PPA's Day of Self-Reflection - 6 CE Credits

Instructor: Jeff Sternlieb, PhD

Jennifer Doran, APAGS former chair wrote “Self-care has been defined as providing adequate attention to one's own physical and psychological wellness (Beauchamp & Childress, 2001). Beyond being an aspirational goal, engaging in self-care has been described as an "ethical imperative" (Norcross & Barnett, 2008) and is part of the APA's Ethics Code (2002).” Socrates is often quoted a saying “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Parker Palmer’s corollary is “If you chose to live the unexamined life, do not take a job that involves other people.”

The sum of all of this direction is that we manage (personally and professionally) ourselves best when we value self knowledge and self awareness as much as we value other knowledge and awareness.  The goal of this program is to provide an emotionally safe and structured opportunity to pay attention to the impact that our work has on us, and to provide support and direction to continue these best practices.

In the morning, we will be focused on the aspects of our work / life that drain us; In the afternoon, we will be focused on ways we can make sure we have the resources to weather the storms - to not just survive, but to thrive.

Course Outline

1. Introduction - guidelines, self care, reflective practice (10 minutes)
2. Check In - What does self-care look like for you? (20 minutes)
3. Day in the Life of a Psychologist – “mega-clinic” (120 minutes - break at 60 minutes)
4. Writing Exercise - reflection (writing prompts/self compassion break) (30 minutes)
5. Lunch (noon - 1:00) Included
   
6. Resources: Journaling, Support Group, APPs (Insight Timer), Web, Blog (15 minutes)
7. Balint cases – 1 or 2 (120 minutes - break in the middle)
8. The Thread You Follow - Poem, Writing and Reflection (30 minutes)
9. Meditation on self-compassion (10 minutes)
10. Evaluation

PPA's Day of Self-Reflection is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. PPA is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PPA maintains responsibility for the program and its content.