I Am A Psychotherapist In Training. Can You Suggest Ways I Might Avoid Burn Out?
Question: I am a psychotherapist in training. Can you suggest ways I might avoid burn out? Thanks, Ari
Answer (1) Ari, self-care is a crucial part of work with clients. We can only hope to go on assisting others in their journeys if we process the feelings, fears, uncertainties our clients arouse in us. Professional supervision to allow proper debriefing and to add to your own resources when dealing with your clients would be a useful start. You will find that a number of practitioners listed with the Good Therapy site provide clinical supervision. The institution where you train could reasonably be expected to assist you, too.
Answer provided by John Hunter, Counsellor
Answer (2) During training, it's very important to have your own personal psychotherapy. In fact, it's mandatory in some disciplines! This serves two main purposes. First it's to help and support you in working through your own blind spots, personal limitations and neuroses (God knows we all have them). This is done not only for your own benefit but also so that they don't unwittingly contaminate the work with your patients. Secondly, it's to give you the experience of the process from the patient's perspective and so better enable you to empathise with their position. Though all the reading, studying, case work and supervision etc inherent in training can be challenging and at times stressful, it is very important you look after your physical and emotional health and ensure adequate breaks from the pressure. Don't become socially isolated and distract yourself when you can, with activities and interests that have nothing to do with psychotherapy. I've managed the job for 35 years and remained relatively sane by following these guidelines.
Answer provided by David White, Psychotherapist
Answer (3) Dear Ari, burn out is a syndrome which includes emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, isolation, reduced personal accomplishment, inattention and doubt. It probably accounts for the intentions of nearly 50% of some health workers to leave the field with the aim of never returning. It is a bigger risk at the outset of your career when risk management procedures are yet to establish as habits. That takes time with trial and error learning to be kind to yourself. I found this page on balancing a full life with the hazards that lead to burnout is one of the best on the web. With due care and attention to the matters raised, burn out need never occur.
Answer provided by Peter Fox, Clinical Psychologist
