CLASP ~ Colleagues Assistance and Support Program Column
“Creating Collaborative Communities of Support acrossCalifornia”
Dani Beckerman, Psy.D.
Collaborative communities emphasize the mutual process of growth and learning for its members. Each one of us has something unique to offer, a world view, a knowledge base, a field of study, and experiences. We are all teachers as well as learners (Nichols, 1988; Papero, 1988). Porter and Vasquez (1997) note that collaboration is truly about entering into an authentic relationship and working together to achieve both individual and interpersonal goals as well as the goals of those we work with.
Creating collaborative communities of support can be a powerful and connecting process in which psychologists can come together to collaborate and support each other in personal, professional, and self-care goals. Each of us have our own strengths, field of study, and vision that guides and assists us- as well as those we work with - to grow and prosper. Integrating different voices and perspectives can open up an opportunity to enhance awareness, develop new knowledge, and create possibilities for health and wellness.
Suicideclaims lives, and as psychologists weare not immune. One year ago my former boss and internship supervisor committed suicide, one day prior to me closing my practice within his group. I had not known anyone personally who had died from suicide, especially a psychologist. He was someone who knew where the resources were and he had been an active participant in CLASP. He utilized different interventions to assist him during this difficult time, and still his death was upon us. How can this happen? It makes me ponder, what masks do clinicians wear? What fears and obstacles do they have about sharing their own troubles, conflicts and pain with their colleagues? It also poses the question of how colleagues make the choice to reach out for support, to disclose or not to disclose, or to take their own life.
As the new CPA CLASP Chair, one of my primary goals is to create collaborative communities of support across the stateas a way to develop authentic connections, reduce risk of colleagues in distress, and open communication. Collaboration can be a powerful tool. It has the ability to enhance relationships, decrease isolation, open resources, address difficult situations from a more holistic stance, and create a positive and preventative standard of care. Many people, including psychologists, still perceive psychotherapy or engaging in help-seeking behavior to be a stigma versus an investment into the emotional, psychological, relational, and spiritual self. Developing collaborative communities of support, engaging in early intervention programs and psychotherapy can be seen as gifts that we give ourselves. These venues and relationships are educational resources for the psycho-social-emotional being. As psychologists, we may know this, yet barriers still exist: fears of perceived judgment or perceived shame in letting people know that we too are struggling.
As psychologists and mental health providers, it is important to reflect upon our own path, direction, and self-care needs. As clinicians, it is essential that we recognize our own limits and boundaries. We practice prevention by seeking out support, consultation, connection, and time, both personally and professionally. Working as a psychologistis intense, meaningful, giving, and at times draining. So much of oneself is given; so many emotions are held to assist others to work through their difficulties, hurts, pain, and trauma. We need to learn to carve out time for ourselves as well. Suicide prevention starts with each one of us recognizing and modeling the benefits of taking care of ourselves and our community.
The need to de-stigmatize help seeking behavior and mental health issues is essential for a healthy community and a healthy self. There is evidence that early intervention can reduce the incidence of stress-related physical problems and well as reduce the severity of depression and anxiety. Early intervention starts with our selves. (Diane Bridgeman, CPA Presentation 03/03). Dr. Bridgeman (2003) emphasizes the importance of “accepting support from others,” “developing a work schedule that schedules yourself in for eating healthy, working out, yoga, meditation,” “connecting with yourself and with others,” “engaging in creative outlets,” “embracing your profession and its practice,” and “taking pride in your personal and professional accomplishments” to assist in refueling resources and creating a foundation of resiliency. Additionally, the ability to identify early warning signs of distress (i.e., social withdrawal, frequent irritability, persistent fatigue, professional boundary problems, substance abuse, compulsive sexuality) (CPA CLASP web page) is essential for decreasing the incidents of debilitating mental health issues, economic and physical difficulties, as well as assisting in one’s longevity.
Creating collaborative communities of support is a proactive stance to wellness and self-care. I believe that colleagues need to reach out anywhere along the continuum from wellness to crisis byestablishing meaningful and genuine connections amongst colleagues. By establishing these connectionsbefore difficult situations arise, support, resources, and assistance may be easier to access.
Within my local community, I have co-created and facilitated Women in Health Care events, in which women from all walks of health care come together to assist each other in meeting personal, professional and self-care goals. Not only has this enhanced the support amongst women health care providers, it has also created a bridge of communication across different disciplines. The Collaborative Consultation Group is a new venue that embraces members of our local association (MBPA) and local psychiatrists to explore the professional, clinical, ethical, and legal issues we all face. Working collaboratively allows for more opportunity than working competitively. In collaboration, we create win – win situations. Our goals and needs may differ, yet through connection each may grow and learn from one another. In competition, having a winner and a loser can lead to separation and division.
We live in a busy world, and as psychologists, clinicians, advocates, researchers, and academics we give a lot of ourselves. Our resources drain as our time is divided between clients, students, profession, families, friends, and religious organizations. In many cases, people cut back on taking care of themselves and thus, their resources are depleted without the opportunity to refuel. Refueling is a both a mental health as well as holistic health issue. Embracing the need for self care - be it exercising, eating well, getting regular physical, spiritual, and mental health check ups - is essential. By developing collaborative communities of support across California, we can continue to spin a web of safety, openness, respect and support.
Within CPA, there are many existing opportunities to connect and develop collaborative and meaningful relationships. Members can join Divisions; attend upcoming Brown Bag Lunches focusing on Supervision; meet colleagues at a central location to discuss business and research ideas, expansion of practices, and/or ethical dilemmas. Many chapters of CPA offer trainings on self- care, resiliency, and mindful meditation. The CPA web site offers information about what your own, neighboring and distant chapters offer. By entering into different communities, we have opportunities to connect with like-minded people and take in new perspectives and paradigms.
CLASP maintains a toll-free confidential support line for colleagues in distress at 888-262-8293. Additionally, the CLASP website ( provides a variety of articles and resources.
Dani Beckerman, Psy.D., Chairs the CLASP Executive Committee and is a CPA BOD Representative, and the Immediate Past President of the Monterey Bay Psychological Association. She has a private practice in Santa Cruzand is an Associate Professor at JFK.
If you have feedback, or would like to join the committee and be part of continuing to create collaborative communities of support, please contact Dr. Dani Beckerman at 1406 mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, (831) 426- 4735, .
References for this article are available upon request.