How to Prevent Burnout

Due to the increase in mental health disorders and demand for mental health services, therapists are reaching a new level of burnout. Read more to prevent burnout and increase your self-care.

Burnout among therapists is at an all time high as the demand for therapy continues to rise due to increasing numbers in depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders based on a survey done by the American Psychological Association. According to the APA survey, psychologists reported increased workload, increased waitlists, and low capacity to take on new clients mainly due to how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted mental health services.

You might be one of these therapists experiencing burnout from the mental health crisis from a global pandemic. We all knew that we had to simultaneously go through a collective trauma and hold space for clients and hear their stories as well. But one thing I learned, and I am practicing is the importance of boundaries and self-care. Boundaries and self-care are topics that are mentioned in grad school, but to practice them is a different story. It took most of my career to actually learn how to take care of myself as a therapist.

Know Your Limits

It’s important to know how much you can take on. This is a learning experience, a process and can also ebb and flow. Do you know how many clients to take on as your max? It’s the number where you feel like you can stay present in session with each client, and not feel like you are dragging through the session, desperately trying to listen and have a “smart” thing to say. Also know when to call it quits. If you are at the place of struggling through sessions, then it's probably a sign to take the day off.

Say No

This is a tough one as a therapist because we want to help literally everyone. But practicing saying no is essential to prevent burnout. If you are at your max caseload number and are still getting calls or emails for referrals, you are allowed to turn down clients or refer them to someone else.

Eat Lunch

This seems like a no-brainer, but many of us don’t eat during the day or how we tend to just scarf down snacks in between sessions, or eat while working. Food is a basic need people, and to take a break and sit to eat is the ultimate self-care act.

Take Breaks

Taking breaks is essential. Even if it’s just a short walk or stepping outside to get fresh air in between sessions. Getting up to stretch, listening to some music, making a phone call to a friend, or taking a coffee break.

Go To Your Own Therapy

This is such an important step of self-care as a therapist. Your mental health is also important. Being a therapist is one of the only jobs where you have to constantly work on yourself while simultaneously working with others. Many things come up as a therapist working with clients, our own triggers, our own traumas, and our own feelings. It’s important to have a place to bring and process them.

Stay Connected to Other Therapists

Consulting is important, but sometimes you just need a friend who is also a therapist to vent to about a difficult session. It’s important to have a therapist friend for additional support and can understand the struggle. Just knowing you aren’t alone and someone else gets it, can be so helpful.

Do Fun Things

On your days off, try to have fun. Partake in hobbies, sports, art, crafts, games, friends and whatever is your fancy. As therapists we always encourage self-care for our clients, yet we sometimes fall short in giving ourselves just that. After all, you deserve self-care also!