Valentine’s Day 2024: 3 Self-Love Activities to Use in the Therapy Space


Written by Kelsey Someliana-Lauer, Therapy Practice Solutions Virtual Assistant

Valentine's Day makes us think of love, plain and simple. It's all about romance, hugs, and showing how much we care. People get excited planning cute dates, making heartfelt cards, or even surprising each other with gifts. Valentine’s is a time to appreciate the special someone who lights up our lives and makes our hearts skip a beat. It's a day to remind us to cherish that connection and spread some love and romance around.


While romantic love is great for some folx, what about self-love?


In America, the concept of self-love is gaining momentum. Studies show that a growing number of people are prioritizing self-care and self-compassion. According to recent surveys, over 80% of female Americans believe it's important to practice self-love, with many citing improved mental health and overall well-being as the main benefits. Despite societal pressures and expectations, individuals are increasingly recognizing the importance of loving and accepting themselves just as they are. 


Are your clients looking to develop self-love in the therapy room? The pros at Therapy Practice Solutions are here to help! Read on for three self-love activities to use in the therapy space.


Of course! Here are the same self-love activities with step-by-step instructions:


Activity #1: Gratitude Journaling

Journaling has clear benefits for mental health, self-awareness, gratitude, and self-love. To help clients develop a gratitude journaling exercise, consider doing the following:


  1. Set aside time each day: Encourage clients to designate a specific time, preferably in the morning or before bed, to write in their gratitude journal.

  2. Provide a journal: Supply clients with a dedicated journal for gratitude journaling, ensuring they have a designated space for their entries.

  3. Encourage specificity: Prompt clients to be specific in their entries, focusing on detailed aspects of their lives they're grateful for rather than generalities.

  4. Discuss positive emotions: Explore the positive emotions that arise from focusing on gratitude, helping clients recognize and savor these feelings.

  5. Identify patterns: Guide clients to identify patterns of positivity and abundance in their lives, reinforcing the practice of gratitude.


Activity #2: Self-Compassion Meditation

Meditation is a wonderful way to cultivate both awareness of and appreciation for the self. To help clients do a self-compassionate meditation, you can: 


  1. Guided exercises: Lead clients through guided meditation exercises focused on cultivating self-compassion, providing verbal prompts and instructions.

  2. Provide resources: Supply clients with scripts or recordings of guided self-compassion meditations for use outside of therapy sessions.

  3. Non-judgmental attitude: Encourage clients to adopt a non-judgmental attitude towards their thoughts and feelings during meditation, allowing them to observe without criticism.

  4. Discuss importance: Discuss the importance of self-compassion in navigating challenges and setbacks, emphasizing its role in fostering resilience and emotional well-being.

  5. Integration: Explore ways to integrate self-compassion practices beyond formal meditation sessions, encouraging clients to apply self-compassion in their daily lives.


Activity #3: Body Appreciation Exercise

Body positivity has shown to increase self-esteem and to decrease the risk of developing an eating disorder. To encourage clients to show love for their bodies, try the following: 


  1. Body scan meditation: Guide clients through a body scan meditation, instructing them to focus on physical sensations throughout their body.

  2. Appreciation focus: Encourage clients to focus on areas of their body they appreciate or feel neutral about, redirecting attention from perceived flaws.

  3. Challenge negative beliefs: Explore any negative body image beliefs and challenge them with evidence to the contrary, fostering a more balanced perspective.

  4. Self-care exploration: Discuss ways clients can practice self-care and nurture their bodies, such as through healthy habits, relaxation techniques, or enjoyable activities.

  5. Promote acceptance: Encourage activities that promote body acceptance and celebration, helping clients cultivate a more positive relationship with their bodies.


We hope this post shared some activities to bring self-love into the therapy space! At Therapy Practice Solutions, we know how important it is for you to use your time and energy in ensuring high quality care for your clients. If you’d like to offload tasks to make time for providing great care to your clients, reach out to us today. The pros at Therapy Practice Solutions would love to help you help others. We look forward to hearing from you!

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