Colleagues,
This week has felt like a year…..do you agree? We are front-line workers treating the psychological effects of the pandemic and we know more is coming. Yet, no matter what population you work with and regardless of your specialty, the work has changed - drastically. In many cases we had to adjust to conducting therapy from our homes, one of the boundaries we were taught to never cross. And while the importance of those boundaries hasn’t changed, the importance of presence and empathy must take precedence. We know that our role is important and that our jobs matter, so we learn to hold space and be effective helpers, regardless of the conditions.
Insight can be both a gift and a burden. It helps us see the gathering storm in the mental health of our society, and then refuses us the refuge of denial about certain patterns. Insight and experience shows us clearly how the fear, isolation, uncertainty, conflicting information and creeping loss will manifest. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt the undeniable impact that Covid-19 is having and will have on the mental health of us, our clients and our country.
Often in times like these, when it is a challenge to keep our own mental health in balance, we can feel like the task is too big, like we are not doing enough. During these weeks I have struggled with my own insecurities about my efficacy and performance, and I’m sure I’m not alone. Am I doing this [new style of treatment] right? How do I connect? How do I continue to support my clients, when there are days I am challenged to make sense of my own emotions and thoughts? How do I continue to show up and hold space?
The answer to all those questions is: We Are Enough. It is enough that we continue to show up, giving a sense of normalcy to the people we serve. It is enough to offer our presence, our listening, our empathy, and our commitment to coming back and walking through the uncertainty with them. Our availability acts as a manifestation of trust and certainty, something we all want now, more than ever. And it is enough.
We recall the things we can do for ourselves to safeguard our mental health. We recommend these strategies to our clients all day long, after all. Breathing, mindfulness, prayer, exercise - all these self-care tools give us different roads to the same place. But in these times, where our presence and clarity are critical, we must not just talk the talk, we must walk the walk.
We know that doing this work is an honor and a privilege. We know that even though the work is hard, we are the lucky ones because we see evidence of trust, courage and change every day. We can do this. I believe in us. We Are Enough.
All Rights Reserved - Alexandra Phillips 2020
Editor - R. Cavanaugh Barger