A DISC Lifestyle Blog
Many High S personality types gravitate towards roles that leverage their inherent ability to listen intently to others - like therapists, counselors, teachers, etc. "Helping" professions can be demanding, challenging, and emotionally taxing.
Consequently, professionals focused on helping others are prone to experiencing distress, burnout, vicarious traumatization, and eventually impaired professional competence.
High S's may be more vulnerable to challenges of impairment due to inherent qualities of compassion, empathy, and caring. The existing evidence suggests that many supportive professionals may not take the necessary steps to prevent and resolve impairment that results from distress and burnout (Floyd, Myszka, & Orr, 1998; Barnett, Baker, Elman, & Schoeneret, 2007). Engaging in self-care can help prevent burnout and maintain one’s psychological wellness.
Self Care:
Self-care is engaging in activities to promote emotional, physical, interpersonal, and spiritual wellness. While this may sound simple enough, self-care is often difficult to execute. This tool offers a list (that is by no means exhaustive) of 20 self-care strategies for psychologists and other helping professionals.
Goal:
The goal of this tool is to provide High S Professionals with advice on burnout and a list of self - care strategies to build resilience and prevent and/or manage burnout.
Advice:
While this tool is targeted at High S helping professionals (therapists/coaches), it may be used by anyone who experiences burnout in their working lives. The self-care strategies listed here are not specific to helping professions.
Take a close look at your calendar and carve out time for self-care, considering when
and where it suits you best. Create your plan in writing and stick to it. This may take
extra preparation, but it is necessary and worth it.
Self-care is individual, so identify which activities help you feel your best.
FAQ’s
Q1: What is the importance of self-care for professionals in helping roles?
A: Professionals in roles such as therapists, counselors, and teachers often dedicate themselves to helping others, which can be emotionally taxing. Engaging in self-care is crucial to prevent burnout and maintain psychological well-being.
Q2: What challenges are High S personality types more susceptible to in helping professions?
A: High S personality types, known for their compassion and empathy, can be vulnerable to challenges like distress, burnout, and vicarious traumatization due to their inherent qualities. This can eventually lead to impaired professional competence.
Q3: How does self-care contribute to preventing burnout?
A: Self-care involves activities that promote emotional, physical, interpersonal, and spiritual well-being. Engaging in self-care strategies helps professionals build resilience and prevent or manage burnout by rejuvenating their overall wellness.
Q4: How can I effectively integrate self-care into my busy schedule?
A: It's essential to schedule dedicated time for self-care. Assess your calendar to find suitable slots and locations. Create a written plan and commit to it, even if it requires extra preparation. Prioritizing self-care is both necessary and rewarding.
Q5: How do I determine which self-care activities are best for me?
A: Self-care is personal. Identify activities that make you feel your best. Experiment with different options and pay attention to how they impact your well-being. What matters most is finding strategies that resonate with you.
References:
Barnett, J. E., Baker, E. K., Elman, N. S., & Schoener, G. R. (2007). In pursuit of
wellness: The self-care imperative. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice,
38(6), 603-612.
Floyd, M. Y., Myszka, M. T., & Orr, P. (1998). Licensed psychologists’ knowledge
and utilization of a state association colleague assistance committee. Professional
Psychology: Research and Practice, 29, 594-598.
and utilization of a state association colleague assistance committee. Professional
Psychology: Research and Practice, 29, 594-598.
Sadler-Gerhardt, C. J., & Stevenson, D. L. (2012). When it all hits the fan: Helping
counselors build resilience and avoid burnout. VIST AS Online (1), ACA.
counselors build resilience and avoid burnout. VIST AS Online (1), ACA.