Grief is a universal experience and therapists are not immune to it. In today’s episode of the Colleague Down the Hall podcast, I talk about the ways to manage grief during the holidays, both for us as therapists dealing with personal loss and in our work with clients who are navigating their own grief. I share 10 tips on how to manage our personal grief during the holiday season and 10 tips on how to help our clients who are experiencing the same thing.This episode underscores the importance of acknowledging the universal nature of grief, setting healthy boundaries, seeking support, and fostering a sense of hope and healing for both therapists and clients in the face of loss.
“Sharing your grief journey with trusted individuals can provide perspective, comfort and validation. Lean on family, friends or professional support groups; sharing your experiences with others can provide comfort and understanding. For example, participate in a peer support group where therapists share their experiences of loss and coping strategies. Seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness, and we know this as therapists. It's a common and necessary part of the grieving process, and also crucial to the work we do”
Let’s dig deeper into:
Therapists may face a dual role during the holiday season — managing their personal grief while providing support to clients navigating their own grief.
Private practice therapists face challenges in decision-making, such as canceling sessions or managing caseloads, especially when dealing with personal grief.
Rule of Thumb: if questioning whether to cancel sessions due to personal reasons, it's an indication to do so, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and honoring one's grief.
Tips for therapists' grief management
Tips for therapists supporting clients.
Connect with Jeanene:
*Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook
*Join a clinical consultation group: https://oasisfortherapists.thrivecart.com/enrollment
*Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/
*Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt
*Connect on LInkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/
