nourishes body, mind, and soul.
 
By the end of the day, you will:
1.) Understand ethical implications for practicing/not practicing self-care.
2.) Understand research correlating clinician health and well-being to treatment outcomes for clients.
3.) Develop knowledge of the Essential-Self Care Practice including key intervention concepts and practices (Essential-Self, self-care, discipline, self-reflective writing, meditation, mindfulness, mindful practices, peace of mind, breathing techniques, cross-cultural spirituality, etc.)
4.) Experience a variety of ways to practice simple self-care in daily life to cultivate awareness of the Essential-Self.
5.) Identify personal signs of burnout and lifestyle choices that are supportive or undermine health and wellbeing.
6.) Develop a realistic action plan for improved health and wellbeing.
 
We know that practicing self-care improves our health and well-being. When we tend to the longings of our heart, we feel better and show up as our True, Essential Self more often. Being our authentic self simply feels good. As it turns out, self-care benefits not only us but all those around us - including clients and coworkers too. Indeed, it is an essential prerequisite to providing care for others, care that helps them heal.
 
Join us for a day of personal and professional learning to explore Essential-Self care practices that are nurturing and effective. It is finally here-the opportunity to take time to practice what we preach so often to clients, “Take good care of yourself.”
 
Learning Objectives

1. Develop knowledge of the Essential-Self Care Practice including key intervention concepts and practices (Essential-Self, self-care, discipline, self-reflective journaling, meditation, mindfulness, mindful practices, affirmative and contemplative Spirit talk/prayer, phenomenological interventions, cross-cultural spirituality, etc.) 
2. Experience a variety of ways to practice simple self-care in daily life to cultivate awareness of the Essential-Self 
3. Understand ethical implications for practicing/not practicing self-care.
4. Understand research correlating clinician health and well-being to treatment outcomes for clients.
5. Identify personal signs of burnout and lifestyle choices that are supportive or undermine health and wellbeing.
6. Develop a realistic action plan for improved health and wellbeing.