Professional Self-Care by Lisa Roderick

Biggest Takeaway

lroderick2 — 2024-10-27 14:10:31 UTC

Counselors who face compassion fatigue likely become individuals who begin to feel helpless. Today's students face a wide range of complicated issues and many small issues. Constantly dealing with traumas and challenging circumstances and seeing these situations not always resolve in ways that we would hope for can create a sense of helplessness.

Importance of Self Care

lroderick2 — 2024-10-27 14:13:45 UTC

If school counselors do not take care of themselves physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually, they will never truly be able to help others. Self-care isn't a "luxury" but rather a necessity. Individuals who want to help others must first be able to help themselves.

Practicing Self Care

lroderick2 — 2024-10-27 14:19:42 UTC

I will set boundaries to help take care of myself. Over the last decade in public education, I have learned that if I do not set boundaries, I will burn out and want to leave the profession. With this in mind, as a school counselor, I will not check my email after 5pm and not before 7am each weekday. This will create a boundary between my work and home life, keeping a healthy separation so I can focus on my family. I will also prioritize my spiritual and physical life by exercising. Being physically healthy is a top priority in self-care, and I often spend my workouts worshiping or praying. Doing these activities will help strengthen my physical and spiritual well-being.

Exercise & Prayer

lroderick2 — 2024-10-27 14:23:15 UTC