Finding the 'Sweet Spot' as a Therapist Mom: Empowered Boundaries - Part 4

Unveiling the Struggle

Being a Therapist Mom is a multifaceted journey, a high speed car race where the demands of your therapeutic profession collide with the responsibilities of parenthood. In this blog post, Part 4 of the “Finding the 'Sweet Spot” series, we pinpoint the struggles faced by Therapist Moms and unravel the important role empowered boundaries play in navigating the ins and outs of motherhood and entrepreneurship.

Being a Therapist Mom is a multifaceted journey, a high speed car race where the demands of your therapeutic profession collide with the responsibilities of parenthood. In this blog post, Part 4 of the “Finding the 'Sweet Spot” series, we pinpoint the struggles faced by Therapist Moms and unravel the important role empowered boundaries play in navigating the ins and outs of motherhood and entrepreneurship.

1. Struggling to balance personal and professional life.

   • The Dilemma: Picture this - a hectic day filled with back-to-back therapy sessions followed by a mad dash to pick up the kids from school. The constant tug-of-war between work commitments and family obligations can leave Therapist Moms feeling stretched thin, yearning for a more harmonious balance.

2. Navigating the emotional demands of therapy.

   • The Emotional Rollercoaster: Therapist Moms often find themselves on an emotional rollercoaster, absorbing the feelings and challenges of their clients. Balancing this emotional load while maintaining a stable and supportive environment for their own families becomes a delicate balance, impacting their mental and emotional well-being.

3. Confronting societal expectations and stereotypes.

   • Societal Pressure: The societal expectation for Therapist Moms to seamlessly balance their professional and personal lives can be infuriating. The stereotype that their empathy should extend limitlessly, both in the therapy room and at home, adds an extra layer of pressure. Overcoming these societal expectations is an ongoing battle, requiring a firm commitment to establishing empowered boundaries.

Who am I?

Hi! I’m MacKenzie, your Self-Care Mompanion. I’m a therapist and mom, too. Over the past couple of years I’ve been working hard to embrace who I am as a Therapist and Mom. I’ve been challenging some of the societal norms of each role. Something that has helped me tremendously is finding groups of like-minded Therapist Moms to get support from. These women are much like yourself.

Crafting Empowered Boundaries

Recognizing Your Non-Negotiables

Setting the Foundation

In the complex world of Therapist Moms, identifying your non-negotiables is crucial. These are the pillars (usually values based) that support your well-being and define the boundaries between your Therapist self and your Mom self.

Tips:

1. Identify your Ideal Schedule: What does your schedule look like currently compared to what you want it to look like? How can you move more toward the ideal? Making few allowances for working outside of this ideal schedule will make for a much easier transition back to Mom-mode.

2. Prioritize Self-Care: Make self-care non-negotiable. I know, I know, I sound like a broken record. But there’s a reason! Self-care is not a luxury but a necessity for sustaining everything. It doesn’t matter what we’re talking about, self-care is going to be your answer. Self-care will make it easier for you to set boundaries, transition back and forth between work and home, maintain emotional resilience.

3. Effective Communication: Develop clear and open communication channels with both clients and family, setting expectations for availability. Stick to what you say to clients. Yes, there can always be exceptions, but sometimes those then become expectations from others. Along the lines of communication, when saying ‘no’ to something, remember it’s not about not having the time, it’s about where you want to spend your energy. And you owe no explanation for your choices.

Empowered Boundaries in Action

Navigating the Journey

Facing the Challenges Head-On

Facing these challenges head-on as a Therapist Mom involves a proactive and intentional approach. Let's explore how you can take charge and use these empowered boundaries to create a more harmonious life.

Balancing personal and professional life:

• Create a Schedule that Works for You: Tailor your work schedule to align with your family needs. It’s okay to do that. That’s why we’re working for ourselves and not someone else. The ability to designate specific times for work, family, and personal activities, ensures that each aspect receives the attention it deserves.

• Prioritize and Delegate: Identify priorities both at work and home. Delegate tasks when possible, and don't hesitate to seek support from your partner, family, or friends. Embracing the power of delegation is a crucial step in maintaining balance.

Navigating the emotional demands of therapy:

• Establish Emotional Boundaries: While empathy is a strength, establishing emotional boundaries is equally vital. Develop practices, such as mindfulness and self-reflection, to navigate the emotional demands of therapy without carrying them into your personal space and vice versa. Sometimes easier than others, needless to say.

• Regular Supervision and Peer Support: Regular supervision and seeking support from fellow therapists provide avenues to process challenging cases and emotions. This ensures you maintain a healthy emotional distance and resilience.

Confronting societal expectations and stereotypes:

• Set Clear Expectations: Communicate openly with your family about your professional commitments and the expectations you have for your role as a mom and them as your family members. Setting clear expectations helps manage both internal and external pressures.

• Challenge Stereotypes: Actively challenge societal stereotypes. Embrace the idea that empowered boundaries not only benefit you but also contribute to breaking down unrealistic expectations placed on Therapist Moms. (Your future daughter-in-law is going to thank you.)

Facing these challenges head-on involves a blend of strategic planning, assertiveness, and a commitment to making life work for you, not the other way around. By implementing these actionable strategies, Therapist Moms can navigate the complexities, create empowered boundaries, and find their ‘sweet spot’ between professional success and personal fulfillment.

Empowered boundaries are the compass that guides Therapist Moms to the intersection of having your cake and wanting to eat it too—a place where professional success and personal fulfillment coexist. You CAN have it all.

Here's how you can work with me:

1. Self-Reflection: Begin by reflecting on your own experience, expectations and self-care. How are those all impacting each other? Check out Journey to Self-Care Journaling Workbook to get started.

2. Schedule a Consultation: Reach out for a consultation where we can discuss your specific challenges and goals.

3. Customized Strategies: Together, we'll develop personalized strategies to help you let go of perfectionism, find balance and embrace the imperfections that make motherhood unique.