Have your sessions with clients ever incorporated the topic of assertiveness and its related benefits? If so, then you’re likely familiar with the “Personal Bill of Rights” and how eye opening this resource can be to clients, particularly those who’ve regularly either ignored their needs or put them well below those of others. The Personal Bill of Rights can offer our clients a different way of thinking about themselves which, in turn, can help them start shifting their actions in ways that align more so with their Personal Bill of Rights.

But have you ever thought about how incorporating a Bill of Rights might actually support your self-care? In today’s episode we take a look at three rights, in particular, that can be particularly powerful in supporting female mental health therapists’ self-care. So if you’re interested in finding ways to use personal rights to support your self-care, this episode is for you!

Episode Highlights:

What is a Personal Bill of Rights
3 key rights for therapists:
- I have the right to my own needs for personal space and time
- I have the right to make mistakes and not have to be perfect
- I have the right to change my mind

Self-Care Experiments:

Be an objective observer
Embrace a right and act accordingly
Imagine a female mental health therapist bill of rights

Resources Mentioned:

Kristin Neff's website: https://self-compassion.org/
Visit our website to get your own copy of our FREE 4 C's Self-Care Assessment: https://www.intentionaltherapist.ca

Registration is now open for Thrivival Skills for Therapists, with your choice of formats! More info at the links below and special early bird savings until September 22, 2025:

Option 1: Fall 2025 Cohort *Save $100 with code: PYIYS100

Option 2: Independent Study *Save $50 with code: PYIYS50

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.

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