No matter how many times it happens, when I see a client out and about in the world, I freeze inside. My breath gets shallow, and my heart starts racing. I feel like I have a flashing warning light in my head - Danger! DANGER! Do NOT break confidentiality! 

I’ve been a therapist for over 15 years, and it still happens. The irony is that I don’t really mind seeing my clients in public (most of the time). I know I’m very fortunate to get to work with some wonderful people. In fact, I often think about how if I had met a client somewhere other than in my office, we’d likely be friends.

When the world feels bleaker than usual, I get into reading dystopian novels. There’s something about escaping into an even more difficult world that’s appealing. I can wholeheartedly focus on how these other people are trying to survive and adapt in incredibly difficult circumstances. At least it’s not that bad here, I tell myself as I lean into perspective-taking and distraction.

I keep thinking how complicated it is to carry on with life when we’re feeling utterly worn down. It’s such a messy and confusing struggle, so let’s keep this convo going.

Can we start by acknowledging how overwhelming it is to be exhausted, burned out, worn down AND still have to cope with work? Even prior to this political nightmare right now, I get really angry at capitalism and how it treats people.

We live in a world filled with pain. Tragedies, mistreatment, and suffering are all around us. And, in the face of such difficulty, gratitude can feel trite. However, as highly sensitive therapists, we are very experienced with the concept of both/and.

We live with a mantra of:

My peace does not diminish another’s war.

My joy does not diminish another’s sadness. 

My love does not diminish another’s loss.

Our caring, deeply thoughtful brains and souls can allow both.

Are you a mental health therapist who has opened your laptop to start a telehealth session only to find that your computer has decided to require an update at-this-exact-inopportune-moment? Or, who has logged in to a platform to do something you've done 100 times before only to find that it's changed, and now you're confused? Who has seen a message from a client pop up and then forgotten to respond as you got pulled into the demands of your day? Not to mention, who has done the dreaded - double-booking of clients?? <shudder, shudder>