Sustaining Healthy Escapes (Chapter 8)

Leaving It At The Office

Escapism	Occasional release from professional duties & concomitant immersion in alternative outlets
Healthy Escapes	Adaptive escapes from burdens of the work while at or away from the office. At office: vital breaks, relaxation, humor, get-togethers. Away from office: days off, vacations, leisurely diversions, restorative solitude, personal retreats, play, reading & writing, humor, meditation
Unhealthy Escapes	Flights from reality in the form of avoidance from professional duties (i.e. substance abuse; isolation, sexual acting out, etc.)

Psychotherapists fall prey to burnout and distress, and when we are distressed our energy has to go somewhere. Ideally, the stress would lead us to a healthy work-life balance or integration, where you are effective in the office as a professional and content outside of the office as a person. This balance can sustain both your career and personal life.
The chapter gave many examples of escapism/self-care. Which resonated with you? Do you find yourself actively seeking refuge in the ‘escape’ as much as you would like? What gets in the way? Are there any examples of how you “escape” that were not included in the chapter?
Work hard to NOT compare yourself to others. It is often difficult to feel you are not doing ENOUGH. These thinking patterns are dangerous to self-care. How do you think self-blame & wishful thinking are associated with ineffective self-care? Have there been times you felt these ways and failed to care for yourself? How can you utilize your supervisor to encourage/recognize the need for self-care? How can you as a supervisor encourage/recognize the need for self-care in your supervisees?