There are times when I revel in working on my own in my online private practice.\u00a0 I like being able to choose the work I do, set my own schedule, and work at my own pace [to name a few of the advantages].\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then there are the times when it feels lonely.\u00a0 It\u2019s just me and my computer and occasionally my cat for company. Sometimes I would like to debrief a session, find out about resources, ask for suggestions on ways to proceed with a client, or simply connect in person. Taking a moment to talk with a colleague can be a way to clear my head and refocus my attention and energy.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t get me wrong.\u00a0 I have colleagues in the online counselling world\u2013 amazing, experienced, gifted, supportive colleagues \u2013 with whom I feel deeply connected.\u00a0 Sometimes I just wish I could walk down the hall to talk with them or have coffee\/lunch together while sharing information, resources, and maybe even the story of our lives [which, considering they are scattered across Canada, would be a long road trip!].<\/p>\n
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Here are some of the things I do to counterbalance the solitary nature of my work.\u00a0<\/p>\n
First, I stay as connected as possible to my online counselling colleagues via email.\u00a0 We have e-staff meetings and coffee breaks, engage in discussions about relevant issues and share resources.<\/p>\n
I am a member of the Online Counselling LinkedIn group [amongst others].\u00a0 I follow the discussions with interest and have the sense of being part of a much larger community.<\/p>\n
And when I find myself talking to my cat just to hear a human voice\u2013 I make sure I get out of my office and spend time in person with colleagues in my geographic community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s all about knowing when I need to connect in person.\u00a0 And that is part of my recipe for contentedness (see Victoria Lorent-Faibish\u2019s post of Sept. 27\/11).\u00a0<\/p>\n
The opinions expressed in this blogpost are personal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dawn Schell, MA, CCC is an affiliate of Worldwide Therapy Online Inc.<\/p>\n