Supporting Teachers and The Work They are Doing
As a mental health therapist who has worked many years alongside teachers within the school system, I have a deep appreciate for the work that they do. I have seen the effects of teacher stress and burnout firsthand and feel honored to work with teachers who are coping with the additional stressors associated with educating students at this time. Teachers-are-anxious-and-overwhelmed. It is important to support teachers and the work they are doing.
In a survey conducted at the end of March 2020 by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and Collaborative for Social Emotional and Academic Learning 5,000 teachers were asked to describe in their own words, the most frequent emotions they felt each day.
The top five emotions reported were anxious, fearful, worries, overwhelmed, and sad with over 95% of the feelings reported being rooted in anxiety. In fact, anxiety was the most frequently reported emotion.
Common causes of teacher stress and burnout include the following:
• Lack of strong leadership and/ or lack of support from leadership
• Negative work climate
• Increased job demands
• Addressing challenging student behaviors
• Lack of autonomy and decision-making power
• Limited or lack of social and emotional training
Now add in the new stressors of becoming proficient in distance learning and responding to the needs of students and families during these challenging times!
The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence advocates that emotions matter for attention, memory, and learning, decision making, relationships, health and well-being, and for performance. Social and emotional training is an important component that was identified how to support teachers right now. Educators’ emotions matter.
Here are Four Strategies to Support Teachers:
- Create a school culture where staff administration/ leadership have strongly developed their emotional skills.
o Teachers expressed a strong need for honesty, respect, kindness, flexibility, and patience from their school administrators.
o Strongly developed emotional skills can help administrators listen to teachers, respond to their concerns, and be sensitive to their emotional needs. - Support teachers with developing their emotional skills.
o Learn how to recognize emotions, understand their causes and consequences, be able to label, comfortably express, and effectively regulate emotions. Therapy is a great place to do so!
o Prioritize time and resources focused on supporting-teachers-do-their-best-work through opportunities for teachers to share strategies and participate in quality professional development that focuses on teachers’ health and well-being. - Set realistic expectations.
o It takes time to adjust to a “new normal” with on-line learning or return to in-person teaching. This includes setting boundaries around realistic expectations.
o Show compassion and offer support to teachers/ colleagues who are struggling with transitions. - Show support through your actions.
o Offer words of affirmation to express appreciation and support.
o Ask teachers how you can help.
o Donate time and financial resources to help out in areas that are needed.
o Show support through advocating for student and teachers’ needs.
Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC
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Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
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We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
Ways to Implement Workplace Happiness
As a provider in mental health, it is important to take care of employee well-being to offer the best care for our clients. This includes managing stress, being engaged in my work, and feeling a sense of purpose as these factors all help promote a sense of workplace happiness.
Are you or your employees feeling stressed out at work, disengaged, or generally dissatisfied? If so, it may be time to introduce some change to implement workplace happiness.
Considering that the average person spends 1/3 of their life at work, or 90,000 hours working in their lifetime, that is a lot of time being unhappy!
Jessica Pryce-Jones, author of “Happiness at Work” identifies Five Keys to happiness-at-work.
• Contribution – the effort you make and your perception of it
• Conviction – the motivation and resilience you have whatever the circumstances
• Culture – how well you feel you fit
• Commitment – knowing you’re there for the duration
• Confidence – the level of self-belief you have
These five keys are viewed as interwoven. Other important factors Pryce-Jones identified included trust and pride in an organization and recognition from an organization. Workplace happiness includes a sense of achieving at one’s full potential, maximining performance while also incorporating fun.
At CARE, our team “plays together and stays together” The annual retention rate sits at 94% (the national average is 40% in behavioral health)
What’s the secret of happy employees? Check these out to learn more.
• Incorporate fun events throughout the year. Laugh together!
• Encourage events that foster social connections outside the workplace for stronger team cohesion.
• Show you CARE. Be authentic and genuine.
• Greet others. Work to create a respectful inclusive culture.
• Use clear, open communication to build trust.
• Create teams to work through difficult work, get feedback/ ideas, and share success.
• Develop independence/ leadership within the organization.
• Encourage and offer personal and professional growth opportunities. Focus on wellness.
• Offer meaningful perks such as workplace flexibility for work-life balance and employee benefits.
• Create a comfortable, inviting workspaces.
• Praise employees and provide public recognition; be consistent with these areas.
• Work towards a shared mission.
• Focus on the positives. Surround yourself with positive, talented people.
Written By: Charlotte Johnson MA, LPCC
We’re Here to help
Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
Meet Clinicians
We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
Self-CARE Wheel
As we look toward 2021, many of us may take time to reflect on resolutions and intentions to carry into the upcoming new year. For those who struggle with disordered eating and poor body image, this time of year may be especially challenging due to the constant rhetoric and messages around programs designed for weight loss. If you are in recovery from an eating disorder, diet culture’s strong presence during this time may activate parts of you to feel ambivalent around your recovery goals. This is normal and this does not mean you are failing for having those thoughts. You are not alone!
Here are some New Year’s Resolutions and Intentions you can set for overall wellness that are not weight loss or appearance centric, which covers different domains of the Self-Care Wheel which can be found here.
Physical
Reclaiming your relationship to exercise by creating intentions around mindful movement, such as checking out JOYN. JOYN is a Health At Every Size (HAES) fitness streaming platform designed to engage bodies of all shapes, sizes, and abilities with a strong emphasis on joyful movement.
Psychological
Setting intentions around asking for and receiving support when needed. Therapy can be a great place to begin or continue this process as a goal for 2021. CARE has many clinicians who work with disordered eating, body image, and other mental health concerns.
Emotional
Taking time to allow yourself to experience and express your emotions. One way to begin this is practicing more self-compassion. In which ways can you show yourself grace when you are struggling? A great exercise to reflect on this is asking yourself how you would respond to a friend who is having a difficult time.
Spiritual
Spirituality can be defined as “seeking a meaningful connection with something bigger than yourself, which can result in positive emotions, such as peace, awe, contentment, gratitude, and acceptance.” Some intentions around this can include finding a spiritual community, incorporating meditation into your life, going into nature, and finding a cause you are passionate about to volunteer or advocate for.
Professional
Taking time off can be a great intention! 2020 has pushed many work/life balance boundaries, as many people transitioned into working from home. Some intentions to practice this domain of self-care could be focusing on taking breaks, including moving out of your physical work space to eat lunch.
Personal
Taking intentional time to think about the way you want to feel can help you create goals. Finding a “Word of The Year” can help you think about personal goals you want to incorporate into your life. For example, if your word of the year is “Connectedness” you may think of intentions around reaching out to loved ones or those you would like to re-connect with. Or if your word of the year is “Adventurous”, you might discover a new hobby or plan a trip that makes you feel this way.
There are many different ways to be intentional about creating a better YOU in 2021, regardless of what your eating disorder voice or diet culture may have you believe about New Year’s Resolutions. Continue to take time to reflect on the different domains of self-care and ways in which these intentions can align with your recovery goals for overall wellness. You deserve it!
We’re Here to help
Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
Meet Clinicians
We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
Relationships as an Attorney
Relationships as an Attorney
Maintaining relationships as an attorney can be tricky. The demands of a working schedule, meetings, travel, and company requirements can cause strain on the quality and quantity of time you have with a partner, family, or friends! Where is the balance? Here are some tips on how to foster the relationships that matter most to you in the midst of a high demand career.
- Unplug. Take time to spend quality time that is uninterrupted by the business of work, electronics, or outside influences. Take time to spend time and show the people who matter that they are a true priority to you.
- Be Intentional. Making plans is one thing, but what would it be like to make plans and keep them? Making clear, intentional, scheduled commitments is powerful! Date night once a week? Family dinner three times a week? Happy hour once every other week? You have the benefit of fostering the relationships in your life as it works for your schedule!
- Be in the moment.What would our lives be like if we decided to hold ourselves accountable for our own relationships and interactions. “How did I make a valuable connection with a loved one today?” Take time to reflect, practice gratitude, and make meaningful connections.
Taking time to make relationships a priority can be challenging with seemingly no instant gratification. Take time to reflect on how fostering relationships can lead to a long-term reward that will benefit you in the future!
Need help understanding why relationships are so powerful for our support network? Outpatient therapy can help! In therapy you can process current relationships, past relationships, and hopes for future relationships in your life. Here are some great resources!
CARE Counseling – focused on 1-hour weekly sessions for low acuity; CARE now offers Telehealth, which is very convenient for lunch breaks and busy schedules!
2000 Aldrich Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55405
612-223-8898
www.care-clinics.com
We’re Here to help
Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
Meet Clinicians
We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
Being a Mother with a Demanding Job
Being a Mother with a Demanding Job
Finding a work-life balance as an attorney can be extremely difficult. Add being a mother into the mix, and it can feel almost impossible! Many moms feel working mom guilt – “I’m a bad mother because I am choosing a career over my child.” Is this true? No! Here are some truths to hold onto when the mom guilt digs in.
- Create a support network. How hard would it be if there was no support, connection, or strength in numbers to find help in times of need? Surround yourself with strong women who can encourage you and build you up in a society that can break women down.
- Don’t be afraid to talk about the mom guilt. It is hard as a parent in today’s society to feel the pressure of being a “perfect” mother. We need to take time to feel okay talking about the hard things – sometimes being good enough IS good enough.
- Take advantage of playing. Playing is so good for our heart and soul. It can bring a sense of renewal to not only ourselves, but it can create a strong bond and attachment with your child(ren). Give them the reigns to teach you something new about yourself!
- Give yourself permission. It is okay to leave work early to go to the choir concert or the baseball game. Perform at your high level, inform the people who are in the need to know roles, and allow yourself the space to do what you need.
- Focus on why you love your family. Mindfulness is a big buzzword recently, and it is for good reason that we should listen to it. Take time in your day to reflect and be grateful for the family you have – remind yourself why you love them AND why you love working. These things CAN coexist!
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- Another part of this could also be give yourself permission to miss the things that society pressures you to accomplish. It is okay that you can’t sign up to read a book at school every time they need a volunteer! Talk with your child(ren) about the limitations and model emotional health!
The struggles of being a working mother in a high demand job can be overwhelming. If it is becoming overwhelming for you – it is a great idea to seek out help! Short-term outpatient therapy can help with gaining insight, learning coping skills, and helping with managing the guilt that comes with being a working mother.
Check out the services offered at these highly accessible locations:
CARE Counseling – focused on 1-hour weekly sessions for low acuity; CARE now offers Telehealth, which is very convenient for lunch breaks and busy schedules!
2000 Aldrich Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55405
612-223-8898
www.care-clinics.com
We’re Here to help
Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
Meet Clinicians
We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
Work-Life Balance as an Attorney
Work-Life Balance as an Attorney
We are aware that mental illness does not discriminate based on status, race, gender, or occupation. Attorneys have a wonderful opportunity to help those in need, however they also assume a great deal of responsibility in their caseload demands. What does this lead to? Many times it can lead to Anxiety, Depression, or other stressors that can make balancing personal life with occupational life demands.
What are some ways to help find the balance? Here are some tips that could be helpful if you are struggling to find middle ground in a world of extremes.
- Take Five Minutes. What would it be like to take five minutes three times a day to reflect on gratitude and peace? Look for things that you are grateful for in the moment – no matter how big or small they may be. Take this time to unplug as well!
- Clear Your Mind. Meditation is a powerful tool that can help with finding a balance and inner peace. Here are a few great apps that you can use as resources: Headspace; Calm; Balance; Stop, Breathe, Relax; and Insight Timer.
- Eating and Sleeping ARE a Priority! Our dietary habits and sleep hygiene can impact every other aspect of our lives. Make sure you are eating a healthy and balanced diet and getting the recommended amount of sleep you require!
- Schedule Time for Work. It is easy to take work home with use in any job! It is important to schedule time when you take work home. Make sure you set an alarm or timer to help you monitor spending time with friends, family, or hobbies on weekends.
- Let go of Perfection. It can be hard to remember that perfect is not real. Make time to engage in some self compassion and recognize growth that can come out of messy situations!
It is easy to get caught up in a world of high demand and expectations. Make sure you save some space for your well-being.
We’re Here to help
Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
Meet Clinicians
We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
