Crafting a Resilient Career: Strategies to Thrive as a Therapist and Avoid Burnout
On my journey to becoming a licensed therapist…
I immersed myself in many academic articles, editorial articles, and social content on therapy and therapists. I wanted to know everything I could about the career trajectory of those in the field and how they experienced their work. Deep dives into my research led me to explore the concerning issue of therapist burnout. It is a significant challenge in our profession, prompting me to ponder, "What factors lead someone to burn out? What pushes them to the brink of considering leaving a field they've invested so much time and money in?"
I uncovered common themes: low pay, lack of autonomy, and poor management/supervision. Therapists who openly shared their frustrations and experienced burnout often grappled with being underpaid, having limited autonomy, and struggling to curate a specific clientele (ex, teens dealing with addiction). They found themselves working in environments where they were given impossibly large client loads, limited resources, and poor supervision.
Initially, I worried that I might have chosen the wrong profession if some practitioners were so discontented. However, I soon discovered therapists who were genuinely enthusiastic about their work. They appeared to have carved out something special and meaningful for themselves, and I wanted to know how. As I reflected on the factors distinguishing the "I love my job" therapists, I came across a few themes.
Here are my observations:
Diversify your time and offerings:
Don't limit yourself to seeing clients exclusively.
Explore consulting, coaching, authorship, public speaking, and multimedia endeavors like podcasting or creating a YouTube channel.
Consider building an interactive website that contributes positively to the community.
Take on bigger challenges:
Become a leader in an organization or take on roles like mental health administrator/clinical director.
Contribute to research, get into teaching at the collegiate level, or pursue continuing education opportunities.
Entrepreneurial pursuits:
Start a private practice and consider growing it into a group practice.
Explore the possibility of having multiple offices across the city.
Specialize:
Therapists who specialize in one or two main areas often find contentment.
Curate the kind of practice you want by becoming an expert in a particular area, allowing you to serve populations you care deeply about.
Avoid unlivable wages:
While challenging, push for higher pay and negotiate based on your skills, experience, and training.
Keep an eye on online job boards for opportunities that align with your worth, and move on from low-paying positions when feasible.
While this is not an exhaustive list, nor is it a one-size-fits-all scenario, hopefully, you will find some part of this helpful. As you embark on your journey in the field of therapy, remember that your fulfillment and success are within your control. By adopting a proactive and diversified approach, you can not only avoid burnout but also contribute meaningfully to the well-being of your clients and the field as a whole. Stay passionate and dedicated, and your journey in this rewarding profession can be a fulfilling one.
Kimberly
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Any content on this site is for educational and/or entertainment purposes only. The information presented does not serve as a diagnosis, professional mental health care, career advice, or a substitute for therapy or treatment with a licensed mental health professional. This site is not a means for crisis intervention. If you are in immediate danger to yourself or others, please call 911 for an emergency or 988 if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.
