The Burnout Question?

Anne Author

The Burnout Question. As a caring therapy professional the potential for personal burnout needs to be recognised. So, you’re a brilliant therapist ...

Wellbeing as a therapist

So, you’re a brilliant therapist, see lots of lovely clients and help them to resolve all their issues.  

Whether you realise it or not all these issues are now shared with you in some form or another. You’ve felt their pain, seen their emotions and have a deeper insight into their experience than possibly anyone else.

On top of this, is the current problems that Covid 19 has raised, with more and more people  

suffering from various mental health issues.  See WHO article here. Being the brilliant caring professional that you are, you are only too keen to help. 

The potential for your physical and emotional exhaustion is huge. It could be expressed as poor sleep, low energy or simply lack of motivation.

But you are a brilliant therapist and you can see the symptoms. You now have to work through the treatment options. The most obvious solution is to speak with another therapist. Peer support can be hugely helpful. A problem shared is a problem halved. Being a member of a professional body not only provides you with professional updates but can also serve as a supportive community. 

Another straightforward option is to make time for yourself. This is not only therapeutic but something that should be built into your everyday practice. You might think that doing mundane things like emails or ordering stationery is a break from “therapy work” but in reality, all you’ve done is change the chair you are sitting on.

Taking a break needs to be something with no connection to the day job. It could be quality family time, working on a new hobby or simply taking a walk in the fresh air. All making time to clear your head and effectively hit the reset button.

These days “tech” sometimes has the same effect as quicksand, simply sucking you in to the point where you feel there is no escape.

Try to arrange “tech” free time as another way to unwind.

Your work environment is also critical to your wellbeing. Consider how best to adapt your working area to be a calming space. What images or sounds can you add that will allow you to transport yourself to a different place. Allowing you to practice your own mindfulness and relaxation in between client sessions.

You have the knowledge and access to the tools to make sure you are the best version of you. Not only by helping many other people but also yourself. Take time to reflect on where you are, how you are coping and how best to improve your situation. Reflective Journaling can be one way to do this.

In order to do what you do best, (remember you are a brilliant therapist) you need to be at your best. Your health is just as important as your clients.

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Categories: Private Practice, self-employment