Self Care as a Therapist Do we need protecting from people? Sometimes, I think the answer is definitely yes, and sometimes not. I’m often asked, do I need to protect myself as a therapist? I like to think about this in terms of protective factors. I have been doing energy healing and therapeutic work for over 19 years. I know when my energy is off. Over the years, I have learned how to be deeply attuned to myself, and how to bring myself back to my centre. I know that I need 8 or more hours of sleep a night to be the best version of me the next day. I have good sleep hygiene; I am in bed by 9pm and usually asleep by 10pm. I get up at 6.30am every day. I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables every day. I make time for meditation and exercise. My life is busy. I have two young children, I have a thriving marriage, I write for social media and am busy writing a book, and I see my clients. I have learnt what I need to give myself to have such a full life. What I have written above, for me, are the foundation. What are the foundations you need to give yourself every day to be the best version of yourself?

Self-Care as a Therapist

November 3, 2022 0 Comments


Some self-care rituals that are part of my life:

  • I meditate for 20 minutes every day. I use a mantra that a teacher in India gave me
  • I exercise for around 45 minutes at least three times a week
  • I see a maximum of 16 clients a week. This keeps me fresh and attuned
  • As I am in private practice, I control my diary and take frequent holidays
  • My children and my marriage are my priority, so I make sure they get some of the best of me
  • I make time to be with my kids, family and friends

A word about protecting myself as a therapist:

Because my self-care is robust, I don’t feel I need to protect myself from my clients

When clients come in with heavy emotions, it is safe for me to step into what is present with them

If I find myself thinking about a client afterwards:

  • I check in with my body – what is my body holding?
  • I give my body what it needs.
  • I check in with my mind – has some of my stuff been triggered by the content that has been shared?

If yes, I attend to that part of myself.

When we are in our darkest places, we need someone to step in with us, metaphorically hold our hand, and walk into a different space.

Sometimes, our friends and family cannot hold us in the way we need and walk next to us.

This is the role of the healer – the therapist.

CategoriesHealing, Psychotherapy
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