Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Recovery Ritual

RSD can wreak havoc for a solo private practioner but that doesn’t mean you can’t have your solo practice. Rejection is not an if but a when. We need to accept that we are not everyone’s cup of tea. Some folks like coffee better. Having a recovery ritual can help you rebound better.

I personally dream about all the possible jobs I can do other than being a therapist. At first it was barista (I prefer coffee). Now it’s private investigator. I allow myself to fantasize about my “new” career. I even research a bit. Then, I either binge watch an old show (usually nothing new) or binge read fan fic or play video games (I like deck building games). Then, I reach out to a trusted colleague and share that I feel rejected and then focus on my strengths while accepting my weaknesses.

Obviously, do what works for you.

Some other possible ideas for your ritual:

Music playlists

Art, either viewing or creating

Movement

Body work, stretching, massage, cryotherapy

Therapy

Develop a ritual for yourself but don’t forget to try to set yourself up for success. Read the following blogs on marketing and marketing with RSD to help prevent needing the ritual all the time.

Another thing to consider with RSD is prevalence of burnout. I don’t have any published evidence to back the claim up, but my experience tells me that RSD contributes to higher rates of burnout for clinicians. Make sure that your are prepping for burnout. That includes building community, continuing education, and diversifying your practice.