Did you know that among healthcare workers, those reporting feeling burnt out increased from 11.6% to 19.0% from 2018 to 2022? In 2022, this increased dramatically to at least 45.6% of Doctors, Nurses, and healthcare workers reported feeling burnt out, reflecting a notable rise in mental health challenges within this essential workforce (source: CDC).
In this demanding environment, healthcare worker mental health is crucial and is often neglected. The question then becomes: who provides mental health support to our healthcare workers? There's no denying the importance of self-care in this situation. To help you boost your mental wellness, Marvin is here to introduce strategies to help you implement therapy more effectively.
Let's explore eight ways you can use therapy to take control of your mental wellbeing:
1 - Get Back On Track:
Even the most demanding medical professionals with great tenacity may sometimes feel stuck. This is where therapy, specifically cognitive restructuring, can be incredibly beneficial. Cognitive restructuring is a therapy technique that involves identifying negative thoughts and replacing them with more positive, realistic ones. This approach can be pivotal in overcoming mental hurdles that impede success in various aspects of life, whether career advancement, building relationships, or personal health goals. Therapy provides the tools to shift thought patterns constructively, enabling workers to manage work-related stress, achieve personal well-being, and fulfill their goals.
2 - Deal with Compassion Fatigue:
Compassion fatigue is common among doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Therapy can address the heavy hopelessness that comes from constantly caring for others. This unrelenting stress can lead to mental exhaustion and even put you at a higher risk of severe mental health concerns. Marvin therapists offer strategies to help you cope and recover from this specific kind of burnout. They're there to guide you in recognizing early warning signs and equip you with the tools necessary to rejuvenate your spirit, ensuring you don't lose sight of the joy in your work and personal life.
3 - Find Ways to Slow Down:
In the fast-paced world of healthcare, finding time to slow down and focus on personal well-being can seem nearly impossible. Therapy offers a valuable space for individuals to gain new perspectives and learn effective coping strategies amidst their busy lives. Expert therapists can guide you in establishing routines emphasizing the importance of sleep and relaxation, which are crucial for maintaining mental and physical health. This approach goes beyond stress management; it's about creating a sense of peace and balance in your work and personal life, helping you to thrive in the demanding world of healthcare.
4- Learn Stress Reducing Techniques:
Taking care of patients while dealing with your day-to-day responsibilities may sometimes feel burdensome. Therapy can show you a variety of ways to handle stress and anxiety, allowing you to navigate your feelings by building healthier habits and lightening your load. Even the most minor changes can bring peace.
5- Get Support for your Life Goals:
Are you thinking about making a change in your life? Maybe you’re considering taking on a new job or relationship. Therapy can help you prepare for the journey. Therapists can assist you in setting boundaries, creating goals, and planning for the path ahead. They can aid you in developing time management skills and self-care practices, which is essential for those facing long or irregular hours.
6- Gain Stronger Communication Skills:
Having hard conservations in a medical setting is challenging. Whether you’re talking to a patient, a co-worker, or a family member, communication skills can be improved with therapy. A therapist helps healthcare professionals refine their communication styles to effectively express thoughts, needs, and goals, which are crucial for patient care and personal interactions. Therapy enhances both personal and professional interactions for workers by focusing on the following:
Encouraging open communication for better patient and team engagement.
Practicing active and relational listening to understand patient and colleague perspectives.
Discovering your own stereotypes and learning from them
Fostering respectful communication to build trust with patients and colleagues.
7- Use Anger Wisely:
In the high-stress environment of healthcare, anger is a common and natural response. For individuals in health, therapy can be a valuable tool in learning how to handle this emotion constructively. A therapist can assist in identifying what triggers anger and develop strategies for managing it effectively. Effectively dealing with anger is vital in preventing it from escalating into issues like depression and hypertension.
8- Grieve and Learn to Let Go:
Everyone grieves differently, and sometimes it isn’t easy to let go. Healthcare workers often face emotionally challenging situations, like losing patients or making difficult decisions. Therapists have a variety of coping exercises to encourage healing. These practices allow individuals to work through their thoughts and feelings, helping them to move forward.
So why do we specialize in therapy for healthcare workers? Because you deserve it!
Marvin Behavioral Health specializes in:
Treating physicians and health care workers who understand your unique stressors
Providing diverse therapists based on your preferred ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or language, etc.
Guaranteeing 24/7 availability including nights and weekends
Quick therapy matching appointments
Insurance and private pay accepted with no super bills, and often copay only
We have significantly reduced wait times, averaging 3-4 days for initial sessions, compared to the national average of up to 90 days. Start your mental wellness journey today. Sign up at www.signup.Meetmarvin.com
Additional Resources:
Video: Dr. Daniel Kang, Anesthesiologist, on why he values therapy
Video: Psychiatrist Dr. Whitney McFadden chooses to treat healthcare workers
Video: “A place to breathe”: Marvin therapist Patricia Donovan on why therapy helps If you're experiencing urgent mental health issues, such as suicidal thoughts, please get in touch with 911 or 988 immediately. For dedicated support in a demanding field, start with Marvin by completing a brief registration and take the first step towards improved mental health and overall well-being.
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