Energetic Self-Care for Counsellors & Therapists

Creating a sustainable practice means honoring our energetic boundaries as much as our professional ones.

If you have chosen to work in counselling or a related field, I'm going to assume that you are very much invested in the people who seek your help. That investment means making the choice to show up and give the best of yourself emotionally, mentally and energetically in every session. To do so, it's important to be mindful of the 'unseen' exchange between ourselves and others - we are energetic beings, after all. Without intentional energetic self-care, it’s easy to feel drained, overwhelmed, or even carry residual energy that doesn't belong to us long after the session ends.

Creating a sustainable practice means honoring our energetic boundaries as much as our professional ones.

I like to think of this as 'energetic hygiene'. Unfortunately, it's not often taught or talked about in supervision or peer circles, yet, understanding our energetic environment is essential if we are to truly practice good self care. If you are looking for a simple framework that honours and preserves your energy, you may like to consider the following.

Before the Session: Get Grounded

Set an energetic intention: Before clients arrive, take a few moments to consciously set your energetic boundaries. Visualise a protective bubble around you. You might like to think of this as an energetic “cloak” that lets in what is most useful (your client’s authentic story, connection) and filters out anything that may weigh you down and prevent you from doing your best work with the person you are helping.

Ground yourself: Connect with your physical body and the earth beneath you. Try a brief grounding exercise, like pressing your feet into the floor and imagining roots growing down into the earth, anchoring you firmly and safely.

Remember - you are enough: I am yet to meet a therapist who hasn't left a session feeling like they could have done more. It's true that we are not magicians, yet we can feel an unrealistic pressure to fix or take away a person's pain often. As I learned more about managing my energy, I realised that I needed a way to show myself compassion and stay grounded amidst the emotional waves of client work.

For me, this meant creating a ritual — an intentional essential oil spray I made myself, with the words “I am enough” written on the bottle. Before or after each session, I give myself a quick spritz and breathe in the scent, reminding myself that I am enough just as I am. Believe it or not - it helps! It really doesn't matter what you use, it's all about intention.

During the Session: Manage Your Energy

Stay mindful of energetic boundaries: As you listen and engage, remind yourself to be an observer and container rather than a sponge. Notice when you start feeling overwhelmed or heavy — you may be taking on energy that doesn't belong to you, affecting how well you can help the other person.

Use breathwork to maintain balance: Deep, slow breathing helps regulate your nervous system and keeps your energy flowing freely without burning out.

Anchor yourself physically: If possible, keep one or both feet planted on the ground. Small tactile objects like a smooth stone, or a grounding bracelet can help you stay present and connected.

Take brief pauses when appropriate: If it feels right, short pauses can help both you and the person you are working with to reset your energy during the session, especially after intense moments.

After the Session: Discharge and Recharge

Visualise releasing residual energy: Imagine any leftover emotional or energetic charge flowing out of your body and dissolving into the earth or sky.

Spritz it up!: Get out your intentional spray again (if this practice resonates) and allow the aroma to reconnect you with self-compassion, grounding you back into your own energy.

Rest & Breathe: Personally, I like to lay on the floor for 5 - 10 minutes if time allows, practicing slow vagal breathing. I tune into the energy moving and dispersing through my body, allowing my body to “take the wheel” — moving intuitively and releasing anything that doesn't need to be there. This practice really helps to discharge energy gently and restore balance.

Do a quick energy cleanse: Try gentle shaking your hands, arms, or whole body to physically and energetically “shake off” the session.

Develop your own grounding ritual: Drink a glass of water, eat a nourishing snack, or spend a minute outside connecting with nature to help reset your system. You could also light a candle, burn incense or sage - whatever you feel is needed to let go and recalibrate. The most important thing is to follow your nose and do what feels most resonant. This is going to be different for everyone.

Journal or reflect: Write down any energetic impressions or feelings you want to release or transform before your next client.

Create a Grounding & Balanced Therapy Space

Your environment is a key ally in maintaining your energetic wellbeing. Consider incorporating:

• Crystals like black tourmaline (protection), amethyst (calming), or smoky quartz (grounding).

• Plants for life energy and cleansing, such as snake plants or peace lilies.

• Essential oil diffusers with grounding scents like Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Frankincense or Patchouli.

• Salt lamps or bowls of Himalayan salt to purify and stabilise the energy.

• Candles or soft lighting to create warmth and safety. There are some great (and realistic) battery operated candles if you want to avoid accidentally burning the place down!

• Comfortable seating and tactile objects like stress balls or smooth stones to help both you and your client feel centered.

Energetic self-care is just as crucial as clinical skill in creating a sustainable practice. By protecting your energy beforehand, managing it consciously during sessions, and discharging it afterward, you preserve your vitality and deepen your capacity to hold space.

How might you cultivate a space and practice that allows for greater energetic self-care?

If you are in need of Supervision that honours the importance of all aspects of counselling practice click here.