One of things I try to teach Medical Students and Registrars is mindfulness/holding space for the feelings and emotions of our patients especially with the “uncomfortable painful ones”. It’s very important for counseling work and can actually be very difficult for many of us to do.
Not too fused or “zoomed into” the feelings and emotions of our patients but not too detached either.
Too fused or “zoomed into” the feelings and emotions of our patients and we may “catch it”, suffer with our patients, burn out and get compassion fatigue.
Too detached or “zoomed out” and we may risk losing empathy, connection and miss the subtle emotional agendas behind their presentations.
Mindfulness with “the feelings of others” is the “sweet spot”. Not too close but not too far either.
I wonder if you can relate this to our interactions with our patients.
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