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Grace
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
4
Questions
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How bad is the toll?
I know going into the mental health field can take a toll on people but is it to the point where they need to talk about it with other professionals?
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2 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1914
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Grace !
I have spent twenty seven years working with the specific population you have mentioned so my experiences and observations may be of some help to you. The answer to your question is yes. Mental Health professionals build a support system among colleagues both in their agency as well as partner agencies and there are many meetings regarding the progress of mutual clients. There are also many therapeutic conferences for mental health workers at which training and relaxation/recreation are interspersed throughout the day.
Sometimes a co-worker may have an issue with a specific population and it helps to get feedback from co-workers with suggestions and some support or just a listening ear. In this field, you have good days, but there are the really bad days, too. Just like any other work. Over time, you learn to not take things personally and sometimes it does get sad, scary or vicarious trauma creeps in, but most likely your manager and co-workers would be there to talk things out and support and reassure you. That is why if you get a job within this field, hopefully the fellow staff will be rich with understanding, patient and get to know you and appreciate you as an individual.
I would suggest shadowing a few people in this field of work. I had three students shadow me and two of them continued with their degree but the one changed her major as her shadowing experience confirmed that that field of work was not for her. You will pick up vibes and feelings if you shadow someone. You'll either feel turned off or completely interested. You'll walk away at some point knowing which career you'd want. You can also do volunteer work and see how that goes as it is part time and temporary and you don't have to make a commitment to it.
I hope this gives some insight and I wish you all the best !
I have spent twenty seven years working with the specific population you have mentioned so my experiences and observations may be of some help to you. The answer to your question is yes. Mental Health professionals build a support system among colleagues both in their agency as well as partner agencies and there are many meetings regarding the progress of mutual clients. There are also many therapeutic conferences for mental health workers at which training and relaxation/recreation are interspersed throughout the day.
Sometimes a co-worker may have an issue with a specific population and it helps to get feedback from co-workers with suggestions and some support or just a listening ear. In this field, you have good days, but there are the really bad days, too. Just like any other work. Over time, you learn to not take things personally and sometimes it does get sad, scary or vicarious trauma creeps in, but most likely your manager and co-workers would be there to talk things out and support and reassure you. That is why if you get a job within this field, hopefully the fellow staff will be rich with understanding, patient and get to know you and appreciate you as an individual.
I would suggest shadowing a few people in this field of work. I had three students shadow me and two of them continued with their degree but the one changed her major as her shadowing experience confirmed that that field of work was not for her. You will pick up vibes and feelings if you shadow someone. You'll either feel turned off or completely interested. You'll walk away at some point knowing which career you'd want. You can also do volunteer work and see how that goes as it is part time and temporary and you don't have to make a commitment to it.
I hope this gives some insight and I wish you all the best !
Judith-Ann Anderson
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) at AndeersonCounselingTexas( ACT)
106
Answers
Grapevine, Texas
Updated
Judith-Ann’s Answer
Grace, If your job is taking a toll on you, why eat a Toll House Cookie! LOL. Just joking, but not really. Most of all keep your sense of humor. We think the mental health industry is so serious and so negative, but is it really? Should we burden ourselves down with gloom and doom? I say no to burdens that serve no purpose. So how to do that? First, understand your limits and your strengths. Incorporate into your everyday life style a very strong sense of boundaries. A healthy boundary allows vulnerability with protection. A wall allows no vulnerability but plenty of protection. No boundary allows too much vulnerability with absolutely no protection. As a therapist, your job is to protect your heart and your patient's in this most vulnerable setting. If your purpose or intent waivers, your boundaries will be muddied. Mud brings the tolls!
Yes, patients will come to you with serious problems, but the boundary for you as a professional is that you can assist them with professional skills within the sessions. In their session you offer them your skills, your experience, your feedback within the therapeutic time frame. When session is over, your job as a professional is to remain in the office. The patient goes about their way and you the professional stay in your office. You stay in your office physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.
To further emphasize what I am saying, when you feel your profession is taking a toll on you. Consider resting. It's okay to rest. Take a walk. Breathe some good fresh air. Listen to music. Watch comedy shows that make you laugh or smile or escape! Renew, rejuvenate, rejoice! You are in a career that gives you the opportunity to offer a space for someone to be heard, to be listened to, to be understood, and to heal.
Yes, patients will come to you with serious problems, but the boundary for you as a professional is that you can assist them with professional skills within the sessions. In their session you offer them your skills, your experience, your feedback within the therapeutic time frame. When session is over, your job as a professional is to remain in the office. The patient goes about their way and you the professional stay in your office. You stay in your office physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.
To further emphasize what I am saying, when you feel your profession is taking a toll on you. Consider resting. It's okay to rest. Take a walk. Breathe some good fresh air. Listen to music. Watch comedy shows that make you laugh or smile or escape! Renew, rejuvenate, rejoice! You are in a career that gives you the opportunity to offer a space for someone to be heard, to be listened to, to be understood, and to heal.