{"id":633,"date":"2022-08-01T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-01T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ravelmentalhealth.com\/blog\/?p=633"},"modified":"2022-08-31T20:38:16","modified_gmt":"2022-08-31T20:38:16","slug":"therapist-burnout-and-compassion-fatigue-symptoms-and-self-care-strategies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ravelmentalhealth.com\/blog\/therapist-burnout-and-compassion-fatigue-symptoms-and-self-care-strategies\/","title":{"rendered":"Therapist Burnout and Compassion Fatigue: Symptoms and Self-Care Strategies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Much like any other job, there is potential for therapists to face burnout. You may feel emotionally drained from helping your clients through their problems, or you may struggle with finding the motivation to keep building your clientele. Either way, letting your tank hit the empty mark can negatively impact your clients as well as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how do you recognize when you\u2019re burnt out, and how can you get back on your feet? It\u2019s time to start walking the talk and putting into practice the advice you\u2019ve given your clients countless times in the past. Here\u2019s an overview of therapist burnout and what you can do to start feeling better and get back to helping your clients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you looking to connect with the right clients? Sign up for Ravel Mental Health and start connecting today!<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Therapist Burnout?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Therapist burnout is unique to people in our profession. It\u2019s typically characterized by an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion<\/a><\/span> and it can present physically, mentally, and emotionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We all work in this field because we love it, but you might find yourself feeling like your brain is not firing on all cylinders, like you\u2019re more stressed than normal, like you\u2019re irritable for no reason, like you\u2019re strangely unempathetic towards your clients, or like nothing you\u2019re doing at work is worthwhile. These feelings can evolve over time or pop up seemingly out of nowhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therapist burnout can pop up at any stage of your career, so it\u2019s important to prioritize self-care. Being able to identify red flags and take a beat to hit the reset button will ensure you feel healthy and happy so you can give the best possible care to each of your clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the three most common presentations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physical Exhaustion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Oversleeping? Constantly craving high-calorie snacks? Can\u2019t get off the couch? Becoming a champion procrastinator? Unable to get existed about things you normally love, such as time with friends or weekend activities? These are all signs that your energy is depleted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mental Exhaustion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re struggling to find the words you need to express yourself, recall information you should know by heart, or solve simple everyday problems, that\u2019s also a key sign of therapist burnout. It might even feel like your brain is broken. This can also come with a decreased sense of accomplishment. For example, you might find it more difficult to stay on top of your appointments or you may find yourself struggling to find meaning in your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emotional Exhaustion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This can present as depersonalization, which is basically a loss of empathy, caring, and compassion. It\u2019s wildly out of character for most of us, because our job requires us to build close connections with people. It can be disconcerting and it\u2019s not unheard of to find yourself wondering, \u201cWhy don\u2019t I care? What\u2019s wrong with me?\u201d Another term you may have heard associated with this is phenomenon is \u201ccompassion fatigue,\u201d because as therapists we tend to take on a lot of the emotional burdens of our clients, and it can simply wear us out over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the reverse can also be true. You might find yourself feeling emotions more intensely than usual, which may include increased stress, anxiety, irritability, crying, and mood swings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the Signs of Therapist Burnout?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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If you\u2019re experiencing burnout, it can be difficult to figure out why you\u2019re struggling. You could attribute your exhaustion to your workload, working for a long period without taking a vacation, or not sleeping a regular amount. Burnout can be difficult to recognize and overcome, so knowing the signs can help you identify the cause and deal with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Burnout and compassion fatigue can look different in everyone, but some of the common symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n