BLOG | 14 APR 2022

OUR VALUES – BRIDGING COURAGE, COMMITMENT, AND HUMOUR TO SPS

At Shoalhaven Psychology Services we have held the four values of humility, equality, growth, and gratitude in our day-to-day practice. 

Values are things we believe are important in the way we live and work. Values guide and motivate our attitudes and actions in our day-to-day lives. Over time our values may change. What we choose to value and focus on can shift as our lives shift in different directions. 

As we at SPS have continued to evolve as a practice, so to have our values. Whilst we still uphold the values of humility, equality, growth, and gratitude, and wish to continue implementing them within our practice, we also want to bring a focus toward courage, commitment, and humour. 

I want to provide you with a little bit of insight into what these values mean to us at SPS.

Courage: “The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery” (Oxford English Dictionary)

All our clients that step through the therapy room door demonstrate courage (we even have a room at the Kiama clinic called the “Courage Room”). From the first moment you book in to see your GP to get a referral or from the first time you call us or email us to book an appointment, you are demonstrating courage. To book an appointment, to then show up for your appointment, to then meet a stranger (your psychologist) who you are going to share your story with, is not easy (we know!). It takes courage to want to help yourself. It takes courage to face your fears. It takes courage to be vulnerable. It takes courage to make change. At SPS we want to support you so that your courage remains, we want to remind you of your courage when you start to doubt your ability to persist with the challenges that can arise with making change, and we want to celebrate your courage. 

Commitment: “The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc” (Oxford English Dictionary)

For therapy to be effective, commitment is key. Not only do you as the client need to be willing to show commitment, but so too does your psychologist. Without mutual commitment, rapport and trust will not develop, and progress will not occur. For clients, commitment to therapy involves showing up for sessions, attending sessions on a regular basis, setting goals with their psychologist, and implementing strategies outside of sessions. For psychologists, commitment to therapy involves showing up for the client, being present in the session, listening to clients without judgement, and being willing to repair any ruptures to rapport that may occur. At SPS we are now booking clients in for 10 sessions when they call to make their first appointment. This is to ensure that clients have regular sessions booked to avoid long wait times between sessions. This also helps to set the expectation that therapy is a long-term commitment, and we are committed to working long-term with our clients. 

Humour: “The quality of being amusing or comic, especially as expressed in literature or speech; A mood or state of mind” (Oxford English Dictionary)

There are many benefits of humour. Bringing humour into your life can prevent stress and burnout, increase relaxation and happiness, and boost your immune system and connection with others. In therapy, laughter can be cathartic, reduce nervous tension, and enhance rapport between you and your psychologist. At SPS we want to bring humour into our day-to-day work with our clients and with our team. We want to take a break from the serious side of therapy, because after all, therapy does not always have to be so serious! We invite you to let us get to know your sense of humour. 

Now that you have some insight into our additional values of courage, commitment, and humour, we look forward to sharing these with you as we work together. 

By Kaelan Jones

Psychologist