Therapist Burnout Podcast: Mental Health, Business, and Career Tips for Therapists, Counselors, & Psychologists

🎄 Finding Rest in the Holiday Hustle: * Why December can feel like both a magical and overwhelming season. * Jen's personal strategy for embracing rest during the holidays (spoiler: leftover Christmas dinner and lots of nothing!). * The importance of communicating your needs and planning ahead to avoid burnout during festive chaos. 🛑 Rest as a Priority (Not a Luxury): * What it means to be an "expert in rest" and why it’s a goal worth striving for. * Breaking the cycle of constant push: Jen’s candid reflection on working through the weekend and her plan to make rest intentional. * Rethinking support: Hiring help at home or in your practice to lighten the load. ✨ Energy Audits and Letting Go: * Identifying your most depleting tasks or client sessions. * How to evaluate your caseload and make ethical, compassionate discharges when needed. * The emotional and professional benefits of “letting go” when it’s time. 🌿 Making Space to Be Human: * Strategies to build in more space for boredom, play, and joy in your week. * Why Jen values activities like tennis, fitness instruction, and even the possibility of learning drums! * The power of recognizing when schedules or habits no longer serve you—and making changes to reclaim time for yourself. ❄️ Leaning Into Winter: * How to embrace the coziness of the season, even if you’re not a fan of the cold. * Exploring the beauty of winter routines like sunrises, snowfall, and the Scandinavian art of making the most of long nights. 💡 Practical Takeaways: 1. Be an Expert on Rest: Give yourself permission to stop and re-evaluate what’s depleting you. 2. Audit Your Energy: Identify what’s draining your time and energy—and let it go. 3. Create Space for Joy: Make room in your life for human moments, hobbies, and fun. Free Resource for You: Feeling overwhelmed and unsure what needs to change? Grab my free guide on burnout and depletion [https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenblanchette] to pinpoint what’s holding you back and map out your next steps.

In this episode, host Dr. Jen Blanchette takes you behind the scenes of her podcast journey, including a technical hiccup that led her to re-record this episode. But the silver lining? It gave her a chance to dive deeper into the topic of fear—specifically, how fear holds therapists back from making necessary changes in their careers and lives. Jen shares her own story of hitting peak burnout in 2021, navigating the challenges of balancing parenting, a private practice, and the financial frustrations of dealing with insurance panels. She discusses the two biggest fears therapists face when contemplating change: 1. The Fear of No Options * When burnout hits, it can feel like there’s no way out. Jen reflects on her journey of discovering options beyond one-on-one therapy and encourages listeners to explore alternatives they may not have considered. * She also revisits episodes from her career series (episodes 25-28), offering a roadmap for therapists wondering what’s next. 2. The Fear of Letting People Down * From closing practices to discharging clients, the fear of disappointing or harming clients can be paralyzing. Jen normalizes these feelings and offers insights on navigating these transitions ethically and compassionately. Throughout the episode, Jen highlights the importance of giving yourself permission to rest, recognizing your limits, and trusting that change doesn’t mean failure—it’s a step toward sustainability. Key Takeaways: * Burnout isn’t a personal failing; it’s often a sign that your current circumstances are unsustainable. * Fear is natural, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. With reflection and support, you can find new paths that align with your needs. * Rest and recovery aren’t just privileges—they’re essential for your longevity as a therapist. Resources Mentioned: * Career-focused episodes: * Episode 25: The Passion Paradox in Therapist Careers * Episode 26: What Other Jobs Could Therapists Do Besides Therapy? * Episode 27: Why Therapists Fantasize About Working at Target * Episode 28: Three Steps to Pivot Your Career Away from One-to-One Therapy * Episode 35: Unspoken Endings—Navigating Unilateral Terminations Let’s Connect: * Find me on LinkedIn: Dr. Jen Blanchette [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjenblanchette/] * Ready to explore your options? Check out my coaching offerings for therapists navigating burnout and career change. www.drjenblanchette.com [https://drjenblanchette.com/love-it-or-leave-it-coaching/] Final Reflection: Fear often shows up when we’re on the brink of transformation. If you’ve been feeling stuck or scared to make a change, know that you’re not alone. You have options, and your next step doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be yours.

Burnout can make everything feel impossible. Decisions become overwhelming, and the stories we tell ourselves—especially the ones rooted in fear and self-doubt—only make it harder. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lisa Herbert, a coach and leader who helps women in healthcare reclaim their confidence and balance their careers with purpose. Together, we dive into how burnout impacts our sense of self and how to rebuild trust in our intuition when it feels like we’ve lost our way. Dr. Lisa shares her journey through burnout and self-doubt, offering insight into why so many high-achieving women feel stuck when it's time for a change. We explore the pivotal moments that helped us pivot and the practical strategies anyone can use to take the next best step forward. Whether you’re in the thick of burnout or wondering if it’s time for a major pivot, this episode will help you recognize your resilience and take the first step forward. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * How burnout mimics depression and impacts decision-making. * The stories burnout tells us—and why they aren’t true. * How to stop overthinking “the right decision” and focus on the best choice for you right now. * Why intuition doesn’t disappear during burnout—it’s just buried. * Practical strategies to rebuild self-trust and take action. * Mentioned in This Episode: * Dr. Lisa’s advice for high-achieving women navigating self-doubt and career pivots. * The advice that shifted my mindset: “Don’t worry about the ‘right’ decision. Make the best decision for you right now.” * How burnout influenced my decision to close my private practice and take a leap in my career. About Dr. Lisa Herbert: Dr. Lisa is a healthcare leader, speaker, and coach who helps women in healthcare balance career success with personal fulfillment. Through her programs, she empowers women to reclaim their confidence and pursue their purpose with clarity and courage. Resources for You: * Connect with Dr. Lisa Herbert [https://www.justtherightbalance.com/] Let’s Connect: * www.drjenblanchette.com * My Pen-Pal List--I write back! [https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb] * If this episode resonated, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it!

Judy Hu, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) turned Boundary Coach. She provides short term, intensive boundary healing and boundary coaching for adults, couples, and groups. Her clinical experience includes two decades of serving as a therapist for adults, children, couples and families; as a supervisor for clinical interns; and as a clinical director at a renowned outpatient clinic. Without being aware of it, Judy’s life was shaped by trying to fit into boxed laid out in front of her–by her immigrant family, by her peers, and by a society based on capitalism, patriarchy, and supremacy thinking. None of those boxes or expectations fit. Trying to mask feelings of being an imposter, she landed at an all time low and finally chose her Self.   In this episode, Judy shares her story of therapist burnout and how she transitioned to becoming a boundary coach. She also discusses the importance of boundary coaching for therapists and clients alike, and offers tips for preventing and healing from burnout. **Key takeaways:** * Set boundaries with your clients, your work, and your personal life. * Take care of yourself physically and emotionally. * Find a supportive community of other therapists or healers. * Seek professional help if needed.   **Boundary coaching and it’s application to helpers:** Boundary coaching can help therapists to: * Set and enforce boundaries with clients, paperwork, and other demands on their time and energy. * Identify and challenge their own limiting beliefs about boundaries. * Develop a self-care routine that is sustainable and effective. * Create a work-life balance that is healthy and fulfilling. **Boundary coaching for clients:** Boundary coaching can help clients to: Identify and understand their own boundaries. * Set and enforce boundaries with others, including family, friends, and coworkers. * *Communicate their needs and expectations clearly. * Say no without guilt or shame. * Protect themselves from emotional and physical harm. More from Judy: https://judyhucounseling.com/ [https://judyhucounseling.com/] More from Jen: www.drjenblanchette.com [http://www.drjenblanchette.com] My freebie: Before you Quit: A guide for therapists  [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64c669fa7e6b513e5bacc64e]

In this reflective and practical episode, Dr. Jen breaks down the holiday chaos therapists face—not just with clients but also within their own families, workloads, and personal lives. She offers simple, actionable steps to create a season that feels spacious, joyful, and manageable. Key Themes in This Episode: * Increased Client Needs & Emotional Labor: Supporting clients through their holiday stress without depleting yourself. * Handling Cancellations: Practical strategies for clear policies and managing gaps in income during the holiday shuffle. * Planning for Financial Dips: Tips to smooth out income fluctuations and plan ahead for slower months. * Personal Holiday Stress: Why adjusting traditions and setting boundaries can help you reclaim joy in the season. * Year-End Admin Burnout: Ways to tackle renewals, insurance headaches, and deductible resets without feeling overwhelmed. * What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 1. Reframing Holiday Stress: * The drama in our minds about December is often a predictable cycle. * Recognizing the patterns (with clients and family) helps reduce overwhelm. 2. Boundaries and Planning: * Map out your holiday season. Where are the breaks? * Be intentional about setting limits with clients and family. 3. The Four Pillars of Brain Health: * Dr. Jen shares her pillars—movement, nutrition, sleep, and connection. * Simple ways to check in with yourself and get back to basics. * Why neglecting these needs during the holidays leads to burnout. 4. Celebrating Joy and Novelty: * Breaking free from the monotony of midlife with small, joyful experiences. * Building simple traditions or moments of joy that anchor the season. Key Quote: "If you feel burned out, stretched thin, or untethered this holiday season, pause and ask: What do I need? Spaciousness? Connection? Rest? When you listen to your body, you’ll find the answer." Reflections on Burnout and Connection: Dr. Jen opens up about how the pandemic disrupted her relationships and the sadness that comes with losing connections. She offers reassurance that rebuilding relationships, even small steps like sending a text, is possible and worth pursuing. Dr. Jen’s Quick Brain Health Checklist for Therapists: * Movement: Aim for joyful movement like walks, yoga, or a tennis match (that's me ya'll). * Nutrition: Focus on adding nourishing foods like berries, leafy greens, and omega-rich choices. * Sleep: Prioritize rest, even if it means adjusting routines or asking for help. * Connection: Reconnect with loved ones, friends, or pets. Relationships are healing. Practical Takeaways: * Schedule mini breaks throughout December to recharge. * Reflect on how you want to feel after the holidays and build habits to get there. * Identify one or two non-negotiable moments of joy or novelty to make the season special. * Resources: * Email Dr. Jen to join her Pen Pal list for updates: info@drjenblanchette.com [info@drjenblanchette.com] * Follow on LinkedIn for more therapist-specific insights: Dr. Jen Blanchette [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jen-blanchette/] * Pen Pal List: Sign up for Dr. Blanchette’s newsletter for podcast updates and exclusive insights. [https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb] Spread the Message: Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a therapist friend or leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Let Dr. Jen know what you need most this holiday season by dropping her a message.