First I learned to muffle my caring—the very beacon that had led me to this calling. Next I mastered the canons of professional survival: avoid involvement—don’t let patients matter too much. Remember they’ll be gone tomorrow. Don’t concern yourself with their postdischarge plans. Remember that small is beautiful—settle for small goals—don’t attempt too much—don’t set yourself up for failure. If therapy group patients learn simply that talking helps, that being closer to others feels good, that they may be of use to others—that’s plenty.
