How I Knew I Was Experiencing Burnout

When I’m burnt out I find it almost impossible to do the face to face therapy part of my job effectively.

I can do just about anything when I’m overwhelmed, except therapy. It’s like there’s no more space for what the other person is feeling. I feel full, unable to take on anything else. My body almost rejects the emotion.

Burnout was a gift that led me to private practice.

I was so burnt out before I went into private practice. I could see it coming out in my work and personal life. I was irritable and unmotivated. I used everything I had left in me with my clients and there was absolutely nothing left when I got home.

After feeling like this for a while, I knew I had to make a change. I had to get out of agency work and start my own business.

I work more now than I did before. But I am fulfilled. I do things on my terms. I can take breaks when I want and see the clients I want.

Burnout has become way less of a threat and I’m able to serve my clients effectively.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and like your empathy muscle is totally out of commission, I hear you and I know how you feel.

We’re here when you’re ready to be a clinician on your own terms.

I’ve learned to protect my energy aggressively. I know that I have to take breaks, say no, and set boundaries.

I learned that burnout is not a failure. It’s not a competition to see who can take on the most and handle the most challenging cases. We all have different levels of what we can handle. Various situations and populations impact us differently.

As therapists and health care professionals, we have to protect ourselves from burnout. It’s our duty to bring our best selves into the room with our clients and patients. We have to be able to recognize when we’ve pushed ourselves too far.