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

Burnout is something almost every profession deals with, but for therapists, it hits differently. We’re not just exhausted from the long hours or the endless paperwork—it’s the emotional weight of holding space for others, the vicarious trauma we take on, and the unrelenting pressure to be “okay” so we can keep helping our clients. In today’s episode, I dive into why burnout for therapists has its own unique layers, and why it often takes us much longer to admit we need help. I’ll share some of my personal struggles with burnout, how I got trapped in a cycle of overwork, and what finally made me realize I needed to make a big change. Key Takeaways: Caseload & Case Mix: It’s not just the number of clients, but the emotional toll of each case. Regularly auditing your caseload can help manage triggers and reduce stress. The Payment Dilemma: Relying solely on client sessions for income adds pressure to maintain a full schedule. Diversifying revenue can ease this burden and reduce burnout. Fear of Losing Your License: Ethical pressures and people-pleasing often cloud treatment decisions. Focusing on therapeutic outcomes instead of trying to keep everyone happy is key. The Expectation to Be Superhuman: The pressure to seem emotionally resilient can be overwhelming. Setting boundaries and embracing vulnerability is essential for long-term sustainability. Emotional Labor & Compassion Fatigue: Holding space for clients’ trauma can be exhausting. Understanding the nuances between burnout and compassion fatigue is important for healing. Moral Injury: Dealing with systemic injustices can lead to moral injury, further deepening burnout. Burnout Before the Profession: Burnout can start as early as graduate school, with heavy workloads and financial stress. Robust support systems are critical for students entering the field. Get Support: * Coaching for Therapists: Jennifer discusses her coaching services aimed at helping therapists navigate burnout, offering strategies like pausing, creating a 90-day game plan, and providing ongoing support. https://drjenblanchette.com/love-it-or-leave-it-coaching/ [https://drjenblanchette.com/love-it-or-leave-it-coaching/] Resources Mentioned: * Episode #38: Conversation with Kate Donovan, host of Fried: The Burnout Podcast.https://drjenblanchette.com/podcast/038-escaping-burnout-with-cait-donovan-the-host-of-fried/ [https://drjenblanchette.com/podcast/038-escaping-burnout-with-cait-donovan-the-host-of-fried/] * LinkedIn Poll Insights: Featuring quotes from Michael Rose, Colin Albrow, Tamara Hubbard, and Brittney Lindsay. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drjenblanchette_therapists-and-mental-health-professionals-activity-7240405419452436480-UE6X?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drjenblanchette_therapists-and-mental-health-professionals-activity-7240405419452436480-UE6X?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop] * Compassion Fatigue Literature: Definitions and distinctions between burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious traumatization. http://www.figleyinstitute.com/documents/Workbook_AMEDD_SanAntonio_2012July20_RevAugust2013.pdf [http://www.figleyinstitute.com/documents/Workbook_AMEDD_SanAntonio_2012July20_RevAugust2013.pdf] * National Center for PTSD: Information on moral injury and its implications beyond the military context. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/cooccurring/moral_injury.asp [https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/cooccurring/moral_injury.asp]

Let's go back in the way back machine. Jen Blanchette reflects on their career journey as a psychologist, sharing insights on what they would do differently if given a second chance. Discussing their transition from private practice to school psychology, the conversation touches on the importance of setting boundaries, managing emotions, and navigating the challenges of therapist burnout. The host also previews upcoming podcast topics, including the unique aspects of therapist burnout and the impact of election cycles on therapy sessions.

Have we really talked about the impact of the pandemic on therapists? I don't think so! Emily Irwin shares her burnout story, which includes experiences in the school system and private practice. She discusses the challenges of working in a dual role as a school psychologist and counselor, the impact of stress on her mental and physical health, and the decision to leave the school district and open a private practice. She also talks about the additional challenges and burnout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the pressure to fix clients, and the fear and restrictions imposed by the profession. Emily also explores the concept of masking and the toll it takes on neurodiverse individuals, as well as the importance of showing up as our true selves in therapy. The conversation explores the idea of healing in community settings and challenges the traditional one-on-one therapy model. It discusses the impact of the mental health industrial complex and the need for systemic changes in the field. The conversation also touches on burnout in private practice and the search for joy and meaning in life. The concept of play and its role in healing and regulating the nervous system is highlighted. Takeaways * Working in a dual role in the school system can lead to burnout due to the high workload and diverse responsibilities. * The COVID-19 pandemic has added additional challenges and stress to the field of therapy, including the shift to virtual sessions and ethical considerations. * The pressure to fix clients and the fear instilled by ethics training can contribute to therapist burnout. * Masking, or hiding one's true self to be socially accepted, is common among neurodiverse individuals and can contribute to burnout. * It is important for therapists to show up as their authentic selves in therapy and create a space where clients can do the same. Healing in community settings has been a traditional approach in many cultures, and there is a need to explore alternative therapeutic models that prioritize collective healing. * The mental health field is influenced by the mental health industrial complex, which treats mental health as a commodity and often fails to prioritize the well-being of therapists and clients. * Burnout in private practice can be addressed by setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and exploring alternative ways of practicing therapy. * Finding joy and meaning in life involves adding activities and experiences that bring joy and regulating the nervous system, rather than focusing on restrictions and limitations. * Play is an essential aspect of human well-being and can contribute to healing and regulating the nervous system. More From Emily: https://www.emilyirwin.com/about More From Jen: www.drjenblanchette.com [www.drjenblanchette.com] Are you a therapist who's ready to quit? I've got you. Let's talk on a free 15 minute consult call: https://drjb.hbportal.co/schedule/6160e28b5e574330da01b03d [https://drjb.hbportal.co/schedule/6160e28b5e574330da01b03d]

Have you felt so alone in your burnout that you feel like you literally have nothing to give this world? In this conversation, Dr. Jen Blanchette interviews Cait Donovan, host of the Fried, the Burnout Podcast, about her personal experience with burnout and the importance of addressing both the mental and physical aspects of burnout recovery. They discuss the similarities between therapists and acupuncturists in terms of work dynamics and the impact of burnout on their health. Kate shares her journey of discovering burnout and the self-judgment she experienced as a practitioner of stress management techniques. They also explore the role of self-neglect and the need for self-care practices that go beyond face value in burnout recovery. The conversation highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to burnout, including therapy, coaching, and physical practices like yoga or acupuncture. They emphasize the need for therapists to be gentle with themselves and prioritize their own well-being. The conversation explores the importance of nature and movement in combating burnout. Walking in green spaces, being among trees, and getting sunlight can have significant benefits for mental and physical well-being. The definition of burnout is often limited to workplace stress, but it can also be caused by cultural, family, health, and environmental factors. Takeaways * Burnout is not just a mental issue, but also affects the entire physical body. * Burnout prevention is stress management, but it may not be enough for those already in burnout. * Therapists and acupuncturists often have a higher tendency to have experienced trauma, which can impact their ability to notice and respond to stress. * Engaging in self-care practices, such as movement exercises like Tai Chi or Qigong, can help emotions move through the body and aid in burnout recovery. * A multidisciplinary approach, including therapy, coaching, and physical practices, is crucial for addressing burnout. Walking in nature and being among trees can have significant benefits for mental and physical well-being. * Burnout is not limited to workplace stress and can be caused by cultural, family, health, and environmental factors. * Therapists may be susceptible to burnout due to their high ACEs scores and the nature of their work. Sound Bites "If you just pee when you need to pee for a few weeks, your life will be different, because your brain will be different." "Your ability to learn what your body feels like at safety is a key element to your ability to recover." "Engaging in something like Tai Chi or Qigong allows emotions to move through the physical form." "Just knowing like walking can be one of those simple tools, gentle walking, know, in somewhere green." "When you are walking amongst trees, not only are you having this, this, you know, carbon dioxide oxygen exchange, but you're also the sunlight when it reflects off bark turns into infrared light." "There's no money made off walking or a tree, you know, like, you're not going to see an advertisement walking the new cure for everything. Trees, touch them. Not really going to happen." More from Cait: https://www.caitdonovan.com/ [https://www.caitdonovan.com/] https://www.friedtheburnoutpodcast.com/ [https://www.friedtheburnoutpodcast.com/] More from Jen: The therapist burnout newsletter (the pen-pal list): https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb [https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb] www.drjenblanchette.com [www.drjenblanchette.com]

How can we ever truly balance the weight of this work? That's the question I seek to answer in this episode. In this conversation, Dr. Jen Blanchette discusses the myth of work-life balance and offers a different perspective on how to think about it. She shares four reasons why work-life balance is a myth and emphasizes the importance of counterbalance instead. Dr. Blanchette talks about the different seasons in life and how they require different levels of attention and focus. She also addresses the challenges of being constantly connected through smartphones and social media, and provides strategies for setting boundaries and managing time. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for self-care, breaks, and support in order to maintain a healthy work-life integration. Takeaways * Work-life balance is a myth, and it's normal for our lives to be out of balance at different points in time. * Counterbalance is a more realistic and helpful concept to strive for, considering the different seasons and demands in our lives. * Setting boundaries and managing time are essential for maintaining a healthy work-life integration. * The influence of smartphones and social media makes it harder to achieve a sense of equilibrium, but establishing non-negotiables and guardrails can help. * Self-care is important, but it cannot fix burnout or depletion. It requires constant care and attention to restore ourselves. * Taking breaks and having time for ourselves is crucial, and we deserve it. Let's Connect: The List: The Therapist Burnout Newsletter- I write back: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb [https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb] Before you Quit Consult Call: https://drjb.hbportal.co/schedule/6160e28b5e574330da01b03d [https://drjb.hbportal.co/schedule/6160e28b5e574330da01b03d]