How to Overcome Burnout as a Psychologist, Therapist, or Counselor

Have you ever wondered how to respond when someone asks, "How are you doing?" 

We often find ourselves answering with a smile and a generic "I'm fine" or "I'm good," even when we're not. But let's be honest, if it's a close friend or partner asking, would you admit to feeling tired or stressed?

As professionals in the field of therapy, it's common for us to feel tired, stressed, and overworked. 

Research has shown that burnout affects a significant percentage of mental health professionals. Estimates range from 21% to 61%, and even higher during the pandemic. The numbers have since decreased to 45% in 2022. However, burnout continues to be a challenge in our profession.

The problem for me was that my burnout was becoming chronic. When I'm burned out, it deeply impacts my well-being. It's ironic that in a field dedicated to supporting others, I have found myself failing to focus on myself. 

As therapists, we can become so engrossed in helping our clients find strength and peace. Have you ever neglected your own self-care and work-life balance as a therapist?

Fortunately, chronic burnout isn’t insurmountable. There are numerous strategies to overcome it, some which I use to this day for myself. You may already be familiar with many of these and recommend to your own clients.

Here are a few valuable tips for therapist burnout, from my experience as a Psychologist. We’ll have you overcoming chronic burnout in no time.

How Do I Know if I’m Experiencing Chronic Burnout as a Therapist?

Before I get into how to overcome burnout, let's identify the signs and symptoms. 

Take a moment of introspection and ask yourself if you often feel empty, lost, and unmotivated. Do you struggle to balance your responsibilities? Are you searching for ways to reignite your passion and energy? 

If you resonate with any of these feelings, you might be experiencing chronic burnout. 

There are common signs of burnout in mental health professionals to be aware of. Though, keep in mind that it can manifest differently for each person. 

Here are some signs you may already be burning the candle at both ends:

• Emotional exhaustion: You feel emotionally drained and depleted. You're lacking the energy to cope with everyday challenges.
• Depersonalization or cynicism: Negative or cynical attitudes towards clients, colleagues, or the profession. 
• Reduced personal accomplishment: You experience a decreased sense of personal achievement. You feel incompetence in your work or personal pursuits.
• Physical and mental fatigue: Persistent physical fatigue, low energy, and difficulty with concentrating and memory.
• Decreased job satisfaction: You feel a significant decline in satisfaction and fulfillment derived from your work.
• Increased irritability and impatience: Uncharacteristic irritability, impatience, or a short temper start to surface.
• Withdrawal and isolation: You find yourself withdrawing from socializing with colleagues. Feeling disconnected even when in the company of others.
• Increased absenteeism and procrastination: Frequent absences from work. Difficulty initiating and completing tasks become noticeable.
• Decreased self-care: Neglecting self-care routines, hobbies, or activities that were once enjoyed.
• Poor mental and physical health: Manifestations like GI problems, high blood pressure, insomnia, and concentration issues. A weakened immune system become clear.
• Mismanaged work-life balance as a therapist: Work-related stress spills over into your personal life. Your relationships feel strained and disrupt work-life balance. 

Find Relief with our Top Tips for Therapist Burnout

Just because one method of overcoming burnout worked for me, doesn't mean it will work for you. Managing or preventing burnout can be different for each person. The signs of burnout in each of us can vary. So, what works for one therapist or psychologist might not be as effective for another. 

You can identify and adopt strategies that suit your individual needs. They can also be adapted as necessary in ways that will be beneficial to you in the long run. It might involve a little bit of trial and error to find what works best for you.

There's no harm in implementing as many of the following tips as possible. The more we can lighten our load and make our jobs easier, the less stressed and burned out we're likely to feel. So, let's explore these strategies and embrace them in our quest for a healthier and more fulfilling professional life.

How To Recover From Burnout By Using Technology to Your Advantage 

Imagine leaving the office at the end of the day. How often do you leave without the lingering burden of admin tasks and paperwork?

Practice management apps and software can be valuable tools for psychologists and therapists. This is especially true for those running private practices. By leveraging automation, you can save time, reduce stress, and beat burnout. 

There are many apps available. now. The Clarity Cooperative has a Practice Toolbox, designed to simplify your practice operations.

Here are a few of our fantastic tools. They. have been tested and proven effective by fellow mental health practitioners:

• Progress Notes Generator: Simplify your patient progress documentation with customizable templates, reducing guesswork and saving you valuable time.
• Good Faith Estimates Calculator: Increase transparency in pricing and avoid surprises that could disrupt your practice or lead to compliance issues with the No Surprises Act.
• Expense Tracker and Calculator: Gain greater clarity on your cash flow, ensuring you're well-prepared for tax season and eliminating the stress of disorganized expenses.
• Out-of-Network Insurance Calculator: Navigate the complexities of out-of-network benefits with ease, ensuring you have a clear understanding and making the reimbursement process less stressful.
• Private Practice Fee Calculator: Expand your services to more people in need without compromising your worth or feeling underpaid.

As therapists ourselves, we created these tools based on our own experiences. We believe they are invaluable in helping fellow therapists thrive in their practices.

Self-Care Practices to Beat Chronic Burnout as A Therapist

Taking care of ourselves is non-negotiable, especially since we're in the helping profession. Self-care activities include exercise, meditation, pursuing hobbies, and spending time with loved ones. These should be done on a regular basis. Self-care can work wonders in recharging our batteries and reducing stress levels. It's not a luxury; it's an absolute necessity.

Let’s start by making a commitment to focus on self-care and make time for ourselves. Everyone's self-care routine can be different, and that's okay. You can fit in daily exercise or find moments of tranquility through meditation. You can also indulge in hobbies that bring you joy, it's all about finding what works best for you.

How To Recover From Burnout By Practicing Mindfulness and Self-Reflection

Incorporating mindfulness techniques into our daily routines can help us stay present. As a result it can help us reduce anxiety, and cultivate self-awareness. Not only that, it promotes mental well-being. 

Mindfulness isn’t just a buzzword. It's a scientifically proven method for improving positivity and overall sense of wellness. 

Don't hesitate to explore various mindfulness practices. A great start is meditation or a self-reflection journal. You can even taking contemplative walks or practice yoga. If you're not already int therapy, you can consider this to deepen your self-awareness. Embracing mindfulness can transform our lives for the better. 

Find Work-Life Balance as A Therapist by Setting Boundaries

One of the main issues I had starting out was my own personal boundaries. Establishing clear boundaries with clients is an absolute necessity. This is one of the ways to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Think of boundaries as a safety net for our wellness – they protect and support us.

Boundaries are an issue that many people struggle with. It's not an issue specific to mental health professionals. Many of us are now working from home with the rise of technology and popularity of telehealth. When the work and personal space becomes blended into one, it can be challenging to separate the two.

Even if you do work from home, you can find balance. You can make a conscious effort to separate work hours from personl time. One way to establish this bouncary is by setting specific time limits on your working hours. You could also keep your work to a dedicated space. 

In addition, avoid overbooking yourself. Embrace the concept of enjoying your weekends and time off whenever you need it. You deserve to recharge and enjoy your life outside of work too. 

Seek Supervision and Consultation to Gain More Tips for Therapist Burnout

You can seek regular supervision, or even a consultation with an experience professional. They can be a great source of support for therapists and psychologists. It's like having a superhero support system by your side. 

If you're able to check-in with someone more experience than you, this is an invaluable opportunity. You can find guidance, support, and a safe space to process any challenges. The challenges can be with client cases or personal struggles. A supportive mentor by your side can help you and ensure your own mental well-being. 

Balancing Caseload By Implementing Burnout Strategies for Therapists

Maintaining a balanced caseload can help in preventing overwhelming stress and exhaustion. Take a look at your caseload and make sure it's manageable and sustainable. Think about the number o

f clients you take on, and how complex each case is. Also, prioritize your own mental health and personal time. 

Just because there's an empty slot on your calendar, doesn't mean it has to be filled. Sometimes you might find it more helpful to have a break and decompress. Little moments you take to recharge like this can help you prevent burnout. 

When finding the right balance, be sure to practice self-compassion. Treat yourself with kindness, understanding, and acceptance. Recognize that although you have a strong desire to help, you also have limitations. Embracing self-compassion allows you to set healthy boundaries. You are allowed to prioritize yourself while providing quality care to your clients

Developing a Support Network Helps Maintain Work-Life Balance as A Therapist

In our profession, we emphasize the value of building a supportive network. Knowing that you're not alone can be incredibly empowering. This might be the push you need to overcome chronic burnout and face the challenges of our work.

Having a group of like-minded colleagues provides a sense of community and belonging. It offers a space where we can share experiences, seek advice, and find the emotional support we all need. You might have partners, friends or loved ones that you can confide in. But having someone in our field that has experienced similar situations is important. Being understood gives you a different level of support.

A robust support network can also contribute to establishing better workplace practices. Your colleagues can offer insights on how to do things better. They might help you improve your workflow or communicate better with your team. You might even find new opportunities for professional development. This support system ensures that you don't feel left behind or lacking in your field of work.

You can also work towards creating a work environment that is positive that addresses challenges. This sets a foundation for success and helps reduce burnout. Together, we can uplift one another and build a stronger professional community. 

The Bottom Line

Clarity Cooperative is a quick and easy way to join a supportive community of mental health practitioners. We also offer a wealth of resources to help you become the best version of yourself as a private practice therapist. 

Sign up for our Pro subscription with a risk-free 30 day trial today and experience everything our community has to offer.