When clients struggle with mental health issues in the areas of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, psychotic and personality disorders, it impacts them with emotional drain in their internal and external systems. Unattended it continues to deplete energy from their body, relationships, and living circumstances, leading to further physical systems of low energy, lack of motivation, lack of concentration, and poor life choices. The psychological symptoms increase more in confusion, negative thoughts, irrational beliefs, negative view of self, broken support systems, and higher frequency of isolation. This negative cyclical cycle continues, unless it is interrupted in the counseling sessions with proper discernment by the counselors, equipping clients with regular daily routines and responsibilities, that includes times of personal care in activities of daily living, good sleep, shower, daily work schedule, relaxation, hobbies, exercise, engaging with family and support systems and healthy nutritional eating habits. When daily routines have taken hold strongly in client’s life, weekly routines can be introduced. Because of steady progress, clients begin to develop confidence, motivation, reasonable growth in daily/weekly goals, pleasure of participation in life responsibilities, healthy view of self, and perseverance to handle challenges. The Scriptures inform us that God gave Adam to tend the garden (Gen 2:15), even before the fall happened, described in Genesis chapter 3. Therefore, a healthy normal psychological domain for a client includes reasonable work schedule, rest, hobbies, exercise, and good sleep in their daily and weekly routines. Even God after six days of creation rested on the seventh day (Gen 2:1-3). As counselors we must practice self-care to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue in our professional counseling for our effectiveness. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry, took some time away by Himself in prayer (Luke 5:16), rested when He was tired (John 4:5-6), and slept in the boat (Matt 8:23-24). He encouraged His disciples to move to a quiet place, to eat and rest (Mark 6:31). Self-care is crucial for our clients and for ourselves as counselors, for healthy and effective outcome of our psychological well-being and joyous life.
