Counselor burnout
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Transcript of Counselor burnout
Counselor
Burnout
Sheila M. BennettFall 2007
What Is Burnout?Definitions include:Physical, emotional & attitudinal exhaustion
Goes beyond fatigue…hallmark is the distancing that goes on in response to the overload
What Is Burnout?Definitions include:Happens when people feel out of control or feel a lack of recognition and reward
One of the biggest contributing factors is a mismatch of values
What Is Burnout?Definitions include:A consequence of a perceived disparity between the demands of the job and the resources available to him or her—both material and emotional resources
General Symptoms of BurnoutFeeling overwhelmedTired all the timeAnger, resentmentCynicalUnmotivatedRelationship problems
General Symptoms of BurnoutAnxiety, DepressionFeeling hopelessPhysical symptoms include: headache, GI symptoms, weight change, sleep disturbance
Examples of Counselor Burnout
Mary has been a mental health counselor for 20 years. Her caseload includes the most severely disturbed clients in the center. She sees 8 to 10 clients a day leaving little time for paperwork.
Examples of Counselor Burnout
Jim is a 41 yr, he has been a counselor for ten years. He finds himself becoming overwhelmed with stress. He comes home anxious, irritable, tired, angry and obsessed with his clients’ problems. He feels angry at many of his clients and his co-workers.
Symptoms of Counselor BurnoutBored with counselingNo longer attends workshops
on new counseling ideasWants everything to be
perfect but is very harsh on themselves when they make mistakes.
Symptoms of Counselor BurnoutConstantly feel you
should be doing more
Withdrawn-feel more comfortable doing paperwork than interacting with clients
Symptoms of Counselor BurnoutCan’t remember why you went into counseling
Take your frustration home with you and can’t get away from it
Worry excessively about your clients and their problems
Symptoms of Counselor Burnout
Count the days until your next vacation
Don’t take good care of yourself!
Causes of Counselor BurnoutExcessive case loadToo many extremely difficult casesLack of administrative and peer support
Inadequate salariesLack of Client Interest—too many court referrals
Causes of Counselor BurnoutDifficulty in advancementLack of support from family and friends
Conflict in job perceptionsUnfamiliarity with diagnosticsUnwillingness to seek guidance from others
Causes of Counselor BurnoutFear for personal safetyFrequent changes in rules and regulations
Lack of paper work time i.e. behind in paperwork
What You Can Do About Burnout
Learn more about diagnostics and therapy
Share information, talk to your colleagues, network
Learn to say “no”
What You Can Do About BurnoutIdentify your main goals
Do relaxation activitiesOrganize time and set priorities
Maintain a good dietExercise
What You Can Do About BurnoutLeave your counseling at workPursue a project or hobbyDon’t procrastinate on paperwork
Don’t feel that you must do everything
Keep a “things to do” list
What You Can Do About Burnout
Recognize and accept your own limitations
Learn to tolerate and forgive
Get moving, take action!
Learn to play!
What Your Employer Can Do About Burnout
Allow time for counselors to collaborate/talk
Provide more workshops, in-services, advanced courses, etc.
Provide more verbal praise & reinforcement for the job
What Your Employer Can Do About BurnoutProvide more clerical assistanceProvide more educational opportunities to learn about counseling
Provide more social activities and “retreats”
Compassion Fatigue Sometimes thought of as a special form
of burnout, compassion fatigue effects people in the caring professions—doctors, nurses, counselors, ministers, etc
Compassion fatigue results from caring to the point that you are drained of empathy
Compassion Fatigue Compassion fatigue is sometimes
referred to as “secondary PTSD” or “Secondary traumatic stress”
It occurs after expending a great deal of energy and compassion to others over an extended period of time
Compassion Fatigue Compassion Fatigue sometimes occurs
due to unrealistic expectations—i.e. we can “cure” everyone
People with CF feel used up at the end of everyday
They often have no life outside the office
They have given so much there is nothing left to give
Overcoming Compassion Fatigue Learn to recognize the symptoms before
it becomes full blown Do something different at work if you
can Take some time off Eat right and exercise, get plenty of
sleep Spend time with family and freinds
Overcoming Compassion Fatigue Get in touch with your spiritual side Take up a hobby or take a class Do research on something you are
interested in Meditate Lower your expectations of yourself and
others, celebrate small accomplishments
The End