How's Your Well-Being?
How is your well-being at work? It's easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re constantly absorbing the emotions of other people, on top of feeling the stress of growing a thriving practice.
The truth is, psychotherapy takes a psychological toll on practitioners. According to the American Psychological Association, more than one-third of licensed psychologists reported feeling burned out in 2023.
The impact of therapist burnout can be significant, making it difficult to maintain your mental and physical health and deliver compassionate care to your patients. Read on to learn more about what therapist burnout is, how to identify its symptoms, and strategies to prevent compassion fatigue and burnout.
What is burnout?
Burnout is broadly defined as an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.
Drs. Christina Maslach and Michael Leiter, pioneers in burnout research, characterize therapist burnout by three main components:
- Chronic exhaustion - you feel physically and emotionally drained more often than not.
- Chronic cynicism - developing a negative attitude about clients, colleagues, and the profession itself.
- Inefficacy - experiencing a decreased sense of accomplishment or feeling like you’re ineffective in helping your clients with their mental health issues.
Common signs of burnout
Therapists face unique occupational hazards, such as developing secondary trauma or compassion fatigue, that can increase your risk of feeling burned out. If you know what to look for, you can recognize the early warning signs.
Common symptoms of therapist burnout:
- Irritability
- A decreased sense of accomplishment
- Beginning sessions late and/or ending early
- Feeling relieved when clients cancel
- Emotional exhaustion
- Compassion fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping
Strategies to avoid burnout
When feelings of burnout start to occur, it’s easy to focus on short-term solutions. And while taking a vacation may help in the moment, the relief is often only temporary. For lasting change, focus on strategies that will have a deeper impact on your mind and body.
Create a support system. Being a therapist can be a lonely and isolating job. Join peer support groups or connect with a mentor to share experiences with someone who understands the unique challenges of a therapist.
Practice self care. Therapist self-care is essential for staying emotionally balanced and being able to create healthy boundaries. Schedule time for yourself every week to work in the garden, read a book, or get a massage. Put it on your calendar to make it a priority and prevent getting deterred.
Prioritize your health. Establish a routine that includes exercise, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep. This may include making time for a run in the morning, bringing your lunch to work, or setting a time you want to be in bed each night.
Reduce your workload. While burnout is common among all therapists, it’s even more prevalent for those who own a private practice. Consider using a practice management software that automates daily tasks, like billing and claims, so you have more time to on your clients and yourself.
Maintain a healthy work/life balance. Solid boundaries between work and personal time give you space to unwind after long days of offering support. If you work in an office, imagine a physical line on the way home that symbolizes the end of your day. If you work from home, shut down your computer, turn off emails, or close the door to your office each evening.
Learn to say no. It’s essential to establish healthy boundaries in your professional and personal lives. Being able to say no without feeling guilty or that you’re letting someone down protects your time, energy, and mental state. Which, in turn, only makes you better prepared for the things you choose to say yes to.
See a therapist. Everyone needs a safe space to process emotions, set realistic goals, and check-in regularly for accountability. Talking to someone out of your social circle will help you avoid burnout and compassion fatigue. If time is a concern, consider virtual therapy. By bettering yourself, you’ll be bettering the care you give your clients.
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