The Importance of Practitioner Self-Care Part 1

While keeping oneself healthy is very important to being able to help others, self-care can sometimes be overlooked by practitioners.

We asked board members at ACEP to let us know about how they practice self-care so they can be their best selves when serving their clients. Here are their thoughts on the importance of self-care, and the methods they use for it:

Betsy B. Muller, MBA, ACP-EFT, CEHP, CEC:

One of the things that profoundly influenced me to be more curious about EP was how youthful and energetic the ACEP people I met were.  I knew they were older than I was, yet there was this healthy glow about them!  As I engaged in the certification program, it was exciting to learn that self-care was an essential component of ethical practice.  I had previously worked managing a group medical practice where I witnessed the lapse of self-care more often than I liked, which made me extremely uncomfortable. (I remember thinking YIKES – I am the healthiest person in this place and I feel alone!)

Anyway, my own personal self-care practices are rather extensive, but easy.  I wrote a book on the subject of energy self-care where I share them in greater detail.

• Daily upon waking 16 ounces of water
• Daily after that water – The 5 Tibetan Rites – energy exercises that invigorate the endocrine system and core strength
• 15 minutes + of journal writing – “morning pages” which includes a physical, emotional and gratitude check-in, dream recollection, free-style writing and creation of a positive affirmation for the day
• At least 40 minutes of cardio or yoga each day.
• A very healthy diet most of the time (I follow weight watchers and I am a 21+ year lifetime member)
• Ample water, human contact, nature and humor throughout the day.
• Invoking Divine/angelic protection and prayer in times when life gets complicated
• A witness consciousness approach to discomfort
• A very strong connection to my canine best friend and spirit guide Gracie, the golden retriever

Mandi Freger, M.Ed., DCEP:

I believe practitioner self-care is critical, and it is very much emphasized in ACEP’s certification programs. In order to be truly effective in whatever you do, having a stabilized presence maximizes success. I oftentimes work in close physical proximity with others. From what we know about biofields, my field can influence another’s and vice versa.

I feel using EP techniques (such as over-energy corrections and setting strong thought intentions to positive outcome-based goals) has helped me to be able to maintain good energy hygiene in my work.  From the energy psychology culture, we operate from the premise that thought energy holds a charge. Simply reframing or “flipping” my non-productive thoughts is beneficial in itself. I have also found that the longer I use these techniques over time, the faster and easier it is to self-stabilize. I recommend them to anyone!

Marlene Cameron, MBA, CFA, CPC:

Some of the ways I take care of myself emotionally and energetically on an “almost” daily practice include:

• One hour of a combination of “pajama” yoga and meditation – 40 minutes yoga, 20 minutes meditation and a little tapping. I do this in my pajamas as I work out of a home office and once I get dressed, I feel I should be “at work”.
• Walking outside either at noon or mid-afternoon for 20 – 30 minutes. I live right beside a river with walking paths. This walk also helps to make important decisions.
• If any concerns come up for me during the day, I use EFT.

In addition, I have my own sessions with another energy worker on a weekly basis to help me clear my issues so that I can be present to my clients.

NOTE: CLICK HERE FOR PART 2