Comments on: Does your environment support you?

By: Sarah Andrews

Sarah Andrews — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:09:33 +0000

Thanks for this, it was encouraging. Having recently become an MFT Intern, I have spend the summer working on ways to make my office more inviting. Working for a non-profit allows me to become creative to collect what I needed. I prayed for a couch and recently a local church donated a comfy couch and overstuffed chair as they became aware of our office needs. As I have begun the process or reorganizing, I was also blessed with a large bookshelf which I have just finished painting this morning. I love that decluttering/reorganizing doesn’t need to cost anything and I have appreciated the way that my community wants me to succeed as a counselor and has become part of the process by providing for our non-profit, as well has become a significant referral source as I have been able to share our needs with them. I am amazed that as I have invited others into my life my needs (our practices’ needs) are met, I am challenged and our practice continues to grow. May our clients do the same: share a need, allow another to come alongside, and be amazed at how they grow!

By: Heidi Waldoch

Heidi Waldoch — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:26:13 +0000

I almost think it’s essential to choose your schedule so that you can be effective with clients. Like you said, you’re not your best at 5pm. I’ve noticed that when I take clients really late, I find myself not as happy because I’d rather take clients earlier. I should have a positive attitude and be happy I have clients!! I’m wondering how it shifts from long days and late hours to choosing when I want to work? I have a busy practice and have been doing well, but what IF I stop taking clients late at night? There is that part of me that worries. I’m sure there are other practitioners that feel the same way. Feeling comfortable with that transition can be a big step!

By: Ken Howard, LCSW

Ken Howard, LCSW — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:07:13 +0000

This is a great article! I realized that my office is a very supportive environment, with pictures on the walls that I love and orchids seemingly everywhere. But I realized my home is actually quite cluttered, and not conducive to relaxing after work as much as I’d like. My schedule is very comfortable, though — I attribute my lack-of-burnout in my 17 years of practice to what I call “my ‘always’ and my ‘nevers’”. I only see clients Monday-Friday, I always take lunch 12-1, I take a “coffee/phone calls” break 4-5, I don’t start before 10:00 and I don’t go past 8:00 p.m. I tell my interns that our careers are a “marathon”, not a “sprint”; you have to pace yourself. You can “sprint” for a while, but if you burn the candle at both ends, you’ll just burn out. I have a couple of colleagues who work seeing 12-15 clients per day, but they have no “life” and I don’t think that’s healthy or even ethically possible to do good therapy working that long per day. Like the airlines say about the oxygen masks, “put your mask on first, then help others put on theirs” — we can’t help others if we aren’t taking care of ourselves first. We have to model good self-care. I’ve had a thriving practice for a long time and I’m not burned out or bitter; I must be doing something right. But I really need to de-clutter some areas at home — we can always strive for growth!

By: Susan McConnell, LCSW

Susan McConnell, LCSW — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:42:25 +0000

Hey hey hey Casey! This is such great news. Thank you!

By: Thomas Lucking

Thomas Lucking — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:23:58 +0000

glad you brought this issue up Casey! I used to be a software engineer and have created a database system to track everything about my practice. No little pieces of paper floating around, immediate updates of my website (its all integrated). Smart application of technology has been key to making my environment work for me not against me. I also do tech consulting to help other therapists with systems and websites. Work smarter not harder!

By: Michelle Aycock

Michelle Aycock — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:41:55 +0000

I agree with Casey! You do have to think about structuring your workday around who you are. I realized many years ago that I am a not a morning person. I stopped trying to force myself to work in the morning. I am very blessed to have a very successful private practice that allows me to do this. I see clients beginning in the early afternoon and go through the evening. I now enjoy my work and my life so much more. I have not lost clients due to not having morning hours.