Throughout my years in graduate school, my professors emphasized the importance and value of “self-care,” “don’t take your clients’ issues home with you,” “leave it at the door.” Hearing these words of wisdom and implementing them are two completely different things.

As a therapist you spend your day listening to others and doing what you can to help those individuals to get through the issues they are facing. Very seldom do you have a chance to think about yourself during the day. I watched as members of my cohort and colleagues exhausted

themselves and eventually became burned out. The reason they became therapists was lost and they were struggling just to take care of their own mental health.

Before learning effective self-care, it was extremely difficult to leave my work at the office. As a therapist I desperately wanted to help everyone, change lives — as the saying goes – and make a difference in the lives of my clients. As I was caring for everyone else, I unknowingly began to lose myself and my passion to be a therapist.

Fortunately, after a relatively short time, I realized that for me to effectively help my clients, I had to first take care of myself. How could I help anyone if I was not both physically and mentally healthy.

Finding a balance in my own life and learning to take care of myself has not only made me be a better person but has allowed me to be a better therapist. The concept of self-care and separation of work life and personal life is a difficult process that requires continued focus. People strive to succeed in life; unfortunately, the desire for success can inhibit other crucial aspects of their lives. For me, helping others is my passion and has been a life-changing experience. But not allowing my own healthy self-care would prohibit me from inspiring those clients who turn to me for guidance. I need to be my best, so I can give them my best, which is what they deserve.