SPECIAL FOCUS
How to keep you rself — and your practice — thriving
Creating Ethical Self-Care in a Crisis — While Providing Client Care
In the last five years , I have survived hurricanes Rita , Ike , Harvey , and Beryl . In 2019 , I also experienced the loss of my mother . In February 2021 , Winter Storm Uri brought temperatures of 19 degrees into our Houston homes when the power went out . When the power came back on and the pipes thawed , water leaks destroyed eight of the 10 rooms of my home .
The tools and skills shared with you in this article are the ones I used to get through each of these crises — and the ones I plan to use for crises yet to come . This article is about how to develop the three core skills we need to meet the challenges of a crisis : how we prepare , how we innovate , and how we learn through reflection from our crisis experience .
As Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors ( LCMHCs ), we are commonly called on to provide services after difficult crisis events such as natural disasters , gun violence , or a suicidal death in a school system . During the COVID-19 pandemic , what became a challenge for many of us was facing the crisis concurrently with our clients . This was an unprecedented event . The lesson from this experience : The best time to prepare for a crisis is while we are involved in daily living by working on the coping skills that will serve us well in a crisis .
One of the best ways to move through the crisis is to have great problem-solving skills and a group of people with whom you can discuss these ideas . For example , when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston , many people needed mobile phone service . The Harris County judge and the mayor of Houston called a meeting of all the mobile-phone service providers about the problems , and the next day phone service was provided throughout the county and the city . The mobile service providers began to innovate ways to provide service and then they delivered . This is an example of an innovation that arises out of a need occurring in a crisis .
A crisis does come to an end . When it does , it is important to reflect on what has happened and what has been learned to build tools and skills for the next crisis . The results of reflecting become the building blocks of the foundation from which to work on the next crisis . Without taking the time to pause and gather this information , we are likely to repeat actions that we may not have the time for when the next crisis arrives .
Preparation : Self-Care Strategies and Activities — Before the Next Crisis
Self-care starts with attention to your body , your emotions , your mind , and your environment . When you are practicing daily habits that promote your best self , you are prepared for the challenges that arise . It also means that you can rest , structure your day , be productive , and empower yourself and others to work through challenges because you have practiced doing these things daily before the crisis arrived . You are present and available to help yourself and others through the most difficult days .
Here is a short set of suggestions to start your self-care practices .
1 . Physical Care : Start self-care by taking care of your body . It is important to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night . You can do this by developing a nightly routine that relaxes you and eliminating the use of all technology at least 30 minutes prior to your bedtime . In addition to getting enough sleep , eating healthy meals each day will keep you fueled for your work and play , especially when
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Rebecca Rucker , LPC-S , LMFT , delivered an address at AMHCA ’ s 2021 Annual Conference on ethical self-care while providing client care in a crisis
Rebecca Rucker , is the owner of the Center for Clinical Supervision , Consultation , and Ethical Practice in Houston , Texas . She provides psychotherapy to adults , most of whom work as healthcare providers . Rucker enjoys delivering ethics trainings to regional and national organizations such as the American Mental Health Counselors Association and the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy . In her free time , she can be found reading a book or playing with her three dogs .
The Advocate Magazine 2024 , Issue # 1 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org 99 9