Leaving It at the Office A Guide to Psychotherapist Self-Care

Mental health professionals provide better care to their clients when they care for themselves. This acclaimed highly practical guide--now revised and expanded with even more self-care strategies--helps 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, presession preparation, journaling, and multiculturalism.
 

John C. Norcross, PhD, ABPP, is Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of Scranton, Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University, and a board-certified clinical psychologist in part-time practice. He has served as president of the International Society of Clinical Psychology and of Division 29 (Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy) and Division 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology) of the American Psychological Association (APA). With more than 350 scholarly publications, Dr. Norcross has authored or edited numerous books, including Leaving It at the Office, Second Edition: A Guide to Psychotherapist Self-Care and Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology: 2018/2019 Edition. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Career Contribution to Education and Training Award from the APA, the Pennsylvania Professor of the Year Award from the Carnegie Foundation, and the Rosalee Weiss Award from the American Psychological Foundation, and is an elected member of the National Academies of Practice. Dr. Norcross has given lectures and workshops in 30 countries.
 
Gary R. VandenBos, PhD, ABPP, is Emeritus Professor II of Clinical Psychology at the University of Bergen, Norway, and a board-certified clinical psychologist in part-time practice in the Washington, D.C., area. He is also former Publisher of the American Psychological Association (APA), a position he held for 30 years. Dr. VandenBos has written or edited 35 books and numerous journal articles, many in his two primary areas of expertise, schizophrenia and violent individuals. He has served as president of APA Division 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology) and served on the Council of Representatives for Division 26 (Society for the History of Psychology). He is a past editor of American Psychologist, Professional Psychology, Psychological Services, and several other journals. Dr. VandenBos is a recipient of both the Early Career Award and the Distinguished Psychologist Award for Contributions to Psychology and Psychotherapy from APA Division 29 (Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy).
 

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
References
Index