Gratitude Reflection for Therapists
As therapists, we give so much to our communities and clients. The work we do is deeply meaningful and impactful, but we’re also geared to be growth-oriented which means we’re often quick to see “what could be better” rather than focusing on appreciating “what’s already good.” In the spirit of the holiday season, take some time to reflect on the past year in your practice and acknowledge your wins, the struggles you endured, and the growth you pursued.
The following is an IFS-Informed reflection to help you identify significant moments from the past year in your clinical practice and business. In doing so, you’ll identify the parts of you that worked hard to make that happen. You’ll take time to be with these parts, to understand their intentions and hopes for you, and then offer gratitude for their efforts. Some of your parts may be relieved to see how far you’ve come in the last year and may need to be updated on your progress to know they can perhaps dial things down now and not work so hard. Other parts might bring feelings of disappointment when seeing that your initial goals for the year haven’t been met. These parts may need to be updated to see the things you were up against this year, to have space to feel the disappointment without spiraling into dismay.
Wherever you’re at and however you’re feeling this year in your practice, this reflection guide is aimed at helping you experience a bit more gratitude and appreciation for the effort you put forth to make a meaningful impact on the lives of clients you serve and the business you’re building.
Settling In
Check in with your nervous system. 0-10 (0 being totally calm and at ease, 10 being totally distressed and upset), where is your body at today? Consider taking 3-4 rounds of nervous-system-clearing breath (breathing in for 4, out for 6).
1) Check In Before Celebrating
When you think “let’s celebrate this year’s wins,” what reactions do you notice inside?
If you notice any hesitation or resistance, consider if there is something part of you is worried or concerned about if you were to celebrate your wins. In other words, what are you protecting?
What needs to happen in order to feel safe enough making room for some celebration? (Address the fear/concern, offer reassurance from your highest core Self, start with a titrated, small celebration, etc.)
2) When you think back on the last year in practice, what stands out? What parts of you were present for that? Can you offer gratitude and commitment to support these parts?
Part:
I see you for:
I’m grateful because:
I’ll support you next by:
Part:
I see you for:
I’m grateful because:
I’ll support you next by:
Part:
I see you for:
I’m grateful because:
I’ll support you next by:
If an “undeserving” or “disappointed” part appears, note its concern and offer kindness.
3) Protector Appreciation & Job Update
Consider the parts of you that worked hard to address challenges or promote wins, even if in doing so they created strain to the system. Take time to acknowledge their positive intent and explore openness to tweaking their job description to something lighter.
Part:
Positive Intention:
Update to present day: (what does this part need to see about how things are today?)
Openness to micro-job tweak: (based on the update, are there any changes this part wants to make about how they do what they do?)
Part:
Positive Intention:
Update to present day: (what does this part need to see about how things are today?)
Openness to micro-job tweak: (based on the update, are there any changes this part wants to make about how they do what they do?)
Part:
Positive Intention:
Update to present day: (what does this part need to see about how things are today?)
Openness to micro-job tweak: (based on the update, are there any changes this part wants to make about how they do what they do?)
4) Witness a Win, Store It in the Body
Bring to mind a specific healing moment from this year with a client. Remember as fully as you can, everything about that moment (what you felt in your body, the thoughts that came through your mind, what you said, what you did, what you observed).
Where do gratitude and “we did good” live in your body?
Take 5–6 slow breaths, placing a hand there. A word/phrase for the feeling:
5) Update the Success Definition
What did the metrics-keeper/perfectionist track this year?
Add two gratitude-based metrics for next year (e.g., presence, repair, nervous-system care):
1.
2.
If we measure success this way, what becomes possible?
Tiny ritual to reinforce it (weekly 3-win check-in, closing breath, etc.):
First step + when:
Close & Integrate
One sentence of appreciation from your core to the rest of you:
I hope this reflection guide led you to some self-compassion, appreciation and healing. If you’d like to get connected to a group of therapists committed to community and growth, sign up for the Therapists’ Third Place Networking Group.
