Practice
Self-care Resources
Promoting wellness and preventing professional distress are important to the well-being of the individual psychologist and for professional psychology. Practitioners are encouraged to take care of themselves so that they do not become stressed or progress further along the continuum to distress or impairment. Recognizing signs of personal or collegial distress can be challenging. Even so, psychologists should identify mechanisms to reduce stress and distress and foster appropriate self care.
Early Career Psychologists Practice Self-Care
The Advisory Committee on Colleague Assistance (ACCA) held a competition for Early Career Psychologists (ECPs) who were asked to create a video which emphasizes the importance and benefits of self-care. The two winners of this contest received a one-year membership to APA. Please take a moment to watch these videos.
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An action plan for self-care (PDF, 378KB)
Practicing psychologists have an abiding ethical imperative to engage in self-care. Good self-care is sound prevention, guarding you against severe or chronic distress or even professional impairment.
- Professional Health and Well-being for Psychologists
- Occupational Vulnerability for Psychologists
- Intervening With an Impaired Colleague
- Tips from Practitioners on Finding Work-Life Balance
- Not Going It Alone: Peer Consultation Groups
- Risk Factors and Self-care for Practitioners Working With Trauma Clients
- Alcohol and Problem Drinking
- The Pregnant Therapist: Caring for Yourself While Working With Clients
- Retirement: Making a Successful Transition
- Tips for Self-Care