The Faith Fringes Podcast hosted by Dawn Gabriel is for anyone
who has ever - or who is currently - questioning their connection
with God. Do you find yourself wondering if what you believe is
true, asking how a loving God can let bad things happen to good
people, or questioning how you're supposed to experience God in
everyday life?
As someone born into a Christian
home amidst the Christian culture of the Midwest or "Bible Belt,"
Dawn has experienced many emotions, unanswered questions, and
life-changing moments that altered her perceptions of faith
forever. She's here to let you know that everyone's journey in
finding a deeper connection with God is different, but that doesn't
mean that journeys shouldn't be shared.
As a Group Practice Owner,
Consultant, wife, boy mom, and Podcaster, Dawn believes that you
can - and will - experience God in so many unexpected ways. It's
okay to question and challenge everything you've been taught. If
you're a Spiritual Explorer, interested in becoming one or looking
for an inclusive and safe space where doubt, questions, and
curiosity are encouraged,
Faith Fringes Podcast is for you.
Interviewing For Workplace Culture In Group Practice
Dawn started a group practice, but she didn't have any business
skills. Sadly, Dawn didn't know about this beautiful world of
consulting. For the first three years, Dawn would hire people who
could see clients; she didn't streamline her interview process.
During year three, Dawn realized she needed to get better at
interviewing. Dawn finally understood the need to interview for
workplace culture. Plus, Dawn got business consulting. It changed
her practice. Hiring the right people for your business is crucial;
it can make or break your group practice.
Building The Right Culture Within Your Team
Building the right culture within your practice is a learning
process and a growth process as a business owner. Dawn wanted the
therapist to be faith-based,
but she didn't want the practice to be faith-based
necessarily. Dawn's group practice doesn't overtly advertise that
they integrate the Christian faith; instead, they make it more
subtle. However, Christian faith is something that is embedded in
their workplace culture. She wanted that to be important to the
people that she hires.
Your Therapists Should Also Be In Therapy
It's essential when you're hiring to ask a question somehow to
find out if they're in therapy or if they've been in therapy. You
want therapists who have worked on their own stuff. Dawn does a
three-part interview process. During the second interview, Dawn
involves her team. Dawn's team is made up of individual
contractors, but they commit to a team atmosphere. They have team
retreats and monthly team meetings. The independent contractors
commit to those standards. If you're thinking of hiring independent
contractors, do your research on how you can implement team
meetings or retreats.
Taking Care of Your Soul as a Therapist
There's a spiritual piece of all of us, whatever faith or
religion you choose to believe in and follow. No matter what,
there's still this element of something deeper within us that's
bigger than us. As therapists, we create and hold sacred space for
others; there's something sacred in that room, regardless of what
religion one believes. There is healing, hope, and transformation
in therapy. It impacts therapists on a deep level. So, it's vital
to look at that deep within your own self of what's happening
spiritually in your soul.
The Importance of Self-Care For Mental Health
Practitioners
Sometimes we put our worth and our purpose in how we impact
others. Often, that can come at the expense of our own self-care.
Unfortunately, many people are not putting self-care as a focus.
Sometimes it feels better to give to other people. Plus, when we
focus on ourselves, lots of stuff will bubble up to the surface.
That's why it can almost be easier to help other people rather than
take care of ourselves. During the pandemic, therapists needed to
focus on self-care because we are simultaneously going through a
similar trauma that our clients are going through.
