36th Edition

As you're reading this, I'm wrapping up my very last day of my week-long vacation.

Where did we go? Not really anywhere but I did NOT work.

Like you (I'm betting), my default is working and being there for everyone. I don't even notice my burn out until it looks something like this from the amazing group practice coach Maureen Werrbach...

You don't have to be a business owner to feel experience this burn out. Therapists everywhere are called on to be the answer to all things. And it just doesn't stop at work.

We have to juggle not just client crises and paperwork at our job but often work a 'second shift' when we get home running the household, taking care of children, making dinner and worrying about money. No wonder we're all exhausted.

And all of that was there BEFORE 2020, so our reserve tank is even lower NOW.

Also, don't think this is just you.

Neuroscientists Bruce Perry warned all of us enrolled in his NMT program to expect that we will likely not be working as fast or have as much to offer throughout the training program as we would before the pandemic.

So yes, it's not just you, it really is that hard.

Again, just like in the last Ally (and hopefully always), I'm doing the thing I'm talking about to ya'll. I took a week OFF to do NOTHING and will hopefully return in full restorative mode ready to serve all of you as we spring into our next FREE training happening this month.

More details below, don't worry I won't leave you hangin':)

But to help you remember that you ARE a priority and provide you with even more resources, I created a few to help you on your sandtray and self-care journey.

Don't worry, I've downloaded all for myself as well!

To help you remember that you are AMAZING and are worthy of rest, I made this lock screen for your phone.

Again, I put it on my phone too to remind me that BREATHING is a good thing.

Click on the picture to get the full file to load on your phone. BTW, we'd love to see screenshots of this on YOUR phone too!

Whaaa...ANOTHER helpful download for YOU???

I know, you're welcome 🙂

I made this to aid both you and your clients explore rest, recharge, and self-care in the sandtray.

Feel free to download this to your phone or computer to make it easy to pull up when you feel yourself overwhelmed or needing to help a client identify what self-care looks like for them.

Again, simply click on the image to download the PDF.

And we can't leave out miniatures can we??

Here's some of my favorite miniatures from Miniature Madness that symbolize rest, self-care, and emotional health.

Hint: You can use this as miniatures OR just have them at your desk to remind you that breathing, rest, and recharge is VITAL.

All are linked so if you want to purchase, just click the picture to add to cart.

One of my favorite rest and recharge tools to do in under 10 minutes (think in between sessions)

If you've been a therapist for a even a minute, you likely know that mindfulness is an excellent self-care technique.

But, easier said than done right?

Through the CALM APP, I've found one of my most favorite body scans EVER, as well as so many other amazing restorative resources, such as sleep stories (by the likes of Harry Styles and Matthew McConaughey - yes please!).

Once you've logged into the calm app, hop on over to the the body scan exercises by Tamara Levitt.

So so good - even when I do this for 5 minutes, my blood pressure drops, the tension in my head eases, and I feel even a slight bit refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the day.

QUIZ TIME!!

What is the #1 cause of stress for Americans???

See if you can guess the correct answer.

Is it...

A. Work

B. Family

C. Money

D. Being a therapist 🙂

Answer below!

And the resources just keep comin' ya'll!

By popular request (winning by a landslide in our recent poll in the FREE Facebook group), we're bringing you a BRAND-NEW live training happening July 25th at 6:00 Central (Chicago time).

This FREE training will be happening in the FREE Facebook group, The Sandtray Movement BUT you need to register with the link below to get all of the goodies that go along with the workshop, such as

The follow-along-with-me workbook to help you write down and remember all that you'll be learning
Free miniature giveaways
Contests and prizes
And many more surprise and fun along the way!!

Click the link to register NOW!!

https://southernsandtray.com/processing-like-a-pro/

This FREE training is going to be AMAZING - we usually have around 8,000 registered and 3,000 attend LIVE so you won't want to miss out and experience crippling FOMO!

Alright, that's it!

I'll be back doing all things sandtray tomorrow but for today I'm enjoying rounding out my vacation with lots of sleep, binge-watching TV, and staying in the cool.

Remember, you've got this.

Rest, recharge, and change the world one sandtray at a time.

Talk soon,

Amy

ANSWER TO THE QUIZ....

C. MONEY! According to a 2015 study by the APA, 72% of Americans report being stressed about money at least some of the time.