The Evolving Nature of Self-Care in Psychology

This week at our regular Succoris Psychology Journal Club, our team came together to discuss an article exploring the self-care practices of psychologists in the UK. What followed was a rich and thought-provoking conversation about what self-care really means for us as practitioners, how we monitor it, and how we know when we’ve drifted from it.

Self-care is now embedded within our professional competencies, and our code of conduct makes it clear that psychologists have a responsibility to maintain safe and effective practice. But this raised an important question for our group: what does that actually look like in day-to-day life?

We spoke about how, beyond the formal expectations, self-care is deeply personal. It’s about engaging in practices that sustain our ability to show up fully for our clients; physically, emotionally, and mentally. It’s not just about preventing burnout; it’s about preserving the presence, compassion, and awareness that sit at the heart of our therapeutic work.

The Role of Self-Awareness and Personal Therapy

One of the central themes that emerged in our discussion was the importance of self-awareness in maintaining self-care. Without awareness, how do we truly know how we’re feeling, or what we need?

Many of us reflected that engaging in our own personal therapy is a crucial part of this process and that it created a space where we can explore, process, and prevent our own material or from intruding into our work with clients.

It’s interesting to note that, unlike in some other countries, therapists in Australia are not required to engage in personal therapy as part of registration or ongoing professional development. Yet, for many of us, this practice feels integral to both self-care and ethical, effective practice.

Self-Care Looks Different for Everyone

Another point that resonated throughout our conversation was the diversity of what self-care looks like. For some, it’s exercise or being connected to nature. For others, it’s about maintaining boundaries, cultivating connection, or finding time for quiet reflection.

We acknowledged the paradox that sometimes what gives us fulfilment, such as working therapeutically or developing new business projects, may not fit the traditional narrative of “restful” self-care. Yet, if those activities bring creativity, meaning, and purpose, they can be deeply nourishing.

At the same time, it’s important to remain observant: if our “productive self-care” starts tipping into overextension or stress, we need to pause and recalibrate.

Practical Self-Care: Caring for Your Future Self

One of my favourite reflections from the discussion was that self-care can be practical. Sometimes, doing that one task you’ve been avoiding like replying to an email, organising your notes, or planning ahead, can ease the mental load for your future self. It’s an act of kindness to yourself.

The key, as always, lies in balance. Self-care isn’t just about what we do; it’s about being aware of how those choices impact our energy, stress levels, and emotional state.

Creating Space for Reflection

I’m so grateful to work alongside a team who can engage in these conversations with openness, honesty, and non-judgement. These discussions remind us that self-care isn’t a checklist but an ongoing, evolving practice that asks for self-awareness, compassion, and curiosity.

For anyone who feels unsure about what self-care looks like for them, or who wants to bring more structure to their reflections, I’ve created a Self-Care Template to help scaffold this process.

It’s designed to help you reflect, plan, and track your self-care practices throughout the year — supporting both your personal wellbeing and your professional growth as we move into 2026.

Download the Self-Care Template here Take some time to reflect on what nourishes you — and what practices allow you to keep showing up as your best self, both in life and in your work.