Part 3: When and How to Recognize Burnout as a Therapist

Rating Burnout in Mental Health Professionals

When to identify burnout? How to recognize burnout?

There is a lot of information on burnout, which is very important, but we seem to not focus as much on when to identify burnout. Yes, there are symptoms that we can identify, but when is this supposed to happen? How often should we check in? Is this daily, monthly, bi-yearly, or quarterly?

How Often to Assess for Burnout

Regular self-assessments can help therapists stay aware of their emotional and physical well-being. Recommended check-in intervals include:

• Monthly: A brief self-reflection or journaling session to assess stress levels and emotional state.

• Quarterly: A deeper review of workload, boundaries, and self-care habits, possibly with supervision or peer support.

• Biannually: A structured self-assessment using burnout inventories or wellness checklists.

• Annually: A comprehensive evaluation of work-life balance, job satisfaction, and overall mental health, considering adjustments if needed.

How to Assess Burnout

Using structured assessment tools can help therapists gauge their burnout levels effectively. Some recommended measures include:

• Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) – A widely used tool that assesses emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment.

• Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) – Measures compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress.

• Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) – A newer tool that evaluates core burnout symptoms and related risk factors.

• Self-Reflection Journaling – Keeping track of emotional and physical well-being regularly can help identify patterns of stress and fatigue.

• Supervisor or Peer Evaluations – Engaging in discussions with colleagues can provide external perspectives on burnout risk.

After doing an assessment, you may notice that, indeed, you are burnt out. This can be shocking, affirming, or feel detrimental depending on what you believe about burnout, if you have ever been burnt out, or the job environment you are in.

What to Do After Identifying Burnout

If signs of burnout are present, taking immediate steps to mitigate its effects is essential. Here’s what therapists can do:

1. Acknowledge and Validate Feelings

   
   

   Recognizing burnout is the first step toward recovery. Therapists should acknowledge their emotions without guilt or shame.

2. Adjust Workload and Responsibilities

   
   

   Reducing caseloads, modifying schedules, or delegating non-essential tasks can help alleviate stress.

3. Seek Support and Consultation

   
   

   Engaging in peer discussions, professional supervision, or personal therapy can provide guidance and emotional relief.

4. Enhance Self-Care Practices

   
   

   Prioritizing physical, emotional, and mental self-care through exercise, rest, and enjoyable activities is crucial.

5. Reevaluate Professional Goals and Boundaries

   
   

   Therapists should reflect on their career path, set clear boundaries, and make necessary adjustments to maintain long-term sustainability.

6. Consider Temporary or Extended Breaks

   
   

   If burnout is severe, taking a step back—whether through a short vacation, sabbatical, or reduced hours—can provide time to reset.

7. Implement Stress Management Techniques

   
   

   Practicing mindfulness, deep breathing, or relaxation exercises can help manage stress and prevent further burnout.

Let’s be more diligent in assessing burnout so we can implement preventative measures and achieve wellness!

At Flourish, we love to support clinicians in their journey of flourishing as a clinician. For consultations, consultation groups, or supervision. Please see our services page.