If you’re a therapist who feels like self-care always comes last, you’re not alone. Most of us were trained—implicitly or explicitly—to treat our own needs as optional, something to squeeze in after clients, paperwork, and family demands. But what if that belief is exactly what’s draining your energy, your clarity, and even your ability to show up fully for the people you serve?

In today’s episode, we’re kicking off a new series that challenges outdated ideas about self-care and replaces them with essential upgrades. We’ll start with one of the most important shifts: recognizing that self-care isn’t extra—it’s part of the work. Because when we stop treating our well-being as optional, everything changes: our presence in sessions, our resilience, and the sustainability of our careers.

Episode Highlights:

Self-care belief system upgrade #1: Self-care is part of our work
Why the old view doesn't serve us: Self-care is seen as optional and exhaustion is normalized
The new view: Self-care is a core professional competence and part of our deliverables
Self-care experiments:
- Create a reset/recovery ritual
- Audit your schedule
- Professional alignment reflection

Resources Mentioned:

Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time by Brigid Schulte

Registration is now open through September 29th for Thrivival Skills for Therapists, with your choice of formats! More info at the links below:

Option 1: Fall 2025 Cohort

Option 2: Independent Study

Connect with Melissa & Karen at Intentional Therapist:
intentional@intentionaltherapist.ca
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmelissatiessen/

Share one of your own self-care experiments via our SpeakPipe page at: https://www.speakpipe.com/intentionaltherapist

Disclaimer: This podcast seeks to be educational in purpose and is not to be used as clinical advice. Please connect with a therapist one-on-one for personalized support.

E17: Upgrade your self-care belief system! Part 1: Self-care is PART OF our work