[I’ve been supervising some of the interns doing clinical placements at Bliss Counselling as part of their Master’s degree in psychotherapy for several years now, but it’s only just recently occurred to me that I could get them to do blog posts for me as well 😉 As a student, Riley offers sessions at a reduced rate; her schedule is available through the Bliss Counselling website. — KG]

Hi there, I’m Riley! I have been with the Bliss team since May, and have a background
both in Education and Mental Health. I know first-hand that a career in the Education
field can cause detrimental effects on your mental health, and subsequently can affect
your relationship with your closest friends and family. Teachers invest themselves
emotionally (and financially) every day and this can take a serious physical and mental
toll. The intense pressures that educators currently face can seem insurmountable and I
want to support you with these stressors.

In many ways, I see strong connections between teaching and being a therapist. Both
require empathy, active listening, patience, compassion, and inclusivity—qualities that I
believe many in the educational field possess naturally and are crucial to create a safe
and non-judgmental space. I know that you are a compassionate, caring, patient,
inclusive caregiver in your capacity and I can understand how this can weigh on your
energy levels in the classroom, or at home.

For clients from the education field, I believe I can help address the pressures and
mental health needs tied to this line of work. Working closely with children, parents,
caregivers, and teachers throughout my undergraduate degree has made me aware of
the unique day-to-day stressors these roles bring. I know that you spend time and
energy with lesson plans, lose sleep over classroom dynamics and spend your lunch
and prep times with administrative tasks like communicating with parents/guardians or
social agencies. I also understand that your role is not exclusive to teaching the
curriculum. In fact, there are times when the curriculum may even take a backseat
(shhh). My experience in this setting has also opened my eyes to the unmet needs of all
who work in education and the frustration and internalization that follow. Lesson
planning, managing classroom dynamics, modifications, parent communication, social
media updates, parenting parents, managing data and board expectations; that is a
LOT on top of all of the other demands! I see you.

You put in so much time and invest seemingly neverending hours, and now it’s time to
take time for yourself.

It’s really important to me that my sessions are accessible and affordable. I aim to
create a supportive, understanding space where all clients can feel heard, valued and
understood. If you feel these challenges resonate with you give us a call at
226-647-6000 or send us an email at info@blisscounselling.ca.