108 The Coaching Toolkit for Child Welfare Practice
Table 4.8. Effective Self-Care Strategies (Skovholt, 2001)
Top 10 Helpful Self-
Care Activities
Gamble, Pearlman, Lucca,
and Allen. (1995). Cited by
Pearlman, 1995.
10 Important
Themes of those
who Engage in Self-
Care
Coster and Schwebel (1997,
pp. 28, 2-13).Top 10 Activities
Contributing to Well-
Functioning
Coster and Schwebel (1997,
pp. 28, 5-13). Takes vacations
Participates in social
activities
Has emotional
support from
colleagues
Pleasure reads
Seeks consultation
on difficult cases
Reads relevant
professional
literature
Takes breaks during
the work day
Has emotional
support from
friends or family
Spends time with
children
Listens to music
Receives support
from peers
Has stable personal
relationships
Has adequate
supervision
Has a balanced life
Affiliates with a
graduate training
program
Receives personal
psychotherapy
Participates in
continuing education
Understands the
negative costs of
professional
impairment
Understands the
benefits of positive
coping mechanisms
(for example,
vacations, rest,
relaxation, exercise,
evening with friends,
spirituality) Is self-aware and self-
monitoring
Has personal values
Preserves balance
between personal and
professional lives
Good relationship
with spouse, partner,
or family
Personal therapy
Good relationship
with friends
Takes vacations
Has a professional
identity
Has informal peer
support
Has a mentor