9 Secrets to Surviving Maternity Leave As A Therapist

As therapists, we often prioritize the needs of our clients over our own, which can lead to burnout and exhaustion. But as the old saying goes, “we cannot pour from an empty cup,” therefore as much as we want to focus on helping others, we need to prioritize our health and happiness above all. When pregnant and preparing for maternity leave, it becomes even more crucial to prioritize self-care. Until I became pregnant myself, I had no idea how much of an impact pregnancy could have on a woman’s body, mind and soul. I found myself busier then ever before trying to prep for my new life that was 9 months away, while at the same time running on chronic fatigue, nausea, and the reduced ability to put my own pants and shoes on in the morning.

At that time, I was under prepared for the realities of maternity leave, but now that I am on the other side there are definitely lessons I have learned I will never forget. As therapists, women, and mothers, we need to take care of ourselves so that we can return to our clients refreshed and ready to provide quality care. In this article, I will discuss the importance of self-care during pregnancy and offer some strategies for therapists on maternity leave based of of what I learned on my pregnancy journey.

As you embark on your next journey into motherhood, I hope you strongly consider and make a habit the practice of taking time for yourself in order to preserve your mental health and well-being. I hope this article helps you prep for maternity your leave in a way that leaves you healthy, happy and fulfilled personally as well as professionally.

Designate specific times for self care activities

Self care is not a new concept for many of us. This is something we preach constantly to our clients, but how many of us actually practice this ourselves? I know for myself, pre-baby, I was a bit of a workaholic (ok, still partly am… but much less now). I threw myself into my work hard during the daytime hours, and would rest and relax at home at the end of the work day. This was MUCH easier to do then when it was just myself and a dog. Now with a Little, any free time I have is centered around her care and comfort.

Self care is vital during pregnancy and beyond, as caring for a Little (inside and out) can be physically and emotionally demanding. If I could go back in time, I would tell my pregnant self to practice self care now and to not guilt myself over it. This downtime during pregnancy helps with managing fluctuating energy levels (it’s hard work growing a human) and will also build a health habit to maintain post baby. Designating specific times for self care both pre and post maternity leave also helps on ensuring a smooth transition back into work because it gives you practice having separate personal and professional time.

When it comes to self-care do what you love and fills your soul. This will be different for everyone depending on what type of self care you need. Consider if you are in need of rest or to recharge. For example, when I need to rest, I need quiet time away from everyone. If I need to recharge, I do that best with a large cold glass of water, sleep, and maybe even a hug from a friend.

Some effective self-care strategies could include making time for exercise or relaxation activities, connecting with supportive friends or family members, seeking out therapy or counseling services if needed, and practicing mindfulness techniques. By making your own well-being a priority, you’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges that come with juggling your new role as a parent with your responsibilities as a therapist.

BONUS: It also models health physical and mental health habits for your Little, setting them up on a path towards optimal mental health themselves.

Set boundaries to ensure enough time for rest and recovery

Our work as therapist is emotionally taxing and can leave us vulnerable to becoming overly invested in our clients’ well-being at the expense of our own. However, when going through the profound transition of motherhood, it’s important to draw clear lines between work and personal life. This means blocking off specific times for baby care, sleep and rejuvenation, and sticking to them as much as possible. By prioritizing rest and recovery during this critical time, you’ll return to work more energized and focused – better equipped to continue giving your clients the help they need.

These boundaries that you set for yourself can vary depending on what works for you, your schedule, as well as your energy levels (both mental and physical). Some boundaries to consider are:

• Hours and days worked
• Types of clients you see
• Number of clients on your caseload
• Will you see clients for individual sessions only or multiples
• When will you stop taking new clients?
• Where will your current clients go while you are on your maternity leave? Permanently or temporarily?
• If there is a client in crisis while you are on leave, who manages it? Who should the clients call?

Book Recommendation: The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom’s Guide to Style, Sanity, and Success After Baby

Seeking out support groups or therapy to manage emotional changes during postpartum

As you researching supports for your clients while you are away on maternity leave, don’t forget to do some research of yourself. Every pregnancy and postpartum is different, but regardless if it is an easy or tough pregnancy you are bound to go though some type of adjustment related stressors (or more) as you transition from your pre to post child life.

This transition, with all its hormones, work/family stress, and sleep deprivation, leaves women vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and even birth trauma. Be sure you do your research now of available resources so if you need them later you have then ready to go. I even recommend starting with some resources sooner, such as individual therapy, to get a strong relationship built BEFORE baby arrives. By having these resources already in place you can address any potential risk factors before the start, setting you up for success. Speaking with a licensed therapist can help you process any difficult emotions that come up during this time, allowing you to feel recharged and ready to return to work when the time comes.

SIDE NOTE: You may also consider joining (or creating) a support group with other therapists who are also on maternity leave as this can provide a space for you to share experiences and receive empathy and understanding.

Book Recommendation: To Have and to Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, and the Modern Dilemma

Creating a flexible schedule that allows for both yours and baby’s needs

Creating a flexible schedule that attends to both your and baby’s needs is a critical step on your mission to create a self care toolbox for maternity leave. Being a therapist in private practice means you’re used to being in control of your schedule and adhering to strict timelines. Heck, if you are working at an agency, you may not have control over your schedule AND still have to stick to trick times. However, with the arrival of a newborn, it’s important to recognize that unexpected changes and adjustments will need to be made as babies are not known for their punctuality and often (okay always) take double if not triple the time to complete any task.

Creating (and maintaining) a schedule that allows for fluctuations is important in order to adapt to the ever variable schedule changes that is parenthood. What can mess with a schedule you might ask…

• Sick days
• Nap Time
• Hangry Episodes
• Diaper Changes/Blow Outs
• Tempertanturms
• Doctors Visits (yours and them)– for perspective an infant goes to see the pediatrician approximately 6-10 times for well visits during the first year of life….now add sick visits and that number gets high fast.

Having scheduling flexibility might look like scheduling breaks in between sessions to allow for delays, clean ups, and basic rest. While pregnant, these extra breaks will be a God send as energy levels dip. Once baby comes, those breaks will quickly be filled with feedings, diaper changes, and the ever elusive nap.

Schedule flexibility can also include the following:

• Taking breaks when necessary
• Delegating tasks to others (personal or professional)
• Setting specific work hours that prioritize rest and recovery for both you and your baby.

By creating a flexible schedule that works around yours and your baby’s needs, you can ensure that you are able to provide quality care to your clients without sacrificing much needed rest and recovery time.

Practicing healthy eating habits and staying hydrated to boost energy levels

It may sound obvious, but maintaining healthy eating and drinking habits is crucial during pregnancy, and is especially important for therapists post partum on maternity leave. You would be surprised how hard this basic human need can be while pregnant (I struggled with chronic nausea) and postpartum. Neglecting to take care your your basic needs for proper hydration and nutrition, can lead to negative effects on both you and the baby, such as increased fatigue, decreased productivity and focus at work, and a compromised immune system.

Making sure you eat regular and nutritious meals throughout the day can help maintain energy levels and improve overall mood. It may also be helpful to reduce or eliminate caffeine and alcohol intake as these can have negative impacts on pregnancy as well (TIP: if you are planning to become pregnant and are a frequent caffeine user, consider cutting back or eliminating now so the withdrawal symptoms are not as bad while pregnant). If this is something you struggle with, you may want to consider seeking out resources or speaking with a healthcare provider for personalized advice on how to maintaining healthy habits during this season of life.

Finding ways to stay connected to the profession

Motherhood has many beautiful moments that are easy to get lost in, however it is important to remember that you are more then just a mom. Staying connected to the profession via networking, continuing education, and just plain staying “in the know” can help you preserve some of of your professional identity, as well as keep you current on events in the field so you are ready when you return. Staying informed about current research or advancements in therapeutic techniques keeps therapists updated with best practices that they can implement upon returning to work, making them better-equipped professionals overall.

PSA Announcement: If you decide you are not ready or wanting to return to being a therapist post baby THAT IS OKAY. Whatever your reason for not returning to the therapy office, know that there are other ways to build financial security using your mental health knowledge. Grab my FREE PDF on how to diversify your income as a therapist by clicking here.

Learn the lesson that that work can wait, and family comes first

In today’s fast-paced world, we often find ourselves chasing deadlines and trying to finish work as quickly as possible. We are so consumed with our professional lives that we forget the importance of family and loved ones. It is crucial to remember that work can wait, but family and relationships cannot.

To put it in perspective, as a parent you will get about….

• 13 firs days of school
• 20 tooth fairy visits
• 5 years with a small child before they go to school fulltime
• 2 proms
• 1 high school graduation

Work-life balance is essential for a happy and healthy life. However, it can be challenging to achieve this balance in today’s competitive world. Many people struggle with finding time for their families while keeping up with the demands of work. This imbalance can lead to stress, burnout, and even deterioration in personal relationships.

Use this upcoming maternity leave as a chance to re-evaluate your priorities and make an active choice as to how you want to spend your time. It is easy to get caught up in the rat-race because that is what everyone else is doing (especially here on the East Coast). Just because others are doing it though, does not mean it is right for you.

Build and maintain a strong professional support network

As a working mother, taking maternity leave can be an exciting yet daunting experience. While bonding with your newborn is important, it’s also essential to ensure that you have a strong professional support network in place to help navigate the challenges of returning to work. Building and maintaining this network can make all the difference in having a successful maternity leave.

Firstly, connect with other working mothers who have recently gone on maternity leave or returned to work after having a baby. These women understand the unique challenges of balancing work and motherhood and can offer valuable advice and support. You may also want to join online communities such as LinkedIn groups or Facebook groups for working mothers.

Secondly, stay in touch with your colleagues while on maternity leave. This will keep you up-to-date on what’s happening at work and make it easier to return when the time comes. You might consider transferring some of your current clients to these peers while you are on break. Who knows, the favor might be returned to you if/when they decide to build their families.

Importance of financial security and flexibility

The field of mental health, specifically outpatient therapy, thrives off of the building of a strong therapeutic relationship and our direct client work. This personalized treatment creates beautiful healing transformations, however also means that we are trading our time for dollars.

More simply put, if we don’t show up for work, we are not getting paid.

Preparing for maternity leave requires financial planning and flexibility. It is important for therapists to assess their finances and build a savings cushion before taking time off. This can provide a sense of security and peace of mind, especially if unexpected expenses arise during the leave period.

I know when I was pregnant, I was extremely worried about finances even before taking maternity leave because the reality was I had to stop taking on new clients 2-3 months before my leave even started. If you pair that with having to re-build a caseload upon returning, we are looking at close to 10-12 months of a reduces income due to having a small or no caseload. This is a huge chunk of time and money gone! Because of this it is vital to prepare well ahead to make sure that your have financial stability and a savings but also some flexibility of where you are getting your income form.

Don’t fret, there are various ways to prepare yourself financially for your maternity leave. Consider one or more of the below ideas:

• take on extra clietns LONG BEFORE your leave so you can save for a rainy day
• add groups to your schedule so you can maximize the “one to many” model of treatment
• consider blogging and using affiliate marketing to add a passive income stream. Learn ore about this here
• talk to a financial advisor about how to invest your money for long term gains
• investigate different options for income during maternity leave, such as paid time off or short-term disability insurance
• look into FMLA policies

Conclusion

In conclusion, self-care is a crucial aspect of any therapist’s life, but it becomes even more important for pregnant therapists preparing for maternity leave. By prioritizing our own needs and taking care of ourselves, we not only ensure a healthy pregnancy and postpartum period but also benefit our clients by being well-rested, present, and focused during sessions. Taking time for self-care may seem like a luxury or an inconvenience at first, but it is essential for our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Let us not forget that we cannot pour from an empty cup. So let us take care of ourselves so that we can continue to provide compassionate care to our clients.