It’s time to share some changes that I’ve implemented to my practice as well as how I envision the future of Ignite, LLC…..for now 🙂 I know, it has been awhile since I’ve blogged and it is something I have really missed!
This summer has been a really grueling for me. As my clients know, I also work at a local hospital on the neurology floor and my officemate retired June 1 and instead of 16 cases to watch over and support I was given 36. In August I had to move out of my office temporarily as they repair floors/patient rooms etc and unbeknownst to me I was given 4 more patients on the floor below me.
In early August I started reaching out to my own counselor again (David Thompson, LMFT), as well as my Dr. Justin Morse at Absolute Health Medical Center, Becky Howard, NP at the Oregon Medical Group, and more recently hooked back up with Sarah May, my acupuncturist. I did these things because I found things were off both professionally, medically, spiritually and I experienced what I call extreme compassion fatigue which also looks very much like depression with situational anxiety.
However, there is a light at the end of this tunnel! Oct 12th will be my last day on the 40 patient neurology floor and I’ll be training at an inpatient rehabilitation center for three weeks starting Oct 16th (average is a 14 patients). I’m so excited to be getting the chance (again) to train for three weeks with a mentor of mine, Mardy Allen, who has been there for 35 years. November 6th I’ll be given the honor of utilizing her knowledge~and implement my own in an environment much smaller than where I have been.
So what does this mean for my clients? I’m working hard to protect my time to stay aware of letting go~ saying farewell to some very dear colleagues is rough! Preparing for a new job, while exciting ~ also creates a different kind of stress. Positive stress is still stress. I’m also very aware the holidays are coming up so for some of my clients, they need to lean in a little more and I really need to make sure I am present for that~ but also for ME. So I can be there for them.
Transitions are challenging ~right? Ignite was born out of a stage of transition and grew in leaps and bounds! I’ve loved this work and the creativity it brings to try new things, to gain new perspectives, to grow alongside some very precious, brilliant, and loving people.
In summary:
- In honoring my time, I am honoring you so that I may create the most healing environment possible. This means right now I am not accepting new clients until after the New Year. I have a small waiting list (that will be integrated in as a few graduate but I have been clear about my intention to support them).
- I’m asking for help. This is empowering! I’ve found some new mentors like Grand Master Lee at the U.S Taekwondo College; he’s challenged me to move from white belt to yellow belt by December 1. I’m both excited and nervous, but he is wonderful and I can do this!
- One thing I’ve started but have had challenges with finding a core group of participants is to create more workshops/classes/retreats. The two that I have done have been really powerful (focusing on vision boards, gratitude jars, journaling, and female empowerment). I’m hoping to create some more intentional space for this.
- My next group will be a grief group that meets once a month for parents who have lost partners and are raising/supporting children (of any age) on their own. I’m thinking a group of 4-5 participants. Please email me if you are interested (joregonrose at protonmail dot com).
- Lastly I want to say thank you! With deep gratitude I feel so honored to walk alongside so many courageous people. Know that I do this because it works for me.
Always,
Jasmine Rose Penter, LCSW
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