In this episode of The Unmasked Therapist Podcast, Clinical Supervisors Kim Rippy, LPC and Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT explore what happens when therapists become dysregulated and how personal stress, anxiety, and emotions can show up in the therapy space. Kim and Kaitlyn discuss the ways dysregulation can affect therapists at different stages of their careers, including the tendency to take clients home mentally, ruminate about sessions, and struggle to recognize when they are no longer showing up as their most regulated selves. They reflect on how difficult it can be to recognize dysregulation while you are in it and the importance of hindsight, self-awareness, and noticing your own patterns. They also discuss the importance of having people you can turn to when you are struggling, whether that is a supervisor, coworker, peer, or friend. Kim and Kaitlyn explore the vulnerability and fear that can come with admitting you need support, particularly when you worry about how a supervisor or boss might perceive you. They emphasize the value of co-regulation, appropriate professional boundaries, and recognizing when asking for support is necessary to ensure therapists can continue showing up effectively for their clients. The conversation also focuses on the importance of community for therapists. From consultation groups and coworkers to professional trainings and networking events, Kim and Kaitlyn discuss how building genuine connections with other therapists can provide validation, understanding, and a sense of belonging in what can otherwise be an isolating profession. Ultimately, they encourage therapists to pay attention to how dysregulation shows up for them, recognize when personal experiences may be affecting their work, allow themselves to be vulnerable with trusted people, and build a community they can rely on throughout their careers. In this episode, we discuss: • What dysregulation can look like for therapists • How personal stress can show up in the therapy space • Recognizing dysregulation in yourself and your clients • The tendency to take clients home mentally • How rumination and anxiety can affect therapists outside of work • Why dysregulation can be difficult to recognize while you're experiencing it • The importance of self-awareness and recognizing personal patterns • Co-regulation and the role of supportive relationships • Knowing when to reach out for help and support • The vulnerability and fear that can come with asking for help • Navigating boundaries between therapy, supervision, and peer support • Why therapists cannot do this work alone • The importance of community and connection for therapists • Building supportive relationships with coworkers and peers • Finding community through professional trainings, consultation groups, and networking • Managing the isolation that can come with working in the mental health field • Recognizing when personal experiences are affecting your work • Learning what dysregulation looks like for you • Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and letting others see you Connect with us: Supervision: www.keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/ Instagram: @TheUnmaskedTherapist Email: Supervision@KeystoneTherapyGroup.com If this episode resonated with you, leave a five-star review and subscribe for more conversations about authentic, grounded, human-centered therapy. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical supervision. All information shared represents our own opinions and should not be taken as legal or clinical direction. #TheUnmaskedTherapist #UnmaskedTherapist #TherapistPodcast #MentalHealthPodcast #ClinicalSupervision #TherapistGrowth #TherapistSelfCare #TherapistBurnout #TherapistCommunity #TherapistSupport #CoRegulation #TherapistWellness #MentalHealthProfessionals #ClinicalPsychology #PrivatePractice
