Why Do You Need Self-Compassion As a Ketamine Clinic Owner?

In this blog we share why self-compassion is important as a ketamine clinic owner, how it is therapeutic for you and your patients, and a self-compassion exercise you can use.

People who work in the medical profession are some of the most hard working people we’ve ever met. As medical professionals ourselves, we know how much is and has been demanded of fellow physicians. As a result, they are also the hardest on themselves. 

The decisions we make can make or break a person. Plus, even if we did everything by the book and followed the algorithm perfectly, bad outcomes can still happen. This adds to the mental and emotional pressure. 

It’s no surprise why physicians are so hard on themselves and always strive for perfection. No amount of vacation, scribes, better EMR, etc. can help with this if we don’t choose to be kinder to ourselves. This is where the need for self-compassion comes in, especially when starting a ketamine clinic or anything that’s outside of your comfort zone. 

As with any new venture, starting a ketamine clinic will be full of challenges, making you doubt yourself at times. This is why self-compassion is essential so you won’t be too hard on yourself.

Importance of self-compassion and your why 

What is self-compassion? Simply put, it’s compassion turned inward. According to Dr. Kristin Neff, “Self-compassion entails being warm and understanding toward ourselves when we suffer, fail, or feel inadequate, rather than ignoring our pain or flagellating ourselves with self-criticism.” 

As you start your ketamine clinic, you’ll learn how to run a business and deliver life-transforming treatments. During this journey, you’ll have plenty of opportunity for failure, feeling inadequate, and suffering. You have chosen a rewarding but hard path, and choosing self-judgment or self-criticism will only make your job harder. 

You will question yourself, question your decisions, and at times be ready to stop, especially when you are not feeling very self-compassionate. One way we keep our focus and help us to remain kind and understanding in those challenging moments is to return to our “why” or purpose. Remembering why you are going through all this trouble can help give you a more understanding perspective.

Learn more about the importance of having a strong “WHY” in our blog, “Why You Need A Strong Why To Start A Ketamine Clinic”

When our weaknesses and flaws start to show, self-compassion is there to keep us going. Self-compassion is also essential for our patients when they face challenges in their treatment.

Self-Compassion is Therapeutic

There’s nothing quite like a new experience to highlight the areas we need growth in. You’ll recognize the areas in your life that you need to personally heal and work on, and this unmasking alone can be unnerving. Time for some self-compassion. When you make a simple or massive mistake, enter self-compassion. 

Practicing self-compassion is going to be key to keeping your spirits up. But there is also an added benefit: working on your own self-compassion primes you to be more compassionate towards your patients.

Since your patients are going through healing and transformation, they need to be especially compassionate with themselves. For many who are getting ketamine infusion treatments, they have tried other treatments which didn’t work. As a result, they can end up getting even more pressured, hoping that the ketamine will help. 

If the infusion treatments aren’t going well or the improvement is going slow, they can begin to question the treatment. They may start to question you, or worse, question themselves. Modeling and encouraging self-compassion along with self-care can be especially helpful for your patients.

When you’re facing a challenge, think of yourself as your own friend that you are giving advice to. What would you tell your friend?

An exercise: You Are Your Own Friend

The next time you face a challenge, try this. Imagine for a moment that your friend is struggling as they are starting a ketamine clinic. They are dealing with a challenge (which happens to be the same one you are facing) or questioning their decision. What words of encouragement or support would you give them? Find a quiet moment and reflect on your answer. Feel the love and compassion you would have for your friend. Now direct those loving feelings towards yourself. Receive your own words of encouragement. 

Starting a business will be full of learning experiences on how to be a skilled entrepreneur. Along the way, you’ll learn more about yourself too.

Add Self-compassion to Your Entrepreneurial Toolbox

You’re going to learn a lot about how to run a business. Whether you mean to or not, you’ll learn a little bit about contacts, loans, accounting, etc. But what you’re going to learn the most about, is you. You’re going to grow. You’re going to stumble from time to time. So alongside all the traditional business tools, please remember to add self-compassion too. Go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back or a hug. Take a break. You deserve it!

Are you ready to start your journey as a soon-to-be ketamine clinic owner? Join our email list and be notified about the next free webinar and open registration for Ketamine StartUp.

Are you sometimes too hard on yourself? We bet you are! Being physicians ourselves, we know many colleagues in the medical profession are most definitely hard on themselves. Well guess what? That’s not going to fly when you start your ketamine clinic. Read on as to why both you AND your patients need self compassion!