Why Parallel Working is More Than A Trend
By Shannon Heers
As a therapist, you are constantly striving to provide the best possible care for your clients, while also managing your own well-being. For those therapists who have ADHD, this balancing act can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why it is essential to explore strategies that not only accommodate your unique neurodiversity but also enhance your clinical practice. In this guide, we’ll delve into the concept of parallel working and why it’s more than just a trend for therapists, especially those with ADHD.
Understanding ADHD in Therapists
Before diving into parallel working, let’s take a moment to understand how ADHD can impact therapists. ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, can show up differently in everyone. Even though each therapist’s experience with ADHD is unique, there are common challenges that therapists with ADHD experience. This can include:
- Difficulty maintaining focus during sessions
- Struggles with time management and organization
- Tendency to hyperfocus on certain tasks while neglecting others
- Challenges transitioning between clients
- Problems completing clinical paperwork in a timely manner
Conversely, ADHD therapists also have many strengths. They tend to be big-picture thinkers that can conceptualize complex cases well, and may pick up on things that others miss. In addition, their creativity in using different clinical interventions or theoretical approaches with clients can benefit their clinical outcomes.
The Concept of Parallel Working
Parallel working is an approach to completing tasks in a timely manner that understands and embraces the diverse ways in which individuals process information and engage in job duties. Rather than adhering to a traditional linear workflow, parallel working encourages therapists to embrace flexibility, creativity and spontaneity in their clinical practice. This can also be called body doubling, or accountability partners.
The parallel working approach recognizes that ADHD traits, such as jumping between tasks and divergent (nonlinear) thinking, can be valuable assets in your therapy practice rather than hindrances. Parallel working can look different depending on how you do it, but overall it is getting together in-person or virtually with another therapist (or many) and completing your tasks together.
Different tasks that therapists can work on during parallel working sessions may include:
- Paperwork such as progress notes or treatment plans
- Catching up on emails
- Vision or strategic planning for your practice
- Creating and implementing marketing ideas
- Preparing for client sessions
- Learning a new therapeutic technique or intervention
The great thing about parallel working sessions is that being accountable to each other for the duration of the session, this makes it more likely that you will complete your identified tasks. Let’s face it, many of the tasks I listed above may be non-preferable for ADHD therapists. And doing non-preferred tasks requires an extra level of motivation that is difficult to conjure on your own.
Benefits of Parallel Working for Therapists with ADHD
For therapists with ADHD, parallel working offers many benefits that align with your cognitive strengths and preferences. Here are some key advantages of incorporating parallel working into your clinical practice:
Flexibility
Parallel working allows you to adapt your approach to completing the tasks that you don’t enjoy doing, based on your unique needs. This can be particularly beneficial for therapists with ADHD who thrive in dynamic and ever-changing environments. Choose what tasks you want to complete during the session, or interject tasks that you enjoy with non-preferred tasks. You can even reward yourself somehow for completing a parallel working session for extra motivation.
Creativity
Parallel working encourages therapists to think outside the box and explore unconventional therapeutic techniques. Having time to think about all the ways that you can help your clients will benefit everyone. You may feel more energized, and your clients will have options on how to get better.
Efficiency
Contrary to the misconception that ADHD leads to disorganization and inefficiency, therapists with ADHD often excel at parallel processing. By embracing parallel working, you can leverage your strengths to streamline your workflow and maximize your productivity.
Engagement
Because parallel working is social, it fosters a collaborative and interactive environment while can help with motivation to complete your tasks. The extra stimulation of doing your work with others can be particularly rewarding for therapists with ADHD, who thrive on variety and stimulation.
Practical Tips for Implementing Parallel Working
Now that we’ve explored the benefits of parallel working, let’s discuss some practical strategies for incorporating this approach into your clinical practice. First, you want to find an accountability partner(s) or see if there are options to join an already-existing parallel working or body-doubling session. This type of work and collaboration is popping up everywhere, so all you need to do is search for it.
Then, you’ll want to find a regular parallel working environment that works for you. Parallel working is best when you do it regularly, depending on the number of non-preferred tasks that you have to do. For therapists, it is recommended that you do weekly or every-other-week parallel working sessions to keep up on your clinical documentation and/or the administrative and business aspects of your work.
Utilize technology to assist you in your parallel working. Don’t have time to drive to the library to meet with colleagues who are doing parallel working sessions there? Then see if you can join an online parallel working group, or create your own. All you need is an online meeting platform such as Zoom or Google Meets to host the meeting.
Parallel working can work best when there is an assigned facilitator for the parallel working session, who helps with time management and notices when you may be drifting your attention during the session. Group members can rotate the facilitator role, or there can be one person who does this each time. Regardless of what your parallel working session looks like, make sure that it is helpful for you!
Join a Clinical Consultation Community
You may not know other therapists who have an interest in parallel working, or who identify as having ADHD. Or if you’re looking to explore parallel working and get quality clinical consultation in addition, check out our Clinical Consultation Community. Our supportive community provides a safe space for therapists of all types, not just those with ADHD, to connect, learn, and grow together.
Included in our clinical consultation plans are twice-monthly parallel working sessions, in addition to numerous other benefits. Parallel working is not just a passing trend – it’s a powerful paradigm shift to completing clinical tasks that empowers therapists with ADHD (and without) to harness your unique strengths and thrive in your clinical practice. By embracing all the positive aspects of ADHD including flexibility, creativity and collaboration, therapists like you can enhance your effectiveness with your clients.
How we can help
Schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation today and discover how we can support you on your journey towards professional development and clinical excellence. Don’t wait any longer, take the first step towards embracing parallel working and join the our community today!
Author Bio
Shannon Heers is a psychotherapist, approved clinical supervisor, guest blogger, and the owner of a group psychotherapy practice in the Denver area. Shannon helps adults in professional careers manage anxiety, depression, work-life balance, and grief and loss. Follow Firelight Supervision on Instagram and Facebook.
