CLASP ~ Colleagues Assistance and Support Program Column
“Creating Collaborative Communities of Support across California”
Dani Beckerman, Psy.D.
Collaborative communities emphasize the mutual process of growth and learning for its
members. Each one of us has something unique to offer, a world view, a knowledge
base, a field of study, and experiences. We are all teachers as well as learners (Nichols,
1988; Papero, 1988). Porter and Vasquez (1997) note that collaboration is truly about
entering into an authentic relationship and working together to achieve both individual
and interpersonal goals as well as the goals of those we work with.
Creating collaborative communities of support can be a powerful and connecting process
in which psychologists can come together to collaborate and support each other in
personal, professional, and self-care goals. Each of us have our own strengths, field of
study, and vision that guides and assists us - as well as those we work with - to grow and
prosper. Integrating different voices and perspectives can open up an opportunity to
enhance awareness, develop new knowledge, and create possibilities for health and
wellness.
Suicide claims lives, and as psychologists we are not immune. One year ago my former
boss and internship supervisor committed suicide, one day prior to me closing my
practice within his group. I had not known anyone personally who had died from suicide,
especially a psychologist. He was someone who knew where the resources were and he
had been an active participant in CLASP. He utilized different interventions to assist him
during this difficult time, and still his death was upon us. How can this happen? It
makes me ponder, what masks do clinicians wear? What fears and obstacles do they
have about sharing their own troubles, conflicts and pain with their colleagues? It also
poses the question of how colleagues make the choice to reach out for support, to disclose
or not to disclose, or to take their own life.
As the new CPA CLASP Chair, one of my primary goals is to create collaborative
communities of support across the state as a way to develop authentic connections,
reduce risk of colleagues in distress, and open communication. Collaboration can be a
powerful tool. It has the ability to enhance relationships, decrease isolation, open
resources, address difficult situations from a more holistic stance, and create a positive
and preventative standard of care. Many people, including psychologists, still perceive
psychotherapy or engaging in help-seeking behavior to be a stigma versus an investment
into the emotional, psychological, relational, and spiritual self. Developing collaborative
communities of support, engaging in early intervention programs and psychotherapy can
be seen as gifts that we give ourselves. These venues and relationships are educational
resources for the psycho-social-emotional being. As psychologists, we may know this,
yet barriers still exist: fears of perceived judgment or perceived shame in letting people
know that we too are struggling.
As psychologists and mental health providers, it is important to reflect upon our own
path, direction, and self-care needs. As clinicians, it is essential that we recognize our
own limits and boundaries. We practice prevention by seeking out support, consultation,
connection, and time, both personally and professionally. Working as a psychologist is
intense, meaningful, giving, and at times draining. So much of oneself is given; so many
emotions are held to assist others to work through their difficulties, hurts, pain, and
trauma. We need to learn to carve out time for ourselves as well. Suicide prevention
starts with each one of us recognizing and modeling the benefits of taking care of
ourselves and our community.
The need to de-stigmatize help seeking behavior and mental health issues is essential for
a healthy community and a healthy self. There is evidence that early intervention can
reduce the incidence of stress-related physical problems and well as reduce the severity
of depression and anxiety. Early intervention starts with our selves. (Diane Bridgeman,
CPA Presentation 03/03). Dr. Bridgeman (2003) emphasizes the importance of
“accepting support from others,” “developing a work schedule that schedules yourself in
for eating healthy, working out, yoga, meditation,” “connecting with yourself and with
others,” “engaging in creative outlets,” “embracing your profession and its practice,” and
“taking pride in your personal and professional accomplishments” to assist in refueling
resources and creating a foundation of resiliency. Additionally, the ability to identify
early warning signs of distress (i.e., social withdrawal, frequent irritability, persistent
fatigue, professional boundary problems, substance abuse, compulsive sexuality) (CPA
CLASP web page) is essential for decreasing the incidents of debilitating mental health
issues, economic and physical difficulties, as well as assisting in one’s longevity.
Creating collaborative communities of support is a proactive stance to wellness and selfcare. I believe that colleagues need to reach out anywhere along the continuum from
wellness to crisis by establishing meaningful and genuine connections amongst
colleagues. By establishing these connections before difficult situations arise, support,
resources, and assistance may be easier to access.
Within my local community, I have co-created and facilitated Women in Health Care
events, in which women from all walks of health care come together to assist each other
in meeting personal, professional and self-care goals. Not only has this enhanced the
support amongst women health care providers, it has also created a bridge of
communication across different disciplines. The Collaborative Consultation Group is a
new venue that embraces members of our local association (MBPA) and local
psychiatrists to explore the professional, clinical, ethical, and legal issues we all face.
Working collaboratively allows for more opportunity than working competitively. In
collaboration, we create win – win situations. Our goals and needs may differ, yet
through connection each may grow and learn from one another. In competition, having a
winner and a loser can lead to separation and division.
We live in a busy world, and as psychologists, clinicians, advocates, researchers, and
academics we give a lot of ourselves. Our resources drain as our time is divided between
clients, students, profession, families, friends, and religious organizations. In many
cases, people cut back on taking care of themselves and thus, their resources are depleted
without the opportunity to refuel. Refueling is a both a mental health as well as holistic
health issue. Embracing the need for self care - be it exercising, eating well, getting
regular physical, spiritual, and mental health check ups - is essential. By developing
collaborative communities of support across California, we can continue to spin a web of
safety, openness, respect and support.
Within CPA, there are many existing opportunities to connect and develop collaborative
and meaningful relationships. Members can join Divisions; attend upcoming Brown Bag
Lunches focusing on Supervision; meet colleagues at a central location to discuss
business and research ideas, expansion of practices, and/or ethical dilemmas. Many
chapters of CPA offer trainings on self- care, resiliency, and mindful meditation. The
CPA web site offers information about what your own, neighboring and distant chapters
offer. By entering into different communities, we have opportunities to connect with
like-minded people and take in new perspectives and paradigms.
CLASP maintains a toll-free confidential support line for colleagues in distress at 888262-8293. Additionally, the CLASP website (http://www.cpaclasp.org/) provides a
variety of articles and resources.
Dani Beckerman, Psy.D., Chairs the CLASP Executive Committee and is a CPA BOD
Representative, and the Immediate Past President of the Monterey Bay Psychological
Association. She has a private practice in Santa Cruz and is an Associate Professor at JFK.
If you have feedback, or would like to join the committee and be part of continuing to create
collaborative communities of support, please contact Dr. Dani Beckerman at 1406 mission Street,
Santa Cruz, CA 95060, (831) 426- 4735, dani_beckerman@yahoo.com.
References for this article are available upon request.