ABSTRACT
Consistently and actively engaging in self-care has been shown to improve the performance of mental health practitioners by reducing burnout, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and other stress-related psychological problems. Not only is this important to the individual practitioner’s well-being, but ethical standards also mandate the recognition and remediation of any physical, mental, or emotional self-impairment to maintain high standards of care for clients. Professionals in small communities, like the Deaf community, however, confront unique challenges in attending to their self-care. This article investigates these challenges—as well as the rewards—experienced by Deaf and hearing counselors working in mental health care with deaf clients.
Acknowledgment
Appreciation is given to Dr. Mary C. Hufnell who contributed to earlier dialogues that informed the content of this article.
Notes
1Ironically, we often see ourselves as impervious to psychological stresses because we, after all, are the “authorities” in promoting psychological well-being in other people. However, substantial evidence indicates our vulnerability to psychological stress and illness is at least equal to that of the general population (e.g., Craig & Sprang, Citation2010; Lim, Kim, Kim, Yang, & Lee, Citation2010; Linley & Joseph, Citation2007; Richards, Campenni, & Muse-Burke, Citation2010).
2Audism refers to a “schema of audiocentric assumptions and attitudes that are used to rationalize differential stratification, supremacy, and hegemonic privilege” based on one’s ability to hear (Eckert & Rowley, Citation2013, p. 105). For a detailed description of how audism manifests in theory and practice, see Eckert and Rowley (Citation2013).