Banishing Therapist Burnout: Reclaim Your Lost Energy

Feeling endlessly exhausted despite getting enough sleep?

You're not alone. In 2021, 46% of psychologists reported experiencing burnout. When you're giving your all to clients, there might be little left for yourself. Recognizing the signs of burnout is crucial for your well-being at work and in your personal life.

Let's explore what burnout entails and discover steps to embark on the path to recovery.

What Is Burnout?

Burnout happens when your body and mind bear the weight of prolonged job strain. Its impact extends beyond your emotions, affecting your mental well-being and physical health.

According to the ICD-11, burnout is a syndrome arising from chronic stress mismanagement, often fueled by external factors like a dysfunctional workplace.

Recognizing its severity, even the World Health Organization (WHO) officially acknowledges burnout, dispelling any notion that it is merely an excuse to skip work.

Burnout for Therapists

Burnout manifests uniquely in therapists and mental health professionals. Alongside common symptoms, specific signs include:

• Emotional exhaustion and apathy
• Decreased passion for work and helping others
• Cynicism towards clients and their issues
• Heightened anxiety

Being a licensed therapist is a fulfilling yet demanding profession. You have chosen this path to actively contribute to the well-being of others, but this dedication can create immense pressure. The expectation to give your all to clients can deplete your spirit and drain your energy reserves.

These responsibilities understandably take a toll. Even Mother Teresa herself did not possess an endless reservoir of energy, compassion, empathy, and patience. Acting otherwise could eventually lead to a breaking point.

Reasons That Therapists Burn Out

1. Excessive Focus on Clients

When an exclusive dedication to assisting clients leads to neglecting personal needs, it can eventually deplete your well-being. In this mindset, it's easy to forget that you have obligations and desires beyond work. What purpose does it serve to help others if you cannot savor your own time off?

2. Excessive Work Hours

The desire to maintain a certain cash flow can make it difficult to resist working long hours. While accepting more clients may boost financial growth, there is a risk of overwhelming yourself. It's akin to sprinting at full speed – eventually, you'll need to hit the brakes or exhaust your energy.

3. Diffuse Boundaries

Let’s say you’ve decided to only respond to clients during business hours, but someone sends you an email late at night. If you respond, they may start to think that you’re actually available and begin to expect responses to late contact in the future.

Similarly, let's say you don't hold clients accountable when they miss sessions or payments. While benign at first, these types of boundary issues can result in imbalance and resentment.

4. Lack of Control

Despite your best efforts to assist a client in reaching their fullest potential, there are instances where it falls short. As the therapist, you lack control over what the client does outside of the therapy session, regardless of how successful the session may be. This can lead to frustration and serve as a distinct source of burnout for therapists.

Recognizing that the client's healing and journey are ultimately their own, regardless of the guidance provided, can be a struggle for therapists.

5. Lack of Appreciation

It can be hard to find the motivation to keep going when your efforts feel unappreciated. Clients might come in and not have any respect or recognition for how hard you’re working to help them and this can cause bitterness that makes you feel jaded.

6. Administrative and Systemic Issues

As a therapist, your main responsibility is to engage in therapeutic conversations with your clients. However, if you're a private practice therapist, you also assume the role of a business owner. If administrative tasks and addressing systemic issues are not your strong points, there is a risk of procrastinating these duties until they accumulate into an overwhelming burden. This commonly occurs when you feel fatigued from grappling with the complexities of managing your business.

The Path From Burnout to Balanced

You may find yourself feeling stuck, longing to regain the compassionate, friendly, and joyful therapist you once were at the start of your career. There is no quick fix for this, but taking proactive steps to regain control and restore balance is essential.

By now, we have emphasized the importance of recognizing the causes of burnout. It’s important to assess what specifically contributes to your chronic state of unhappiness. This self-reflection will facilitate the necessary changes that will lead to your fulfillment.

Tips to Recover from Burnout

Recovering from burnout involves practicing self-care, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Here are some concise tips:

1. Cultivate Healthy Habits: Establish a nourishing routine that includes exercise, balanced meals, and sufficient sleep to reduce stress and support your well-being.
2. Set Boundaries: Create clear boundaries between your personal and professional life by leaving work at the office, defining working hours, and communicating availability to clients during standard business hours. Embrace your time off and avoid checking email.
3. Seek Support: Connect with others who have experienced similar challenges, such as supervisors, colleagues, mentors, or a therapist, to alleviate feelings of isolation and gain valuable insights.
4. Take Breaks: Schedule longer breaks between back-to-back sessions to ensure adequate recovery. Avoid skipping meals, as it can contribute to physical stress. Don't feel obligated to work continuously like others; prioritize your well-being.
5. Pursue Personal Interests: Engage in activities you enjoy, whether it's crafting, reading, listening to music, or exploring thrilling adventures. Finding joy in life enhances your overall work satisfaction.

Self-Affirmation for Healing Burnout

As we traverse the landscape of the human heart, therapists are tirelessly committed to helping others, yet often forget to nourish their own spirit. In these testing times, it is essential for us to remind ourselves, to take a step back and glance at the mirror, to ask ourselves, "Am I taking care of my heart, the way I take care of others?"

I offer you a self-affirmation that emphasizes the power of our inner light.

Today, I affirm that my strength lies not just in supporting others, but in cherishing myself too.

I acknowledge my feelings of exhaustion, not as a sign of weakness, but as a call to return home, to the sanctuary of my spirit.

I trust in my ability to set clear, healthy boundaries, affirming my right to space and time for self-nourishment and rejuvenation.

I am a vessel of compassion and wisdom, but I am not the sole architect of my clients' journey. I embrace my role as a guide and relinquish the weight of outcomes beyond my control.

I affirm my commitment to nurturing my mental, emotional, and physical health, realizing that my wellness is a cornerstone of my ability to serve others effectively.

I remember to appreciate myself, to honor the work I do, and to find joy in the privileges of my profession.

I celebrate my progress, and forgive myself for the moments of burnout. I am on a journey, and every step, forward or backward, brings me closer to balance and understanding.

I am not defined by the urgency of my work but by the love and resilience that I embody. I am more than my profession. I am a beacon of light, compassion, and strength.

Let us remember, in the midst of the storms we navigate for others, we too are deserving of a safe harbor. Today, let's take a moment to anchor ourselves in the strength of our spirit and the grace of our resilience.

Through burnout and beyond, let's honor ourselves as we honor others, walking the path of compassion, not just for the world, but also for ourselves. Remember, you are not just a therapist; you are a human being deserving of care, joy, rest, and love. Be gentle with yourself, and let your inner light guide your way towards balance.

To find a therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.