Holding Space in Hard Times: Self-Care and Sustainability for Financial Service Providers

Tuesday, March 24, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PT

Presented by Megan McCoy, Kansas State University.

Providing financial well-being services in today’s environment is demanding. Clients are navigating rising costs, unaffordable housing, increasing insurance rates, and ongoing personal crises — often all at once. As providers, we are asked to support clients through these challenges while managing our own stress, finances, and emotional well-being.

This workshop focuses on caring for the caregivers. A financial therapist will guide participants through strategies for supporting clients in crisis while also tending to their own mental health, money stories, and boundaries. We’ll explore how chronic exposure to crisis and trauma can contribute to burnout and what providers can do to reduce its impact.

The session will also include a panel of frontline practitioners who will share practical tools and real-world approaches they use to sustain themselves in this work. Participants will leave with concrete strategies for managing crisis situations and protecting their own well-being so they can continue showing up for clients in a healthy, sustainable way.

Panelists include:

• Barbara Maxwell, Blue Mountain Action Council

• Mahogany Tucker, YWCA | Seattle | King | Snohomish

• Mary Vargas, Tacoma Community House

Please submit any other accessibility requests by March 17 to abby@fenwa.org