| Stress affects everyone and can lead to harmful physical, psychological, and social side effects. Professionals in the field of mental health are especially vulnerable to stress, and students are especially vulnerable to stress-related illness, yet students are also less likely to take care of themselves as a way to cope (Avey, Luthans, & Jensen, 2009; Calicchia & Graham, 2006; Carlson & Thomas, 2007; Rabin, Feldman, & Kaplan, 1999; Whitmer, Rich, Barcikowski, & Mague, 1983). The research on stress and clinical psychology graduate students is lacking, which is alarming, especially considering the unique stressors these students face.;If ignored, stress can worsen and lead to further negative consequences, including burnout, which is a result of prolonged occupational stress (Matheny, Gfroerer, & Harris, 2000). In addition to burnout, there are specific occupational hazards related to clinical work that result from distress surrounding direct work with clients, including compassion fatigue, vicarious traumatization, and secondary traumatic stress (Bride, 2007; Pearlman & Mac Ian, 1995; Radey & Figley, 2007; Rothschild, 2006; Sexton, 1999; Sprang, Clark, & Whitt-Woosley 2007). All of these consequences can result in negative symptoms in the clinician as well as professional impairment.;Clearly, it is crucial that graduate students in the field of clinical psychology learn how to take care of themselves, engage in self-care practices, and promote overall well-being on a regular basis in order to prevent these negative consequences from happening. The goal of this dissertation is to provide a workbook of self-care activities to clinical psychology graduate students. Its aim will be: (a) as an educational tool to learn about various self-care activities; (b) to show which techniques have been proven beneficial; and (c) as a guide for discovery of what works best for graduate students in helping to establish a healthy self-care routine. Developing self-care practices early on in training will hopefully lead to the continuation of this habit as students enter the professional world, thus preventing negative consequences such as burnout and professional impairment and encouraging healthy ways of managing stress. |
