There are things that are incredibly stressful about being and SLP and they are often not fair. SLPs get into that work to help people and do good in the world, spread love and light, but instead are often worn down and feel dispassionate, overwhelmed and downright cynical after a few years in the field. It is not a setting thing, as it happens in each setting, and it is not an SLP-person specific thing, as it happens to SO many people.
These things are stressful, and it takes a LOT to change them. These are things like caseload and workload sizes (because those two things are not the same), paperwork, productivity standards, and, at times, the underpayment and cost of being an SLP. And, in 2020, jumping into new ways of being an SLP in the midst of a highly stressful global pandemic.
The thing is, these stressors may go away at some point, but the stress never will. It will always be there and, as an SLP, you need ways to better manage it. BUT you also need ways to advocate and people who will help you do this. That way, things DO change and shifts start to happen, and we can all get back to changing lives for the better, doing more good, and creating more love and light in this world, while helping others thrive in their lives.
That is where people like the wonderful Phuong Lien Palafox come in. I have the joy of talking to Phuong during the Fall of 2020 for an episode of the SLP Stress Management Podcast.
Here is a little more about Phuong:
Phuong Lien Palafox, MS, CCC-SLP, is a bilingual speech-language pathologist, author and advocate. Currently, her time is meaningfully spent serving clients and their families, SLPs and educators across the United States. Her work has been featured in the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and publications for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She specializes in advocacy (for students, clients, families and speech-language pathologists), supporting students/clients through a social-justice foundation, the comprehensive needs of under-resourced communities and narrative-based interventions. She is the author of The Heartbeat of Speech-Language Pathology. You can find more information at www.phuonglienpalafox.com.
In this episode, we talked about:
- Phuong’s journey as an SLP and SLP Advocate
- The importance of connecting to your “Why” as an SLP
- Building boundaries when you are always wanting to help
- The power behind saying “No” and asking for help
- Connecting to your families/clients needs and wants
- Importance of research AND connecting to people
- Naming what you are feeling and going through
- Daily coping strategies to help reduce burnout and stress
You can tune in on your favorite podcast apps or listen below (or catch up on all other episodes of the podcast here) to “Connecting to Your Why as an SLP”:
How are you connecting to your “why” as an SLP?
If you are ready to dive into deeper stress management, and start thriving within your work and life, Personalized SLP Stress Management Coaching is now available and booking for 2021. Check out more details and sign up for a free 30 minute consultation/q&a session here: 1:1 Coaching or fill out the contact form below.
There are only 10 spots available at a time, so sign up before the waitlist opens 🙂
Much Love,
Jessi
Paragraph
