Staying mentally fit

Mental healthcare workers see and treat clients of varying age groups, gender classifications, educational, cultural and economic backgrounds, and who present with a wide variety of mental health and emotional concerns.

Some of these issues are intense, extraordinarily harsh, and/or traumatic in nature. Over time, it can take its toll on counsellors’ mental health.

It is not always the typical scene of a client relaxing in an armchair or a couch receiving therapy for common stressful life events. Rather, counsellors hear of stories of abusive relationships, tragic motor vehicle accidents, witnessing or being a victim of a crime, drug and alcohol addictions, child abuse, terminal illness … the list goes on.

As resilient as we may think counsellors are, they too need to safeguard their own mental health. Counsellors are people just like the rest of us, who face everyday challenges and are just as vulnerable as the next person.

It is not uncommon for counsellors to receive supervision on a regular basis, where they can review and consult with another mental health professional, one who is well versed and trained to listen and guide those in the same profession.

Counsellors need to pace their schedules, by allowing themselves breaks between clients and setting boundaries in regard to emails and texts. Counsellors need a balanced life, just like their clients.

And just as they encourage some of their clients to do, counsellors too take time off to rejuvenate so as to be healthy for themselves, and be effective for their clients.

In speaking with a few of our own Innova Therapy counsellors, some revealed that they found it therapeutic to physically work out, watch a favourite TV show, go out with friends, and take nature walks. Some open up to a close friend, partner, or family member, with whom they feel safe, to unload their grief from the stories they’ve heard …

Many counsellors don’t have the opportunity to interact with other counsellors throughout the day, and as a result, it can feel rather isolating.

Here at Innova, we greatly appreciate our counsellors and try to contribute to their mental health by having fun group activities. This year, we organized an exciting paintball event and ended the day with a cozy dinner at a local pub.

It was great seeing our counsellors and staff coming together as a group, playing, socializing, and making future plans to get together. Certainly, bonding and supporting relationships fosters mental health.