Core Practice Values

As I’ve been moving into private work, I’ve been reflecting on my values. Both my personal values and my practice values.

I’ve been thinking about how I am my happiest when my personal values align most closely with my values at work. I have this settled, grounded feeling within me and I find getting up to go to work easy and coming home from work exciting. I’ve found, that for me, value alignment is a big part of work life balance.

I have a clear memory when I was finishing school and a family member told to find a job that doesn’t feel like work, and then I won’t work a day in my life. I now know that’s a common saying, but for me it was groundbreaking. I feel so lucky that I’ve found work that excites me and that I enjoy so much. I also believe that finding work that has so closely to my values has been a big part of that.

The final thought I’ve had that stood out amongst the chatter is that I believe it’s the values I work to that assist in creating in a working relationship, whether it’s a therapeutic counselling relationship, or an organisation asking for self care training or an assessment being completed.

I decided I would narrow my values down to five core values. I found this extremely difficult, and I’m hoping that the other values whispering to me that thyme should be included are captured in the five I’ve gone with.

So, I landed on

1. Authenticity

   I’ve been influenced by the work of Brene Brown on shame, vulnerability and her discussion of Authenticity. I believe it’s through being authentic that two people can build a connection, and that it’s this connection that begins the development of safety. I also believe we can be authentic and remain boundaried in our practice.

2. Communication

   Communication is integral to therapeutic work, with a real focus on health communication and creating a space for everyone to be communicating effectively, both verbally and non verbally. Within this value I also hope to communicate about the hard stuff, and develop a level of safety that all communication is welcome.

3. Integrity

   I hope that I am known to say what I mean and mean what I say. I hope that people see in the work that I do that I am trustworthy and earn the privilege of being allowed into people’s lives.

4. Community

   I hope that this space connects people and allows us to come together, both for the greater good of our communities both small and large, but also creates the space to work towards our own goals with the support of each other. I believe this linking to community can foster a feeling of connection and within connection we also grow a sense of safety.

5. Equality

   I hold myself accountable to act with respect to all people with their differences and individuality. I also work from a practice perspective of knowing that while I bring skills and knowledge I have worked hard for to the table, everyone else brings their own skills and knowledge that they have worked hard for.

So, what are your thoughts? What values are you holding dear?

Let me know if you think I missed one!

I hope you’re smiling

Caz :)