Jan
4
Written by:
Greta Bullock
1/4/2011 5:46 AM
Some school-based therapists work in relative isolation. This could be for a variety of reasons including the itinerant nature of school-based therapy, geography, limited need for service necessitating only one therapist in an area, etc.
As a school-based physical therapist, I especially understand the difficulty that isolation can bring for a therapist. For some time, I was the only full-time physical therapist in my school district. This meant that I didn’t have the same opportunities for discussion and idea sharing that other school-based therapists in my area were able to enjoy.
This led me to seek other avenues toward the sense of therapeutic community that I craved. Here are a few ways for the isolated therapist to reach out:
-
Online Academic Communities: The Internet allows us to have a constant stream of communication among professionals whether in real time with use of chatting and instant messaging or in self-paced time with discussion boards and forums.
-
Professional organization: Through regional meetings and online resources, you may be able to discover colleagues in your area.
-
Mentoring relationships: If you are an isolated therapist with little experience, it is crucial for you to find a mentor to guide you in your development. A mentor doesn’t have to be geographically nearby. It could be someone you communicate with via email or phone. If you are an experienced therapist, see if you can offer yourself as a mentor in your area of expertise.
If you are a therapist working in isolation, don’t ignore your need for therapeutic community and conversation!