Requirements for my Role

Arrive on time.

Be present.

Remain neutral.

Listen carefully.

Do not interrupt.

Hold appropriate eye contact.

Maintain professional boundaries.

Maintain emotional regulation.

Maintain hope.

Track risk.

Track progress.

Track time.

Use evidence-based language.

Avoid assumptions.

Avoid judgement.

Do not personalise.

Do not rescue.

Do not react.

Contain distress.

Contain silence.

Contain yourself.

End sessions on time.

Transition smoothly.

Leave work at work.

Answer messages politely.

Return calls promptly.

Be available, but not too available.

Remember names.

Remember stories.

Forget nothing important.

Remain calm.

Remain steady.

Remain human

(no, but...wait)

Remain calm.

Be the safe place.

Be the steady voice.

Be the one who can hear this.

Do not carry it home.

Do not replay it.

Do not feel it later.

Do not think about the look

on their face

after you’ve turned the screen off.

Do not sit in the car

after the last session

because the engine isn’t on

and neither are you.

Do not eat toast for dinner again.

Do not ignore the heaviness

in your chest

that wasn’t there this morning.

Do not answer the phone

when someone says,

“I know you’re tired, but...”

Actually...

answer it.

You’re a therapist.

Remember

YOU chose this.

You’re trained for this.

You can handle this.

You should be able to handle this.

"Should"...being the operative word...

Just breathe.

Just regulate.

Just get through tomorrow.

And if the list stops working,

if the structure gives way,

if calm becomes an effort...

reset.

wash your face.

show up anyway.

Because somewhere,

someone is relying

on the version of you

that still stands

when the list

falls apart.