“ I have accepted fear as part of life – specifically the fear of change…I  have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back…" - Erica Jong

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Psychotherapy and counselling for social and environmental change-makers

Sometimes we work to support the well-being of a social or environmental change-maker, at other times we help them to be more effective in creating change. Often, the work actually involves supporting both the change and the change-maker. 

Frequently, the most important place to start is supporting the change-maker. Activist groups, NGOs, and change-makers in general are often so focused on giving to others through their work, that self care and personal sustainability gets missed. This can lead to individuals burning out, or difficulties within a team. Particular types of change have their own particular psychological impacts. For instance, those involved in working on climate change often unconsciously bear the brunt of the sense of fear and responsibility that those in denial of climate change are not yet ready to face. Being involved in social or environmental change should most of the time feel good, rather than feeling like an ordeal or responsibility. If that's not the case, then therapy can help.

Supporting the effectiveness of the change-maker can take many forms. You probably know the details of your particular cause or project much better than we do, but you may still benefit from the impartial perspective of a therapist who knows change work. Often, the combination of your knowledge of your change work, and the psychological training of a therapist, can together create new and innovative ways to communicate your message, engage and motivate supporters, and to keep moving forward through challenging times.

Are you a social or environmental change-maker?

Perhaps there is a particular need or cause that you're involved with, or feel drawn to help with. Whether paid or not, you want your work to benefit more than yourself, but to have a wider positive impact, creating a better society and/or more healthy ecosystem. If so, then you may identify as a social or environmental change-maker. You might be driven by your passion, or idealism, of just by seeing how some form of suffering can be alleviated, and wanting to make that happen. If you're a change-maker, it is likely that this work is a source of inspiration and happiness to you, as well as a challenge or even a burden. Though psychotherapy and counselling have often been very individually focused, at Lucid we know that they can have an important role in supporting wider social and environmental change.

*Michael Apathy has a discretionary portion of his caseload available to offer reduced fees to social or environmental change-makers. Please email Michael if you'd like to discuss how he can help you or your team.