Book Review: Leaving it at the Office: A Guide to Psychotherapist Self-Care

Abstract

Second edition. "Mental health professionals provide better care to their clients when they care for themselves. This highly practical guide--now revised and expanded with even more self-care strategies--has helped thousands of busy psychotherapists balance their personal and professional lives. The book presents 13 research-informed self-care strategies and offers concrete methods for integrating them into daily life. Featuring examples and insights from master therapists, every chapter concludes with a self-care checklist. Infused with a positive message of self-renewal and growth, the book shows clinicians how to leave distress at the office and tend actively to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. New to This Edition *Chapter on mindfulness and self-compassion. *Increased emphasis on simple, real-time self-care activities. *New examples from additional master therapists and hundreds of workshop participants. *Up-to-date research findings on therapist stress and resilience. *Discussions of competence constellations, building on self-care strengths, moral stress, deliberate practice, pre-session preparation, journaling, and multiculturalism."-- "Mental health professionals provide better care to their clients when they care for themselves. This highly practical guide--now revised and expanded with even more self-care strategies--has helped thousands of busy psychotherapists balance their personal and professional lives. The book presents 13 research-informed self-care strategies and offers concrete methods for integrating them into daily life. Featuring examples and insights from master therapists, every chapter concludes with a self-care checklist. Infused with a positive message of self-renewal and growth, the book shows clinicians how to leave distress at the office and tend actively to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Key Words/Subject Areas: psychotherapy, psychotherapists, clinicians, self-care strategies, self-care checklists, professional development, personal development, healthy boundaries, burnout prevention, stress management, supervision, supervisory relationships, resilience, resilient, vicarious traumatization, compassion fatigue, countertransference Audience: Clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, counselors, and psychiatric nurses; graduate students and trainees in these fields"-- 1. Valuing the Person of the Psychotherapist -- 2. Refocusing on the Rewards -- 3. Recognizing the Hazards -- 4. Minding the Body -- 5. Nurturing Relationships -- 6. Setting Boundaries -- 7. Restructuring Cognitions -- 8. Sustaining Healthy Escapes -- 9. Maintaining Mindfulness -- 10. Creating a Flourishing Environment -- 11. Profiting from Personal Therapy -- 12. Cultivating Spirituality and Mission, with James D. Guy, Jr. -- 13. Fostering Creativity and Growth.