You Can't Fix Them--Because They're Not Broken: A Sustainability Guide for Tired Helpers and Healers

by Jo Eckler

Overview

Both new and seasoned helping professionals need an afternoon in a cozy corner with a cup of tea and this warm, accessible book full of practical tools for building a more sustainable career and better holding space for clients.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781734665949
Publisher:	Spiral Staircase Publishing
Publication date:	03/12/2021
Pages:	186
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Dr. Jo Eckler is a licensed clinical psychologist and registered yoga teacher trained in energy work, sound healing, and as a death & mourning doula. For the last 20 years, they've worked as a helper and healer and supervised trainees, so they know firsthand the challenges and joys of this work. The author of I Can't Fix You-Because You're Not Broken: The Eight Keys to Freeing Yourself From Painful Thoughts and Feelings, they've also appeared in numerous media outlets, including O Magazine, Health, Bustle, and Huffington Post. Their mission is to help others find more self-compassion, meaning, and conscious choice in their lives.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Why You're Here

1. What I've Learned the Hard Way

1.1 Content Warning

1.2 How I Learned This Stuff

1.3 Using This Book

1.4 Why I Wrote This

2. Burnout and Compassion Fatigue

2.1 What They Are and How to Recognize Them

2.2 Risk Factors and Causes

2.3 Abusive Workplaces

2.4 How to Recover

2.5 Scary Scarcity

3. You Can't Fix Them (and why that's a good thing)

3.1 Factors Involved in Change

3.2 Stages of Change

3.3 Of -isms and Other Issues

3.4 Facing Change as a Provider

3.5 Unsolvable Problems & the Human Condition

4. They're Not Broken (and neither are you)

4.1 Humans and Toasters

4.2 The Importance of Mercy in Growth

4.3 Talk to Yourself

5. Noticing

Mindfulness for Healers and Helpers

6. Doing the Unstuck

Why Squishing Doesn't Work

Cognitive Defusion

Example: Defusing Impostor Syndrome

7. Becoming Spacious

7.1 Zoom: Self-as-Context

7.2 Co-regulation

8. It's Not Yours to Hold

8.1 What Goes in Must Come Out

8.2 Let it Flow

8.3 Tips for Self-Soothing

8.4 Managing Triggers at Work

9. You're Indestructible

9.1 The Purpose of Emotions

9.2 Other People's Critters

10. Are You Willing?

10.1 Humility

11. They Don't Want Your Advice (and they don't need it)

11.1 The Importance of Validation

11.2 When People Get Worse

11.3 When People Get Better

11.4 It's Going to Be a Little Bumpy

12. How to Actually Use This Stuff

12.1 Ways to Implement This Stuff

12.2 Helping People You Don't Like

12.3 How to Deal when You're in the Same Boat

12.4 Tragedy in a Fishbowl

12.5 You Have the Power

12.6 Case Examples

13. Planning for the Long Haul

13.1 Sustainability

13.2 Self-Care

13.3 Self-Compassion

13.4 Connection

13.5 Boundaries

13.6 Accountability

13.7 Remember Your Why

13.8 If You Work in an Agency

13.9 What to Consider When Taking on New Clients and Roles

14. A Love Note to My Fellow Helpers and Healers

Keys to Being a Sustainable Helper

15. Resources

15.1 Resources for Additional Support

15.2 Websites and Videos

15.3 Other Books You Might Like

15.4 Podcasts and Online Courses

15.5 References

Acknowledgements

Sample chapters from I Can't Fix You Because You're Not Broken: The Eight Keys to Freeing Yourself From Painful Thoughts and Feelings