Sometimes, everything isn’t fine and it’s hard to admit.

No matter what is happening, it is ALWAYS ok to ask for help.

Something began happening approximately two months ago...

It’s happened before…It’s called Burnout.

The World Health Organization identifies three dimensions that characterize burnout:

“Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion'
Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and
Reduced professional efficacy.”

I was taking better care of myself. I was eating better, exercising and had given up so many bad habits. I was doing great outside of work. This was rare for me. My happy place was at work and my job. While I was growing outside of work I was withering at work.

I lost critical aspects of my job. I was told to “Wait” on more than one aspect of my position that I absolutely adored. The work I did was insulted. I was treated as less than important by individuals who were supposed to be my peers. I lost satisfaction in my position. It wasn’t supposed to happen.

While I truly believe that all individuals have a right to effective and life-changing services, in the area of autism services, I think that this must start with the clinicians. Pour your heart, soul, and resources into your field clinicians and they will multiply that care, attention and service delivery to their clients and supervisees.

When the care isn’t paid to the clinician, the client’s aren’t as well off.

Almost 2 weeks ago, everything I knew about myself as a practitioner was challenged by someone who didn’t know me and wasn’t present enough to get to know me.

For a week, I let other people’s opinions influence me. Finally, I heard of yet another clinician struggling to do the right thing and being wronged. I couldn’t do it anymore. I likely lost friends and people I genuinely didn’t want to hurt.

For over a week, I clung to hope that something would work out. I was terrified. Finally, I made a leap of faith that has me here…being painfully honest that there is no clear direction in what’s next. Things are moving but it is slow and steady and requires a lot of reminders to breathe and continue to take care of myself.

You see, I stand with the behavior analyst.

Always.

Compassionate, empathetic, and honest support will always be the best way to build our fellow service providers into the very best versions of themselves. This will ALWAYS work out in the client’s favor.

ALWAYS.

Onward and upward dear friends! Where in the world will The Busy BCBA go from here ?!