We understand that a lot of people are under a lot of stress and fatigue with having to work through the pandemic. Possibly, from having to work in general. As a mental health counselor, your job is to take care of others but are you make sure to take care of yourself as well?
What is Burnout?
Burnout in the workplace is emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and lack of the ability to recognize self accomplishments.
What causes burnout?
Burnout is caused by a combination of a number of factors but here are some of the main ones:
- Work
- Overall work setting
- Type of client, regression in client, lack of progress with client
- Time constraints, being on call, pressure, overwhelming administrative tasks
- Any constant negative or stressful experience at work
- Home
- Family, health, financial, relationship, mental health, substance abuse, and related issues
How to avoid/treat burnout
- Take regularly scheduled breaks.
- Take vacations periodically and do NOT bring work with me.
- Have friends, hobbies, and interests unrelated to work.
- Exercise regularly
- Limit your work hours and caseload
- Participate in peer support
- Attend to your religious and spiritual side.
- Regularly participate in relaxing activities (e.g., meditation, yoga, reading, music).
- Regularly participate in activities that you enjoy and look forward to.
Although burnout affects people in most professions, if you or someone you love is a mental health counselor, give them a little extra care today, they need it too.
Nothing in this blog post is legal advice or establishes the attorney-client relationship. This is for informational purposes only. If you’d like to learn more about professional licensing issues in North Carolina check out our site at www.northstatelawfirm.com or our YouTube site here. 919-521-8810 is the direct line to North State Law.
Source: Society for the advancement of psychotherapy
Written by BréLeigh Stragand, Marketing Assistant