By Hailey Conston

What is a helping professional? In this context, it can mean any person who works in a field that helps others! Broad definition, I know. Helping professionals can include first responders, teachers, nurses, doctors, and those in ministry, to name a few. As a helping professional, we often feel that we can get through life on our own. We have the tools, we have access to all of the information, so why would we need additional help or support? As a helping professional myself, I am here to debunk that myth.

In our careers, we are exposed to difficult situations, experience others’ trauma and hardships secondhand, and have our own life circumstances to work out. Several studies show that up to 67% of mental health workers may experience high levels of burnout. Therefore, having an opportunity to work through some of what we have experienced in and out of work, is an asset, and in the end helps ourselves, friends and family, and those whom we help! We each are wounded in different ways, through past traumas, life experiences, and our own biases. With that, I challenge you to find a mental health counselor or social worker that does not have a single emotional wound. There is still somehow a stigma out there, that if a therapist also needs therapy, they are not equipped to be guiding others through their wounds. Not the case! I consider therapists or helping professionals who prioritize their own counseling to be gaining valuable experience, and insight! Knowing what it is like to be in the client’s chair is valuable for being able to do our job well. If we encourage our clients to use their resources to make healthy decisions, we can be sure we will benefit too. Here’s a few of the benefits you can count on.

1. By helping yourself and prioritizing your own mental health, it will benefit your clients and/or your career.

By processing through your own feelings and situations, you will be more present and attune to your client’s, patient’s, or congregation's needs. When we have unresolved thoughts and feelings, chances are others notice. Helping professionals take on many feelings and emotions from others daily, and it is important to process those with another professional, in a confidential setting, as ethical codes enforce.

2. You will be triggered.

As part of your work includes helping others navigate life’s issues, you will inevitably be triggered yourself. Eventually, something that a client says can trigger your own past life experiences and create a heightened emotional state for you, processing through that with another professional is the healthiest way to cope and build your tolerance.

3. It’s ethical!

Talking to friends and family about the difficulties of work life is at times unethical, and conflicting. Talking to a mental health professional about the hardships and challenges of work life on the other hand is encouraged. This person is also bound by confidentiality and the system is set up for you to have a place to process your challenges while also protecting yourself from the temptation to disclose difficulties to loved ones. Supervisors and coworkers sometimes do not have the bandwidth to help you process to the fullest extent.

As you take time to pray and reflect on areas in your life where you could benefit from counseling yourself, I want to commend you on the incredible work you do. As a fellow helping professional, I see you and value your commitment to serving others selflessly.

INTERESTED IN GETTING STARTED WITH A THERAPIST IN TAMPA, FL?

Having an opportunity to work through some of what you have experienced in and out of work, is an asset, and in the end helps yourself, friends and family, and those whom you help! Our therapists can help from our North Tampa, FL office and our South Tampa, FL office. Follow these simple steps: 

Contact Christian Counseling of Tampa or call us at 813-254-3200

Schedule to meet with one of our counselors at our North or South office.

Start learning how to prioritize your own needs so you can better care for others.

OTHER SERVICES OFFERED WITH CHRISTIAN COUNSELING OF TAMPA 

Our Tampa, FL-based therapy practice offers a wide range of services to meet your specific needs.

We understand the many ways your mental health may be impacted in life. As a result, our team is happy to also offer play therapy, premarital counseling, Christian counseling, counseling for teens and young adults, and therapy for depression. We use a variety of treatment modalities including CBT, EFT, grief therapy, and more! Feel free to learn more about us by visiting our FAQ or blog today.