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Which traumas or triggers do most first responders and helpers struggle with? How does a simple act of self-care make a huge impact on your day? How do you care for yourself amidst clients, work, and family?
In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok speaks about some of the common triggers and trauma of therapists, first responders, and helpers with Jessica Wright.
Podcast Sponsor: Blueprint
Providing great therapy day after day can be challenging – even for the best of us!
At Blueprint, they believe that nothing should get in the way of you doing your best work, which is why they created a platform that provides therapists with an array of clinical tools – things like therapy worksheets, intervention ideas, and digital assessments – that are designed to help you and your clients can stay connected and confident throughout the care journey. Even better, Blueprint helps streamline your documentation so that you can spend less time on your notes and more time on the things that matter.
To learn more and request a free 30-day trial, visit blueprint-health.com
Meet Jessica Wright
Jessica Wright, is an LCSW with 15 years of experience helping the helpers. She is the owner of Wright Choice Counseling, a faith-based practice in Illinois and WA state. She specializes in assisting the helpers to decrease their stress and burnout and improve their marriages.
Visit Wright Choice Counseling and connect on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Email: [email protected]
In This Podcast
- Being a helper of helpers
- The power of a simple act
- Common traumas and triggers for first responders
- Jessica’s advice to private practitioners
Being a helper of helpers
When you’re getting certified with Gottman, there’s a really good PTSD training he offers that he talks about [in] our whole Sound House … all of that is shifted when you’re a helper.
Jessica Wright
If you work as a helper; a therapist, a first responder, or anyone else in the industry, your life often takes on a very different shape from those around you.
As a helper, your self-care needs to look a little different from the average person around you so that you can maintain your emotional, mental, and physical needs to keep continuing to serve others without sacrificing yourself.
The power of a simple act
Self-care does not need to take a long time or be a big event you need to commit a huge amount of energy to. A powerful yet simple act of self-care can be just going for a walk.
If you have had a difficult day with clients as a therapist, or you are struggling with emotionally bringing work home with you, going for even a five- to ten-minute walk can do wonders in relieving tension, clearing your mind, and getting a fresh perspective.
[Going for a short walk] can [help you] to find a sense of peace and [give] grace to [your] partners or kids that are driving [you] crazy when [you’re] stressed out. Jessica Wright
Common traumas and triggers for first responders
1 – “I’m responsible” – taking ownership and responsibility for everyone’s emotions, mental states, or actions and helping them through those consequences.
2 – “I’m in control” – never allowing vulnerability into play or letting someone else support you when you need it.
3 – “Black and white thinking” – feeling like you have to do the tough things and you have to help people whenever there is help needed somewhere.
These are the common issues that many helpers or first responders struggle with both in their professional and personal lives.
If you find yourself struggling with these problems, try some of the following steps to reconnect with your center:
- Come back to your values: use your values as a compass to guide you back to what truly matters instead of getting lost in doing everything for everyone without thinking it through.
Knowing what you value is a big [help to reduce triggers]. For me, I value peace, so if I’m seeing 30 clients a week and working full-time … I don’t feel peace anymore, I feel exhausted.
Jessica Wright
- Connect with your community: whether it is fellow colleagues or loved ones, make space and time to connect with the people that truly see and love you outside of the services that you provide. Let yourself be supported by them.
- Enforce boundaries: enforce your boundaries with yourself and with others.
Jessica’s advice to private practitioners
Find something that brings you joy and doesn’t feel like work – and don’t post it on social media! Don’t hustle it, and keep it as something just for you.
Sponsors mentioned in this episode:
- To learn more about Blueprint and to request a free 30-day trial, visit blueprint-health.com
- What’s your phase of practice?
Useful links mentioned in this episode:
- Visit Wright Choice Counseling and connect on Instagram and LinkedIn.
- Email: [email protected]
- Find out more about Group Practice Launch
- Visit practiceofthepractice.com/apply and join our membership communities!
- Check out practiceofthepractice.com/invite to join Next Level Practice
Check out these additional resources:
- Grief and Trauma Healing with Ashley Mielke | POP 867
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Meet Joe Sanok
Joe Sanok helps counselors to create thriving practices that are the envy of other counselors. He has helped counselors to grow their businesses by 50-500% and is proud of all the private practice owners that are growing their income, influence, and impact on the world. Click here to explore consulting with Joe.
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