It’s Day 9 of the HAWMC; you can start with Day 1 here.

Today’s prompt:  Patients, what advice or tips do you have for caregivers out there — professional or otherwise?

Because I’m a caregiver, I have the unique opportunity to be both patient and professional within the fertility world.  Well, not a patient anymore, but a looooong history of being one.  For professionals (including docs, nurses, and staff), my personal tip is to simply be present for your patients.

You may have the education, the knowledge, the stats memorized, etc, but you are not that patient.  Be present when they talk about their concerns and issues, and listen — really listen — to what is being said as opposed to throwing out numbers and diagnoses.

Nothing is more powerful than a professional who is totally present for their patients or clients.  Instead of feeling like a number, she/he may actually feel like a person.

Okay….now as a professional therapist, I’d love to ask you guys:  What advice and/or tips do you have for us headshrinkers?

Listening presently…

~M