Self-care is an ethical issue in mental health because mental health professionals have a duty to provide effective and ethical care to their clients or patients. In order to fulfill this duty, mental health professionals must maintain their own physical, mental, and emotional well-being, which includes engaging in self-care activities.

There are several reasons why self-care is an ethical issue in mental health:

1. Quality of Care: Mental health professionals who are experiencing burnout or compassion fatigue may not be able to provide the highest quality of care to their clients or patients. Self-care can help professionals maintain their ability to provide effective and ethical care.

2. Boundaries: Mental health professionals must maintain appropriate boundaries with their clients or patients to avoid ethical violations. Self-care can help professionals maintain their own personal boundaries and avoid becoming too emotionally involved in their clients’ or patients’ lives.

3. Role Modeling: Mental health professionals serve as role models for their clients or patients, and modeling self-care behaviors can encourage clients or patients to prioritize their own well-being.

4. Ethical Codes: Professional ethical codes, such as the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, emphasize the importance of self-care for mental health professionals.

5. Legal Liability: Mental health professionals who do not engage in self-care may be at higher risk of making errors or lapses in judgment that could result in legal liability.

Overall, self-care is an ethical issue in mental health because it is essential for mental health professionals to provide effective and ethical care to their clients or patients. By prioritizing their own well-being, mental health professionals can maintain their ability to provide high-quality care and avoid ethical violations.

why are you asking me how I am
in the end 
you will invalidate my answers
you can't handle them
because in them you will see yourself
how I am is partly the result of how you have been
of what you told me
of what you did and didn’t do
I'm in a constant internal struggle
a vicious circle  between
​what I was
what I am and 
what I will not be
I am
lost

​Poem by Irene M. Rodriguez

Trauma-focused therapy is a specific approach to helping individuals who have experienced trauma. This type of therapy recognizes and emphasizes how the traumatic experience impacts a person's mental, behavioral, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. The purpose of trauma-focused therapy is to offer skills and strategies to assist your child in better understanding, coping with, processing emotions and memories tied to traumatic experiences.

Different therapies modalities may be used in trauma-focused therapy. One of those therapies is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). This therapy uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or audio stimulation, to help the clients reprocess memories and release emotions and sensations associated with the trauma.

Therapists who provide trauma-focused care will take steps to ensure that clients feel both physically and emotionally safe in their sessions. They aim for collaboration, empower their clients by educating them about the treatment options available, and give an active role within this process through transparency towards their own needs and treatment goals without judgment. To help clients who have experienced trauma, therapists must know the best practices. These should also take into account unique cultural considerations for each client's culture to provide them with the most effective treatment possible!

Find  how trauma-focused therapy can be applied to your practice and clients, and what resources you can have available. Feel free to contact Irene M. Rodriguez, LMHC, REAT by email at irodriguez@mindfuljourneycenter.com
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Self-care is essential for everyone, yet it can be challenging to find the time or know where to start. One way to make self-care more accessible is by incorporating expressive arts into your life. Expressive arts are a great way to connect with yourself and express what you might not be able to put into words. This blog post will answer four common questions about using expressive arts for self-care. If you're curious about how expressive arts can help improve your wellbeing, keep reading!
 
What are expressive arts, and why are they beneficial for self-care? What are expressive arts? 

Expressive arts involve using various art forms to express your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. They can be a great way to release stress and tension, connect with your feelings more deeply, and increase creativity. There are endless possibilities for using expressive arts, so you can tailor them to fit your own needs. Expressive arts can encompass various activities, from painting and drawing to poetry and dance. There is no right or wrong way to do this – the key is simple.

How can you get started with expressive arts yourself, even if you don't think of yourself as an artist or creative person? 

The great thing about expressive arts is that there are no rules! You can start by simply doodling on a piece of paper, painting with your non-dominant hand, or trying a new type of writing exercise. 
 
What are some ways to use expressive arts in your self-care routine, both on your own? 

There are no limits when it comes to using expressive arts for self-care. You might want to try painting or drawing when you're feeling stressed out, writing a poem about your day-to-day experiences, or dancing around your living room when you need some energy.  

What are the benefits of using expressive arts for self-care?

There are many benefits to using expressive arts for self-care. It can be a great way to release stress and tension. It can also help you connect with your emotions more intensely, improve communication skills, and increase creativity. I've found that expressive arts have been beneficial for me mentally and physically. Personally, they've helped me connect with my emotions more deeply and understand myself better. Professionally, they've helped me be more creative, expressive in my work, and be more entuned with my clients. I've also found that they make me more patient and compassionate with myself and others.
 
If you're looking for a way to boost your self-care routine, expressive arts may be just what you need! From reducing stress levels to improving your self-compassion, the benefits of expressive arts are plentiful. So why not give it a try? You might be surprised at how much it may help you.