The Business of Practice: Practicing Self-Compassion

In this episode of The Business of Practice podcast, we talked with Stacey Cordivano, DVM, about developing self-compassion.

Falling into a self-critical spiral after a mistake or bad outcome is one of the most common but least talked about parts of veterinary life. Every veterinarian has undoubtedly berated themselves in such situations. Cordivano explained the negative effects this has on mental health and shared research that shows self-compassion is important for resilience.

Self-compassion is often a foreign concept to high achievers, she said. In fact, many veterinarians have been taught the opposite—that being hard on yourself makes you a good clinician. But all humans are imperfect, and holding yourself to an impossibly high standard doesn’t change that.

Cordivano shared three interconnected elements of self-compassion identified by Kristin Neff, PhD, associate professor in the department of educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin:

1. Being kind and compassionate to yourself in moments of difficulty.
2. Recognizing that struggle and imperfection are part of the shared human experience.
3. Holding your painful feelings with perspective.

In closing, Cordivano shared resources for veterinarians who want to learn more about this topic.

About Dr. Stacey Cordivano

Stacey Cordivano, DVM, is a graduate of Penn State University and the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a one-year internship at B.W. Furlong and Associates in New Jersey and subsequently spent an intensive six months in Ocala, expanding her experience in the lameness field as an associate. Cordivano is the founder of Clay Creek Equine Veterinary Services, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband, two sons, and a farm full of animals. Cordivano currently serves on the AAEP’s board of directors and has served on multiple AAEP committees. She created The Whole Veterinarian podcast and is also part of the leadership team for Decade One and The Sustainability in Equine Practice Seminar series, all of which serve the goal of helping equine veterinarians thrive.

Related Reading

• Veterinary Wellness Briefs: How to Avoid Absorbing Your Clients’ Emotions
• The Business of Practice: Silencing Your Inner Critic
• Veterinary Wellness Briefs: Mental Health Resources for Veterinarians

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