Leaving It at the Office: A Guide to Psychotherapist Self-Care

by John C. Norcross, Gary R. VandenBos

Mental health professionals provide better care to their clients when they care for themselves. This highly practical guide--now revised and expanded with even more self-care strategies--has helped thousands of busy psychotherapists balance their personal and professional lives. The book presents 13 research-informed self-care strategies and offers concrete methods for integrating them into daily life. Featuring examples and insights from master therapists, every chapter concludes with a self-care checklist. Infused with a positive message of self-renewal and growth, the book shows clinicians how to leave distress at the office and tend actively to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
 
New to This Edition
*Chapter on mindfulness and self-compassion.
*Increased emphasis on simple, real-time self-care activities.
*New examples from additional master therapists and hundreds of workshop participants.
*Up-to-date research findings on therapist stress and resilience.
*Discussions of competence constellations, building on self-care strengths, moral stress, deliberate practice, pre-session preparation, journaling, and multiculturalism. 
 

Genres: Psychology, Counselling, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Self Help, Grad School, Health

276 pages, Paperback

Published July 7, 2018

Reviews

[Sally Kenney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I am not a therapist, I learned a great deal about how to think about my work/life balance issues. BOUNDARIES! Lots to work on.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book was great for counselors or any other mental health professional to validate the stress of being in the profession and offer helpful thoughts on coping and growing as a professional.

[Tamara M · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and comprehensive but still easy-to-read guide on self-care for helping professionals. There is so many useful concepts and ideas, as well as personal examples and research-findings that the authors share throughout the book. Highly recommended.

[Tamara Suttle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the top 3 best books I've ever read for therapists on the topic of self-care and burnout. Cannot say enough good things about this book!

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humor, wisdom, and research all rolled into a very relatable and discomfiting kick in the pants.

[Shannon Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
This book helped me develop more awareness, self-compassion, and recognition of skills. It helped me identify areas in which I can continue to grow, what is normal, and what are some potential barriers to being an effective counselor (and how to mitigate those issues). It was validating and gave me some great ideas for self-care and self-compassion, along with demarcating work time and personal time. Definitely not a one-size-fits-all and "cognitive reconstructions" might be easier said than done, but it was a great and gentle reminder of how to be myself outside of work in order to do my work well.

[Dakota Pond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed using this book in supervision with masters-level students. We started a little book club in which more seasoned therapists and the students met monthly. It lead to a lot of great conversations about self-care and the challenges we face as therapists/future therapists. It’s a little more challenging to put into practice reading it on my own. Some of it felt long-winded but overall a good reminder to take care of myself and develop more balance.

[Justin M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent focus on the holistic idea of self-care. Some great tips, stats, and resources for clinicians hoping to boost their wellbeing in the midst of a career which seldom emphasizes personal self-care of the professional.

[Carlota · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Remember: you are the one patient who never leaves your practice." (p.205)

[Daniel Barnhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic for any clinician at any stage in their career. A must-read.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives the psychotherapist a plethora of ideas and rationales for taking care of themselves while working in a helping profession. Written in a way that is validating and encouraging, rather than condescending and finger wagging. I'm sure I will return to this book periodically.