Nearly half of all mental health providers have histories of abuse and family dysfunction, and almost one in five has experienced suicidal ideation. Many therapists and counselors suffer under the weight of their clients’ mental health struggles. All practitioners must learn to practice self-care.

Mental health providers are mindful listeners, problem-solvers, curious inquisitors, supporters, perspective-shifters, consultants, diagnosticians, body regulators, cheerleaders, coaches, guides, and healers. To do all this requires considerable personal reserves. Caring for themselves, as people and professionals, is imperative.

This book addresses the dearth in today’s self-care training by presenting a sustainable approach that is integrative, holistic, and developmentally flexible. When therapists feel deserving of self-care, when their values orient and shape their self-care behaviors and mindset, when mindful awareness of their needs comes frequently and with relative ease, and when their routines, practices, and activities are integrated rather than sporadic and fragmented, they can begin to practice sustainable self-care.

Included in this book are diverse and vital resources that help practitioners:

Go beyond one-off activities to create a self-caring lifestyle. Strengthen the guiding values by which they live and work, in order to prevent burnout and embody wellness. Cultivate mindful awareness of their needs both personal and professional, with special attention to the alignment of the person-practitioner-work environment. Build powerful inner resources such as gratitude, self-compassion, forgiveness, and humor to soothe in response to threats and bounce back from daily challenges. Implement and sustain healthy lifestyle habits that transform simply getting by into more easeful and meaningful living, including neurophysiological supports, meditation and subtle energy practices, mindful media consumption, and community-building.