Self-care, as important as the therapy appointment

When working with clients, I am always curious to see where the slight change, the tipping point happens where my clients go from experiencing their symptoms, to experiencing-with-observing their symptoms, to experiencing-with-observing-and-intervening with their symptoms.

One of the ways I do this is to research, research, research, with a constant attitude of curiosity the “novel” experience of reprieve and relief with my clients. Most are experiencing a constant onslaught of anxiety and depressive symptoms–in short, an experience of suffering. What “works” for each client is different. I explore them all, and in session, can usually sense the shift in energy when my clients are experiencing it (but I always ask, always check–you can never assume).

Each session I have with a client, I introduce 1-2 grounding, relaxation, or resource tools. Sometimes clients are already talking about an experience where they felt calm, empowered, strong (any quality that they qualify as positive)–in those cases I explore that experience and enhance it using Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and/or EMDR.

I just found an excellent resource online. Kripalu, a yoga ashram in western Massachusetts, was a frequent place I used to visit for clinical trainings and self-care when I lived in Massachusetts. Today, I am dealing with a slight neck/shoulder injury right now, and thus, need to remind myself to self-care and take breaks, otherwise I cannot turn my head. I was looking for a computer app that would remind me to take breaks and stumbled upon this excellent resource from Kripalu! These are free 5-minute audio podcasts that you can listen to from your computer or from your phone or iPad. Check them out. There are over 22 different podcasts you can listen to–what a bounty!

Website: Kripalu Yoga Breaks

Through iTunes you can download these to your phone or device.

1. Open iTunes
2. Search the iTunes store for “Kripalu Yoga Breaks.”
3. Click a podcast to listen to it, or click “Get” to download the MP3 file to your device.

Prior to listening to the break, gauge your level of distress (for me, my neck was at an 8 in terms of pain prior to doing the neck/shoulders yoga break). Afterwards, as I enjoyed the feeling of the pain reducing, I noticed I was at a 3 or 4.  I recommend that you always take the time to “notice” the shift, and if it was positive (or at least brought you to neutral), that you take time to “savor” that sensation of change.

We’re quick to notice shifts to feeling pain, suffering, negative feelings. We also have to train our brains to pay attention to shifts of positive feelings. This is because our brains are hard-wired to pay attention to negative stimuli–our body’s way of making sure we “survive.”

Let me know which ones you’re enjoying in this set. Let me know of other resources you are finding so I can share them with others.