Been doing this more and more before of this seeing clients and it helps! What Ii do before seeing clients is look over notes and goals, refresh on counseling skills, and plan what to do after the session so I don't have to quickly come up with a plan once the session ends
I'm currently a coach who is in grad school to be a therapist, but I do feel similarly about the important of "pre-game" pre-client space and rituals. I actually devote several hours in the morning to practices and self-care-meditation, breath work, morning light, listening to inspiring talks, herbs, essential oils, flower essences and breakfast -to nurture myself before i nurture others. This is so fun to see others do. I have shared mine before too-what a great idea to video it. I love that you have a separate office just for doing teletherapy!
I review notes, I think about each person. Then I eat a light breakfast, and -- walk my dogs. So good to walk them, puts me in the right frame of mind. Immediately on my break, I make a review of notes taken, chart while its still fresh, then get the heck outside.
Always try not to schedule my first client in my first hour at the office. I check emails, sometimes get a coffee, turn on the ambiance- lamps, lights, diffuser. Make sure my desk is neat and organized- decompression prior to client sessions is so important.
Since having my baby 4 1/2 months ago, I am so grateful to have an office space! The physical boundary of work helps me keep a mental boundary as well.
I light candles and play music and taking anything that is not about "office time" out of my view. My clients can only see me on the little screen but it makes me feel that different space. And yes, I am dressed exactly as I would be in a legit in person office-even shoes! Just puts me in work mode. And after the last client it takes me about 30 seconds to Mister Rogers myself into play clothes and I put on different music and chill.
Oh my goodness!! I loved this, loved this, loved this!!! Mine is VERY similar but I never really took the time to think about WHY it’s so necessary for me to have my 1 hour before routine. This was SO validating. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your pre-game routine before seeing clients. I think it’s helpful to detach from our personal lives and we get to do whatever works. 🙂👍🏼
You have no idea how much I appreciate your videos. They act as guide for me in private practice, it’s like my TH-cam consultant- if I may say. I relate sooo much and benefit alot from the videos. May God bless you and keep you
Love this video, thank you! I’m typically arriving at my office 2 mins before my first client and this is a good reminder to give myself time and space. Question - can you do a video about your experience doing back to back sessions? Ending sessions “on time” (meaning giving myself a break) is something I’m not great at, and sometimes when I have a loaded back-to-back day I really struggle. Thanks for your great videos!
back to back in-person sessions, I have a big, old fashioned ticking clock, and I look at it 10 minutes before time. At 5 minute, I wrap as appropriate. I end 'doorknob moments' by going out with them, to the bathroom. If I'm consistent, they usually are. On line sessions, I set my phone with a gentle tone.
I miss my office! At home I have pre game routines like pulling/reviewing files, lighting a candle, checking the lighting, turing on a sound machine, checking my phone for last minute cancellations, letting the dogs out, and a few other house related things. I leave 15-30 min between sessions to stretch, let the dogs in, bathroom break etc. It does feel a bit much sometimes!
This is my favorite video by you. Love seeing the pregame routine. I’ll be transitioning back to the office for teletherapy clients as well as crying 4 month can be a lot louder than any sound machine.
I love this! It’s so helpful to get in that headspace and ready to go. Also, I loved seeing that you wear your mask at the drive thru too. I do that even if I’m in the car :)
I am still working from home but this made me miss my office just a little. Right now my pre game is always having a cozy beverage on hand! Iced coffee or tea usually!
I loved this! I've always wondered what other therapists do to prep for their session. I'm the same way in that I do not like coming in minutes before my session, I prefer having at least 15-20 mins to get in the zone, so to speak haha
It really does take me a bit to get into that therapist mode for sure! I've always wondered what other therapists do too. I'm glad I'm not the only one who wonders!
haha! It was DIYed mask I made right at the beginning of everything and despite trying out a million purchased masks since then, it remains my most comfortable mask (and actually stays on my nose!) The part over my ears is a section I crocheted over the elastic so it wouldn't pinch. You can see a bit of it in a video I made about it: th-cam.com/video/s7hWWm1mCy4/w-d-xo.html
Been doing this more and more before of this seeing clients and it helps! What Ii do before seeing clients is look over notes and goals, refresh on counseling skills, and plan what to do after the session so I don't have to quickly come up with a plan once the session ends
I'm currently a coach who is in grad school to be a therapist, but I do feel similarly about the important of "pre-game" pre-client space and rituals. I actually devote several hours in the morning to practices and self-care-meditation, breath work, morning light, listening to inspiring talks, herbs, essential oils, flower essences and breakfast -to nurture myself before i nurture others. This is so fun to see others do. I have shared mine before too-what a great idea to video it. I love that you have a separate office just for doing teletherapy!
Yes!! Pregaming is a must for me too! I pray and review last session notes and then I’m ready to go!!! Thank for sharing this I love it!
That sounds like a great grounding practice!
I review notes, I think about each person. Then I eat a light breakfast, and -- walk my dogs. So good to walk them, puts me in the right frame of mind. Immediately on my break, I make a review of notes taken, chart while its still fresh, then get the heck outside.
Getting outside is everything!
Always try not to schedule my first client in my first hour at the office. I check emails, sometimes get a coffee, turn on the ambiance- lamps, lights, diffuser. Make sure my desk is neat and organized- decompression prior to client sessions is so important.
Absolutely love this! I typically use peppermint essential oil to get ready and say a few affirmations to get grounded😊
I have peppermint oil it helps my office small clean and it wakes me up!!!
I love this! I also like to get to the office early, at least 30 minutes before my first client. Iced coffee and a snack is also a must.
Yes! I always have a snack in my bag for sure!
Since having my baby 4 1/2 months ago, I am so grateful to have an office space! The physical boundary of work helps me keep a mental boundary as well.
I light candles and play music and taking anything that is not about "office time" out of my view. My clients can only see me on the little screen but it makes me feel that different space. And yes, I am dressed exactly as I would be in a legit in person office-even shoes! Just puts me in work mode. And after the last client it takes me about 30 seconds to Mister Rogers myself into play clothes and I put on different music and chill.
That sounds perfect!
I’m newly back into the field and am really enriched by your content. Thank you!
Oh my goodness!! I loved this, loved this, loved this!!! Mine is VERY similar but I never really took the time to think about WHY it’s so necessary for me to have my 1 hour before routine. This was SO validating. Thank you!
Aw, I'm so glad that it was validating (and selfishly, to know I'm not the only one! ☺️)
Thanks for sharing your pre-game routine before seeing clients. I think it’s helpful to detach from our personal lives and we get to do whatever works. 🙂👍🏼
I really appreciate your videos, I am an ayurvedic practitioner and your videos are a wonderful resource! Blessings 🙏🏽
You have no idea how much I appreciate your videos. They act as guide for me in private practice, it’s like my TH-cam consultant- if I may say.
I relate sooo much and benefit alot from the videos. May God bless you and keep you
Aw thank you for your kind comment! :)
I was thinking about making one of these too! I'm so happy I saw yours, it's fun to see what other therapists do to get ready for appointments! 😊
You totally should! I've always wondered what other therapists do beforehand.
Love this video, thank you! I’m typically arriving at my office 2 mins before my first client and this is a good reminder to give myself time and space. Question - can you do a video about your experience doing back to back sessions? Ending sessions “on time” (meaning giving myself a break) is something I’m not great at, and sometimes when I have a loaded back-to-back day I really struggle. Thanks for your great videos!
Same here, girl. And I suspect I have a bit of ADHD, always struggling to be on time for things!!
back to back in-person sessions, I have a big, old fashioned ticking clock, and I look at it 10 minutes before time. At 5 minute, I wrap as appropriate. I end 'doorknob moments' by going out with them, to the bathroom. If I'm consistent, they usually are.
On line sessions, I set my phone with a gentle tone.
Thank you! 😊😊😊
I miss my office! At home I have pre game routines like pulling/reviewing files, lighting a candle, checking the lighting, turing on a sound machine, checking my phone for last minute cancellations, letting the dogs out, and a few other house related things. I leave 15-30 min between sessions to stretch, let the dogs in, bathroom break etc. It does feel a bit much sometimes!
I love having bigger gaps between clients! I used to do that at the end of my last pregnancy and I may need to reintroduce that again!
I love this so much! Routines make me feel so secure and allows me to show up for my clients better.
I feel the same way!
Thank you for your videos, making it fun, taking out the mystery and helping with the stress. I love your approach! It makes me informed, laugh and 😊!
How did you know I wondered how you pre-game?! Weird lol! Loved it!
Hah! Guess I read your mind :)
I love seeing that other people pregame seeing clients! I usually would try to get to the office ~30 mins early.
30 minutes was my ideal pre-pandemic, pre-mom life buffer. I've since upped it because apparently I need extra these days ;)
Love this thank you! You have been really helpful as I am just entering a group private practice and your advice has been great. Thank you!
I'm so glad to hear that!
Liked before even watching the vid!
Haha thanks!
I love this video. It is fun to watch you outside of your usual content which I also like as well.
I'm glad you enjoy it! Sometimes I get a little sleepy with the same style of content and mixing it up keeps it fun for me.
This is my favorite video by you. Love seeing the pregame routine. I’ll be transitioning back to the office for teletherapy clients as well as crying 4 month can be a lot louder than any sound machine.
So true!
Love this! Yes someone else suggested an episode on breaks in between clients :) thank you!!!
Very good routine. I love that transition too.
I love this! It’s so helpful to get in that headspace and ready to go. Also, I loved seeing that you wear your mask at the drive thru too. I do that even if I’m in the car :)
Oh for sure! At least where I live right now a mask is always required around anyone outside of your household - drive thru or not :)
I feel this ❤️
I am still working from home but this made me miss my office just a little. Right now my pre game is always having a cozy beverage on hand! Iced coffee or tea usually!
I'm ALL about that pre-game beverage! :) Hopefully we can all safely return to our offices soon!
I loved this! I've always wondered what other therapists do to prep for their session. I'm the same way in that I do not like coming in minutes before my session, I prefer having at least 15-20 mins to get in the zone, so to speak haha
It really does take me a bit to get into that therapist mode for sure! I've always wondered what other therapists do too. I'm glad I'm not the only one who wonders!
Awesome!❤
I would totally take three hours of quiet time first. ha!
Ummm, tell me about that cloth mask! Were those braided ear hooks?!
haha! It was DIYed mask I made right at the beginning of everything and despite trying out a million purchased masks since then, it remains my most comfortable mask (and actually stays on my nose!) The part over my ears is a section I crocheted over the elastic so it wouldn't pinch. You can see a bit of it in a video I made about it: th-cam.com/video/s7hWWm1mCy4/w-d-xo.html