Drs. Karen Dyck & Melissa Tiessen: Navigating the Workplace Hazards of Providing Psychotherapy

Thoughts on Record: Podcast of the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

While self-care is widely acknowledged as being critical to effective and sustainable engagement in the provision of mental health services, it is an area of focus that is frequently neglected by mental health professionals for a variety of complex reasons. Co-founders of the website Intentional Therapist, Drs. Karen Dyck & Melissa Tieseen, return to Thoughts on Record to discuss workplace hazards that mental health professionals must navigate. We also review fundamental aspects of self-care necessary to effectively navigate these hazards. In this discussion we cover:

General 'workplace hazards' that must be navigated by mental health professionals including:

• Patient behaviours
• Working conditions
• Emotional depletion
• Psychic/interpersonal isolation
• Complexity of therapeutic relationships
• Personal disruptions

Impact of the pandemic on therapists and their practice:

• The need for continuous adjustments/managing uncertainty over the past 1.5 years
• Teletherapy-specific impacts on clinician well-being (but also considering emergent opportunties)
• Overall impact on therapists' well-being

Combatting the hazards (especially within the context of the current pandemic) - The 4 C’s of Self-Care:

• Community/Connection
• Compassion
• Courage
• Creativity

Dr. Karen Dyck completed her doctoral degree in clinical psychology at the University of South Dakota and currently works in private practice in Oakbank, Manitoba. She is also presently the Executive Director of the Manitoba Psychological Society. Before shifting to private practice, Karen spent the bulk of her career working within the Rural and Northern Psychology Program at the University of Manitoba’s Department of Clinical Health Psychology, and is a former chair of the Rural and Northern Psychology Section of the Canadian Psychological Association.

Dr. Melissa Tiessen completed her doctoral degree in clinical psychology at McGill University and currently works in private practice in Ottawa, Ontario. Melissa also previously worked in the Rural and Northern Psychology Program at the University of Manitoba, as well as has served as the Education Director for the CPA, overseeing the organization’s accreditation and continuing education activities.

Karen and Melissa both have a longstanding interest in self-care and workplace wellness initiatives. Recognizing that there are so many female mental health professionals, like themselves, who are trying to balance careers with additional caregiving roles, in 2019 Karen and Melissa co-founded Intentional Therapist. Their mission is to help female mental health professionals stay healthy and happy through intentional, creative, and playful self-care.
https://www.intentionaltherapist.ca