Before I trained as a Counsellor I worked as a qualified Veterinary Nurse and was in the industry for 12 years. I worked mainly as a Locum Nurse during that time and saw a variety of Practices with varying levels of ways of working together as a team. I loved my job as a Nurse but I found the industry to be extremely stressful. As I began to train as a counsellor whilst still working as a Nurse something began to happen to me, I started to enjoy my job more rather than buckle under the pressure. Training as a counsellor also opened up many conversations with other Veterinary professionals who disclosed feelings of stress managing their roles. I wondered if my new learning of managing my own feelings could be passed onto my colleagues and if it would make a difference to their working lives.
I believe that the Veterinary industry has particular stressors that are quite unique. Through my workshops I hope to encourage people to share with each other their difficulties and wisdom , creating a sense of togetherness and reducing isolation. Resilience is what we can term developing an understanding of what we personally find stressful but finding ways of developing skills and strategies and new perceptions to work with the stressors. Some of the topics I have covered in part work-shops have been
- Work/life balance
- Emotional well-being
- Assertiveness and effective communication skills at work
- Managing Anxiety
- Bereavement in Veterinary Practice
- How we can support each-others mental health
- Mindfulness Practice at work
How the workshops work
I am open to developing a tailored program for your practice depending on your needs and your working routine . In the past I have covered topics suggested by members of the practice. This is not group therapy. All members are asked to keep all information shared with each other confidential, members will not be encouraged to disclose any information that is of a personal nature that they are not comfortable sharing.
All of the workshops can be counted as CPD for the RCVS and each attendee is awarded a certificate at the end of each session.
Cost
Cost is based on my time preparing the workshops, delivery and travel expenses. Please do get in touch to discuss.
So whats next?
If you are interested in finding out more about the topics I cover and how I might be able to work with your practice then do get in touch. I would be very happy to help those who do such amazing jobs feel more mentally resilient.