In Times of Uncertainty; Clinical Practice
H. Colodro and J. Oliver provide sound advice in their new book, A Guide to Self-Care for Practitioners in Times of Uncertainty. This 2020 New Harbinger publication is loaded with helpful 
suggestions on surviving, even thriving, in our time of struggle. Their core questions include: What do my clients need most now? Am I able to provide what is needed and do so effectively? What might I do regarding my own uncertainty and struggles? Here are some of their suggestions.
- Spend some time daily practicing self-compassion.
- Know what you are facing, and if you are in a position (emotionally) to provide what is needed.
- Recognize the effects of chronic stress on yourself and your clients. Make adjustments as needed.
- Work smart! Work with only what you have some control over and not what is beyond your control.
- Be sure to take good care of yourself: sleeping, eating, attending, worrying, being aware, obtaining social-emotional support, meditating/doing yoga, and holding onto a strong sense of consciousness.
- Check in with yourself. Ask: How am I doing right now? Why did I react emotionally to that? etc.
- Release yourself from a “fix-it” mentality. Rather focus on emotion regulation, stability, and safety.
- Be there with your own, personal losses, sadness and fear. Deal with these and seek help when needed.
- If appropriate, include happiness-enhancing activities and skills in your therapy.
- Recognize the reality of impermanence in all things, including current problems and yourself.
- Settle into a more self-caring flexible outlook. If possible, work less. Take breaks! Do not over-extend.
- If you experience psychological exhaustion or failure in behavioral activation, seek support and consider doing more telehealth rather than live, person-to-person therapy. Cut back if necessary.
- Follow all guidelines regarding masks, gloves, social distancing, disinfecting, etc.
- Consider using “good enough” standards in your work in these times. See D.W. Winnicott for details.
- Remain safe, calm, competent, and helpful in your work.
- Consider using the same breathing training techniques you teach to your clients on yourself.
- When you feel stuck or sucked-into the craziness of the times, use CBT-M (CBT with mindfulness) on yourself.
- If you feel overwhelmed, hopeless, etc. seek your own clinical help.
Refer to Colodro, H. and Oliver, J. (2020). A Guide to Self-Care for Practitioners in Times of Uncertainty. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.
Anthony R. Quintiliani, PhD., LADC
From the Eleanor R. Liebman Center for Secular Meditation in Monkton, Vermont and the Home of The Monkton Sangha
Author of Mindful Happiness
Harvard for related reasons. In 1967 he went to India to study under Hindu Sadhu Neem, Karoli Baba, also known as Maharaj-ji. Before his teacher died, Alpert was named Ram Dass (Servant of God). He practiced bhakti yoga – pure love on the spiritual path. In 1974 Ram Dass returned to the United States, where he developed his own style of meditation, a style that radically integrated various forms of spiritual traditions. In 1971 he published his first book, Be Here Now; this book helped open up higher consciousness to others without the use of drug and expounded a life role of service to others. In 2004 Ram Dass relocated to Maui, where he remained for the rest of his life. In 1997 he wrote Still Here. In some ways this book helped to clarify his deeper understanding of himself; the depth was the result of a serious stroke he suffered. His cerebral hemorrhage forced him to go deeper into self-understanding. In 2004 he survived a near-fatal infection. From his stroke on Ram Dass was mainly homebound. His last book (with Mirabai Bush) was 
creating Living Dying Project and Doorway to Light; Seva Foundation (healthcare for underserved areas); and, Social Venture Network (for businesses). Yes, Ram Dass lived his talk – he walked the walk!
Hanh (various publications). The skills noted are for immediate application in crisis and/or post-crisis practice. Due to space limitations, I will not explain details; rather I will list skills with minimum directions. If interested in improving your clinical capacities to deal with crises, you can look up the details on your own. It is a growth process. It is always a good idea to have a clear and practical crisis response plan.
suggest it may be equally effective in all psychological pain. In neuroscience theory yoga nidra may reset your central nervous system, improve coping capacity, and open doorways to spiritual development. In the following yoga nidra meditation I have integrated my own yoga nidra practices with the iRest method presented by 
whatever arises in our path in life as our opportunity to practice. Our job is to reduce the suffering of the world – one person at one time. This practice may be achieved through the Paramitas. The practice of being patient, disciplined, generous, energetic – all in meditation and life behaviors – sets the stage for our inner and outer growth. As we practice greater compassion, we care more deeply about the welfare of others. This can be an antidote to the pandemic of greed in America (and the world) today. So much greed that we may inflict great pain and suffering on others. How much wealth is enough?