Posted February 14, 2025

As a clinician and a member of my community, I find myself constantly navigating the delicate balance between personal care, client care, and community care. Each of these realms is interconnected, yet at times, they pull me in different directions, especially in a world that feels like it's in a state of constant flux. The stress of encountering daily news that directly impacts my clients' lived experiences can leave me feeling angry and uncertain. These events cause many of my clients to feel unsafe, fearful, and anxious about their place in the world, and it becomes difficult to find direction in an environment so fraught with conflict and change. Many are existing in frequent states of fight, flight, or freeze, and as any caring professionals know, this wreaks havoc on stress and nervous systems and make the support we provide as important as ever. And as difficult as ever.

In my efforts to uphold principles of social justice, equality, safety, and well-being for both myself and my clients, I often wonder: How do I maintain my own health and sense of purpose while also supporting others in their most vulnerable moments? How do I care for the collective while also honoring my own personal needs? These questions form the heart of the dialectical tensions I face every day.

The Dialectic of Personal Care: Caring for Myself vs. Neglecting Myself

One of the first tensions I encounter is the dialectic of personal care: how to take care of myself without falling into self-neglect or excessive selfishness. There are times when I need to prioritize my own well-being to avoid burnout, especially in the face of the emotional weight that comes with being a clinician. But at other times, I find myself needing to push through and sacrifice personal care to focus on the immediate needs of my clients, or even larger social causes.

Personal care, in this sense, exists on a spectrum. Sometimes it feels like I have no choice but to push my own needs aside to give everything I have to others. And yet, I know that without regular self-care, I am less able to help those I serve. The key, I’m learning, is balancing the need to prioritize myself without losing sight of the collective needs around me; this also means giving myself flexibility for the times where I am more heavily weighted on one side or the other, as there certainly are times of necessity for each.

The Dialectic of Client Care: Focusing on Client Needs vs. Releasing Client Burdens

Similarly, client care exists on a spectrum. As a clinician, there are times (especially in sessions!) when I must become fully absorbed in my client's problems, prioritizing their needs with intense focus. These moments can be challenging, emotionally draining, and, at times, overwhelming, as my desire to help starts being flooded by my own sense of, “If things could just be different so society wasn’t imposing this stress.” However, there are other moments when I must also allow for a release, both for myself and my clients. I must accept that I cannot fix everything, and that it’s okay for both of us to step back, breathe, and let go of the weight of the struggles, at least for a moment, taking one moment at a time.

True dialectical client care, I’ve come to realize, is about discerning when to be fully present with my clients and when to maintain emotional boundaries, allowing for a dance of healing and release. It is the delicate art of balancing engagement and detachment, honoring the wisdom of my own experience, and trusting that my clients, too, have the capacity to heal and grow in their own time.

The Dialectic of Community Care: Supporting the Collective vs. Focusing on Individual Gain

Finally, community care brings its own dialectic: the balance between focusing on the greater good of the community and focusing on personal gain. I often feel torn between dedicating myself to the collective, whether it’s through activism or social justice work, and prioritizing my own well-being, especially when the world around us seems so full of pain, injustice, and uncertainty.

As a clinician, I see firsthand the impact of these global issues on my clients; issues that often manifest as fear, trauma, and disillusionment. As a member of my community, I feel deeply connected to the efforts for justice and equality, but I also know the importance of preserving my own health and well-being to continue being a source of support. The challenge, again, lies in balance.

True dialectical community care exists when we honor our personal wisdom, strengths, and health, using that foundation to act on principles that support both our well-being and the well-being of those around us. It means being present in our communities, showing up for the greater good, while also recognizing the importance of showing up for the individual healing of our clients and ourselves. When I can’t do it all, I find myself reminding myself that I and the clients I serve are important parts of the community, and the difference that can be made with and for both also has far-reaching effects in the community.

Struggling to Find Direction Amid Chaos

The daily news, with its endless cycle of crisis, division, and uncertainty, often contributes to a sense of powerlessness. I sometimes feel as though the system is entrenched in constant drama and change, leaving me unsure of where to focus my energy. As I seek principles of social justice and equality for my clients, I wonder if I’m doing enough, if I’m moving in the right direction, or if my efforts are even making a difference in such a chaotic environment.

What I’m learning, though, is that these struggles, these tensions, are not a sign of failure but an inherent part of the work we do as clinicians and members of our communities. Finding balance between personal care, client care, and community care is a process that requires ongoing discernment, flexibility, and a commitment to staying grounded in the principles that matter most to us. Even when the world feels out of control, we can still find ways to act with intention and compassion, both for ourselves and for those we serve.

As I continue to navigate these dialectics, I remind myself that there is no perfect formula. The key is to stay present, to honor the complexity of our roles, and to trust that, in balancing care for ourselves, our clients, and our communities, we can continue to move forward, even in times of uncertainty.