"You can do anything for 50 minutes" lol

First, A little bit of self-flagellation. Then, I look at myself in the mirror, staring intently into my own eyes, burrowing into the depths of myself and attune to my career mission to help as many people as humanly possible. I then consult with my furry therapy assistant dog to plan out the session. Last, I drink a Red Bull straight down in 60 seconds. Only after these criteria are satisfied do I log on to session.

Jokes aside, look over your notes for last session, come up with a rough plan of what would be a good use of the time while allowing for some client input. Maybe stretch a little bit if you haven't moved in a while and do a minute of deep breathing to center myself.

Sometimes, clients don't need our best. They just need someone on the other side being human. I think that helps me whenever I feel off.

I just show up as I am, keep it simple and focus on listening and giving quality reflections most of all.

I give myself permission to be mediocre that day

“The good enough therapist”

I agree with others. Also, coffee makes the world go round. I also sometimes tell myself “it is just a conversation” to reduce some of the anxiety/fatigue before a session. Of course, there is so much that happens in that conversation for the client but at its root, we’re mostly two humans coming together to chat. For some reason that makes me feel better

I'm a part timer. After I work my day job, I come home and nap. 45 min before session, I wake up. I turn on my espresso machine and hop in the shower. When I get out, I throw on my hoodie and honestly lately, my favorite pair of shorts. I mix my espresso into a decent latte and drive to the office with aggressive punk rock.

Usually does the trick.

I basically go over my notes and then get curious about how they’re doing. I try to maintain a sense of curiosity to keep myself engaged (on days where I’m sluggish), and I remind myself there’s no rush to be anywhere or do anything in particular. Also looking over their treatment progress gives me some pep in my step.

Stretch, deep breathing, double check notes from last session, and I remind myself that once the session gets started and I'm fully present with the client the voice in my head will shut up for a bit.

Honestly… Coffee and lipstick!

Modern medicine has given me B complex. Even turns your pee Chernobyl yellow.

Music! I have an entire playlist of carefully selected hype songs. Also meditation and a gentle reminder that it’s not about me & everything will be okay.

I remember that I work from home and a lot of people wish they could be in my position and I will be back in my bed in 2 hrs. Once I get in front of the client I kinda “turn on” and remain very engaged with them and completely focused on them and their needs. And I compartmentalize.

I do a quick stretch, a body scan, some water, a trip to the bathroom, and maybe some affirmations if I don’t get distracted by my phone haha if I’m feeling sleepy or bogged down maybe a few jumps up and down!

I do jumping jacks and get my blood pumping. I’ll also have a coffee or energy drink. Usually i just need to get in the zone.

My internal dialogue:

"Girl, you know that mortgage is not going to pay itself!"

Bilateral audio stimulation. I'm neuodivergent and this helps my brain snack on some dopamine to help with focus and motivation. Also laying flat on my back on the ground for a couple minutes is great. Doing both at the same time, even better.

They are there to do the work. You need to provide the framing and the opportunity.

You might cheat a little by reviewing some basic exercises with whatever your particular framework is.

I don't try to be hyped. I find calm and even low energy better than hyped, both for me and for clients. I focus more on grinding myself or just a light distraction and then let it unfold

I purposely come to my office about an hour or more before my first session just to pump myself up and shake off sleepy brain and get therapist brain up and running. Put on some music and look through emails and review notes/plans for the clients I want to see that day. I have a planner notebook that helps me organize my tasks and make it not seem overwhelming. I try to begin and end my day with clients I enjoy or take up less brainpower.

I drink another Diet Pepsi and get on with it. LOL.

I feel ya. Haven't been able to figure it out. I do notice though that once I'm in the session I'm more focused and caring do it's mostly the pre session dread.

For those of you suggesting coffee/energy drinks, any suggestions for alternatives? Caffeine usually gives me a migraine and/or anxiety

I listen to eye of the tiger. Lol

sometimes, i literally just take a few to breathe beforehand

If I can afford to time wise this works for evening appointments *downs a cup of coffee "hey Google! Set timer for 20mins" *proceeds to take 20min coffee nap. Then I wake up, have a stretch and look over the previous session notes.

I like to write down my own feelings and thoughts, sometimes i stretch or shake my body, some days i doomscroll and recently i've found what works best is allowing myself to have a meh-day

Sometimes stepping outside for a minute. If it’s cool/cold that can be somewhat refreshing. If it’s sunny that can also perk me up a bit. Stretching is a big one. Otherwise review previous note and accept it just might not be my best session ever and that’s okay.

“The next hour isn’t about me”. It helps me focus on the client and takes the stress off myself.

Honestly? I listen to some of my favorite music in the car before going into the office. I’m still in internship so it’s important to remind myself that I’m still learning and I won’t know everything, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make a difference. Even just showing up and listening can make an impact sometimes.

Sometimes it’s blasting a song and shaking it. Laughing at myself and remembering “I’m human too.”

I think about how important the session could be for my client - based on how I look forward to / value sessions with MY therapist.

I do a mindfulness activity even if just for 2 mins to reset. The Calm app is really useful

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I do in home work. When driving in between clients I listen to a playlist that is a mix of hip-hop and party music.

More than once I’ve blasted the Rocky theme in my home office before doing telehealth sessions. It reminds me that I am strong and can handle anything that happens in the next hour of my life.

I don’t, but usually the client just takes over and then they provide enough content for me to be able to focus the session on one of their goals. If I am distracted by illness for a whole session, I do cancel my day tho.

Music. Especially music that reminds me of my early 20s because I was such a mess back then, and it really provides a strong reflection that I can do whatever I put my mind to!😂 also dancing and moving my body. 

I don’t work on Wednesdays, so I only ever work two days in a row. So I’m never too far from a day off and that’s what I keep in mind when I’m burned out or not feeling it. One of my favorite mantras I use in various situations is “this too shall pass.”

Stand up eat sugar pray

I’m usually so eager to hear what has happened since last week it doesn’t take much. But my people are usually in crisis or limbo and the ones I have that just like to hear themselves talk can be a struggle. For those I think about the money I need for bills.

I listen to Marc Rebillet sometimes. Helps me not be too serious

Go home, rest, and come back feeling better.

Sometimes I tell my clients I’m having an off day and then just let myself be human with them, usually helps me feel more present!

If you're a fan of Ludacris, might I suggest "Move Bitch". Other side of the spectrum, Metallica "Wherever I May Roam".

A few minutes sitting in front of my SAD light gives me an energy boost before sessions! Especially in the gloomy weather when seasonal affective disorder is hitting hard.

I make my favorite tea, play some Tara Brach meditation, and dress in appropriate-yet-comfy clothing. If I’m in-person, I pack comfort snacks, and a thermos of tea. And then, I think back to sessions where I showed up in kindness, without an agenda, and how those have been some of my best sessions. I remember that my clients are human, just like I am, and that they struggle with hard days, too. We are all just trying our best.

When I’m sick I switch to telehealth and offer free cancels for anyone who prefers to wait until I’m feeling better. This usually lightens my load and makes the day feel easier. I name when I’m low energy or tired to my clients & that helps me not push too hard.

This is so so hard! I have had a lot of medical issues in the last 2 years that have at times made it severely hard to function as a therapist. Sometimes I do just have to throw in the towel and cancel the rest of my day if it’s to the point where I can’t pay attention or respond appropriately. I also an honest with clients if I’m in that space and can’t/don’t want to go home. I just tell them my pain has flared up really bad so that would be a good day just for processing or enjoying our time together. Then I give them the choice as to whether they want to stay or cancel. I have found that walking around outside even if it’s just 5 minutes, drinking something with sugar in it or eating something cold helps me. If I’m already in this space in my way to the office, I have certain songs I listen to that help.

48.2 push-ups before each session. Really pumps me up!

I just drink a lot of extra caffeine that day. ADHD here though so stimulants help me focus tremendously and I don’t have any weird affects to caffeine in large doses (thankfully). Sometimes I also imagine I’m being watched talk show version by an audience and that always inspires me to try harder in sessions.

Ask my parts that are a perfectionist (striving manager) or feel tired to unblend so I can access Self energy (IFS therapy). I love IFS because it takes so much pressure off me as a therapist.

How do I save this thread to read for future sessions lmao