
As someone who’s sat on both the therapist chair and the client couch, I know how hard—and brave—it is to start therapy. To sit in front of a total stranger and word-vomit your life story, to reveal your darkest secrets and your deepest fears, and to admit your most neurotic tendencies. (Okay, maybe that last one’s just me.) But on a serious note, getting help is tough, whether it’s due to the stigma sometimes still associated with going to therapy in some circles or the sheer overwhelm of finding a therapist. What’s the best approach? Should I do in-person or online counseling? What kind of therapist should I see? Will my insurance cover treatment?
Navigating the choices can be downright daunting, especially for animal advocates who are emotionally exhausted as it is and have very specific needs that, unfortunately, not all therapists are sensitive to or equipped to treat. In this blog series, I’m going to help you navigate the therapy jungle by breaking down some of the best options for getting the help you need.
What is Psychotherapy?
Hollywood tends to portray therapy as lying on a couch while some mysterious old white guy in a cardigan sweater sits off to the side nodding his heading and asking you, “And how does that make you feel?” While it’s true that Sigmund Freud perpetuated this stereotype (fun fact, Freud admitted that sitting face to face was uncomfortable for him), modern-day psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” has evolved into a multi-faceted discipline with a variety of approaches to fit the diverse needs of society. Psychotherapy can have a myriad of benefits for advocates and activists who are struggling with the emotional consequences of working to protect animals. Because you work in such a highly charged environment and are confronted with secondary trauma on a regular basis, it’s imperative to have an outlet for your pain.
Talk therapy is just that—talking to a trained professional about your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and experiences in a safe, supportive, and confidential space. And while you will catch us wearing cardigans (it’s a therapist thing…), nodding our heads, and asking how you feel about certain things, therapy is so much more. A good therapist will act as a supportive and non-judgmental guide allowing you to openly talk about, process, and heal from the challenges you’ve experienced both in your personal and professional life. Not only can you gain emotional support, but also validation, which I think is crucial to helping this community as a whole feel more understood and less isolated. A good therapist will help you process painful emotions; develop better coping strategies; reduce symptoms; learn stress management skills; conquer negative thinking patterns, beliefs, and behaviors; and develop communication and interpersonal skills, all while helping you gain powerful insight, heal from trauma, and improve your overall well-being.
But They Just Don’t Get It…
You may have noticed I used the words good therapist several times. Like any profession, there are great therapists and not-so-great therapists. In my work with animal welfare organizations across the country, I’ve also talked to dozens of folks who tell me how beneficial therapy has been for them. However, a handful of people have also reported that they’ve tried therapy in the past, but whenever they brought up animal-related trauma, the therapist changed the subject. Or the therapist seemed squeamish. I always reply with the same statement: If you’re trauma is traumatizing your therapist, you’re with the wrong therapist! I get it; I’ve had many clients end up on my therapy couch after trying a handful of other therapists who just “don’t get it.”
Let me be clear. A therapist’s job is to be able to hold space for whatever—and I mean whatever—the client is struggling with. While it’s true that therapists also deal with compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress, it’s not your responsibility to protect them. It’s up to your therapist to self-regulate themselves during and after hearing about other people’s traumatic experiences, just as it’s up to all other caregivers—animal welfare workers and activists included—to practice self-care and other resilience skills in order to effectively help the most vulnerable populations they have chosen to serve. Okay, off my soapbox! Seriously, folks, if you’ve tried therapy and didn’t find it beneficial, please try again. The right fit for you is out there.
Where Can I Find a Therapist?
Finding the right fit can be a challenge, given the unique and often misunderstood nature of animal work. The good news is that compassion fatigue and secondary trauma have been gaining recognition, and these days more and more mental health professionals are skilled at treating both. In fact, one of the turning points was in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, which shined a spotlight on the secondary trauma experienced not only by first responders, but collectively as an entire nation.
Since you no doubt may need to share stories and experiences that may be graphic and upsetting, you may want to look for someone who is specifically trained in trauma and/or grief and loss, as they tend to be better prepared to hold space for those types of sensitive issues. And don't be afraid to ask questions. For example, before you start working with someone, ask if they are comfortable hearing about animal suffering. If what you need to talk about involves graphic details, ask if they are prepared to handle that.
The following are some suggestions on where to start looking for professional support.
· Does your organization have an EAP (employee assistance program)? If so, these programs may provide a limited or unlimited amount of free therapy sessions.
· Word of mouth can be a great way to find a great therapist. Ask friends, family members, or colleagues for recommendations.
· Ask your primary care physician or insurance company for a referral.
· Check out the following therapist directories, which often allow you to apply search filters in order to narrow down clinicians based on geographic area, types of issues they specialize in, their approach to therapy, formats offered (e.g., in person, online, etc.), whether or not they accept insurance, and so on.
Finding the right therapist may take time, but it’s an investment that’s well worth the effort. Whether you’re struggling with secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, or just need someone to talk to, the right support can make all the difference. Remember, you don’t have to go through this alone—help is available, and healing is possible.
Stay tuned for part two of this blog series, where we’ll dive into the different types of therapists and treatment approaches.
-By Jen Blough
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