Richard Yep, CEO of ACA
T The ongoing challenges facing much of the world's population are daunting, consuming, and overwhelming. Here in the US, the ongoing battle against the coronavirus, critical discussions about racism, and unconventional national elections can drain a person's energy and spirit. Add to this an economy where so many people are unemployed and so many others in a state of food insecurity.
My message to you is that we cannot allow all of this to overwhelm those who are part of the solution. You are part of the solution. The work of professional advisers and advisory educators, as well as the education and training that advisory doctoral students receive, give me hope for the world many of us imagine: a world of respect, dignity and inclusivity.
I have said this many times in this column: The consulting profession is critical to addressing the challenges facing clients, students and communities. To move on and help others thrive, I encourage you to keep practicing the basics of self-care. Just as you're passionate about helping others find their way, you need to know when it's time to take a break, consult with coworkers, or even stop counseling long enough to recharge.
At ACA we want to help you in your practice, stand up for your profession and ensure that those who can benefit from your work come to you. We can do all of these things, but it won't be a "hill of beans" if we don't have professional advisors to practice, teach and supervise. Burn out and we all lose.
Please take a moment to think about what you are doing (and what you are telling others) about self-care. Look for new ideas on the internet. Search the ACA website for information. Or just grab a large bowl of popcorn and tune in to Netflix. Whatever helps you overcome the challenges professional consultants face, I encourage you to do so regularly. I also strongly recommend that you schedule your self-care activities on your calendar.
I know that your ACA Governing Council is committed to serving, helping and standing up for you. The actions related to license portability, reimbursement issues, issues with practice in the age of COVID-19, and anti-racism are just four examples of the myriad of issues the Board has addressed in recent years. Another important decision by the Governing Council is that the ACA conference will be virtual in 2021. While we'll be missing out on personal chats and hugs, I like the idea that even more professional counselors have the opportunity to gather together, learn, network, and even connect with one another. More information is available at Counseling.org.
I would like your suggestions on what ACA can do for you. When I ask this question and receive suggestions, I sometimes find that we are already providing this resource or service but it has not been well publicized. In other cases, suggestions from members have led us to investigate and respond to an issue.
If you have the time, I'd love to hear what you are doing to make sure you are practicing self-care. You can send me a quick email or a photo because I'm really interested. If you share this information, I also think it will be a good reminder to continue with this practice.
As always, I look forward to your comments, questions and thoughts. Call me at 800-347-6647. 231 or send me an email at [email protected]. You can also follow me on Twitter: @Richyep.
Be healthy.
