Are you curious on how to combat burnout as a therapist? Therapists are often faced with stressors daily, especially with all that is going on in the world today. This chronic stress can give therapists little time to focus on themselves, to take a break, and reset. Therapists seem to forget that they are human too and can only do so much. These emotional, physical, and mental stressors are what lead to burnout. Therapists can experience burnout after a long period of stressors without relief.
When experiencing burnout, it can be hard to be present during sessions and can also cause a disconnect with those around them. Navigating the pandemic and other significant changes among us, has put a lot of strain and pressure on mental health providers.
Are you a therapist who is currently struggling with burnout, guilt, frustration, or lack of self-care? These issues are more common than you would think with the illnesses, changes of laws, shooting, and much more going on around us. Even the pros need help to combat burnout as a therapist.
Signs of burnout as a therapist
- Being distracted during sessions
- Feeling emotionally, physically, and mentally drained
- Being distant from the job or duties
- Lack of drive
- Depression
- Having negative feelings or a lack of purpose
- Anxiety
Tips to help prevent burnout
- Take time for the things that you enjoy doing. Find a hobby, go out into nature, use expressive writing, read a book, draw, do the things that will get you to be inspired again.
- Leave your work at work. This is easier said than done but it is important to set boundaries. If you work from home, set an alarm for when to walk away and try to keep work in a room that is not otherwise used to separate from your work.
- Work on physical and emotional self-care. Get enough sleep, exercise, use breaks and downtime to relax, drink water, go for walks, etc. Focus on your emotions and not just others, focus on holistic self-care to help address your mind, body, and soul.
- Meet your needs first before trying to meet the needs of others. You cannot pour from an empty glass, if you do not take care of yourself, how can you expect to help others? This can include utilizing therapy for yourself, just because you are the therapist does not mean you yourself do not need a therapist.
- Make and spend time with loved ones. When we are burnt out, we typically spend less time with those we love. These are times we do not get back, do not feel guilty for being there for those closest to you. The ones we love can help us to see what it is we need or are lacking.
- Work on new certifications. The more you work towards your niche or overall education, the more chance you have of creating inspiration you may be lacking. This can help us to change our perspective and find new things that excite us.
- Practice what you teach. Remind yourself that if you are expecting your clients to do homework, self-care, or work on themselves, then it is important to show that you are doing or willing to do the same for yourself.
- Take mental health days. This is very important and does not mean you have to go on vacation to take a break. Take days out of the month to rest, work on yourself, and reset your mindset before resuming to work.
Do not feel guilty for working on yourself. Accept that you cannot help everyone and that is okay. Most therapists experience burnout in their career and this amount is much higher in therapists that specialize in trauma, which is occurring all around us. Take the time that you need for yourself.
Your mental, physical, and spiritual health depend on you. Be realistic with the amount of work that you can do and work on combat burnout as a therapist daily. Just because you are a mental health therapist, does not mean that you do not need a therapist yourself. If you are struggling with burnout, reach out to another therapist for help. Know that you are doing your very best in such trying times!
