A number of my clients are themselves mental health professionals; people who begin each day equipped with the requisite skills needed to be caring and empathetic toward others. Surprisingly, I've discovered that these same folks may not be as tuned in to their own feelings, leaving them at a loss regarding and respecting them.
Also surprising is my own response to this situation. It has been an ongoing journey of allowing myself to take my own feelings into account without judgement, and to respect and even honor them without hubris. In the past I've thought of my feelings as beside the point, and that as a public servant the point should be my client's perspective. But not knowing how I feel is like not knowing what I don’t know and that can lead me down a path away from where I want to go.
That’s why I loved that our IE-CAMFT program chair, Lynn Flewelling, MFT, reported how she decided whom to contact to arrange for CEU trainings offered by IE-CAMFT. At a recent board of directors meeting she relayed that before selecting a speaker she ponders first what she would like to know more about and then pursues a speaker to fulfill her need to know. By taking this route she honors not only that need to know but also thereby shares her feelings with us.
Looking for a way to honor your feelings? Check out the support available from other professionals in our field by reaching out to the ON DEMAND opportunities for training on the IE-CAMFT website. You'll find presentations/CEU opportunities available ON DEMAND on our website at ie-camft.org (http://ie-camft.org/). And, peruse our ON DEMAND LIBRARY; more offerings will be available soon. But, don't delay in checking these out; while all available presentations are free of charge for members currently that will change soon!! Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out at iecamft@gmail.com.
I love being part of IE-CAMFT. It makes me feel that I'm part of the big picture, and that keeps me hopeful!
Warmly,
Paul Velen, MS, LMFT
Nothing done for another is wasted.
