Therapist Burnout Checklist:
Therapist burnout is real, and it is impactful. The work that we do is not for the faint of heart. It is funny how people often assume our work is just “sitting around listening to people talk all day” and super easy, OR that it is “listening to people talk about terrible things all day” and super hard. Neither even remotely relate to the work that happens in deep, healing sessions- for our clients, and for us.
But, here is the thing that nobody told us when we started: The people teaching me how to do therapy didn’t know how to do it sustainably.
Therapy or an intervention is such a SMALL part of what happens. If it was just about answering questions listening, or spitting out an intervention- ChatGPT could do it. But, therapy is so much more. There is so much more that we need to understand as healers to sustain this work long-term and get the best outcomes possible.
Here are some things we’ve seen over the last decade (and more):
Therapists whose own trauma is being activated and they don’t realize it.
Systems set up in ways that are not sustainable. Systems that require therapists to be unpaid or underpaid and live at or below the poverty level (while saddled with tens of thousands of dollars in student loans).
Therapists’ health is doing weird and wonky things to get their attention. Symptoms that won’t relent until their work setting or workload changes.
Therapists experience impactful spiritual events in serving clients that they have no resources to identify, understand, or heal.
Therapists are constantly gaslit and told that they aren’t enough, they need to continually invest tens of thousands of dollars for the next and greatest certification and taught to second-guess their deep knowing about what clients actually need. (All while there is an expectation by insurance that they should be able to heal chronic major depression in 3 sessions or less).
Therapists who use their therapy sessions with clients to avoid and push through whatever they are experiencing, landing them with unreasonable caseload sizes or saying yes to anyone who walks through the door.
When we worked in county and non-profits organziations the idea of burnout was often seen as a judgement on someone who was “claiming” they were experiencing burnout. But, burnout is a real thing. It has real emotional, energetic, physical, relational, and spiritual components to it.
How about you, when is the last time you checked in to see whether you are experiencing burnout?
Therapist Burnout Symptoms
Feeling Drained – You’re just plain exhausted. Even your go-to clients feel like a lot of effort, and by the end of the day, you’re wiped out, emotionally and mentally.
Caring Less – You’re finding it harder to really care. You’re still there for your clients, but deep down, it’s getting harder to be fully present or as compassionate as you used to be.
Short Fuse – Little things are setting you off more than they used to—clients canceling last minute, tech issues, even traffic. It’s like everything gets under your skin lately.
Thinking, "What's the Point?" – You catch yourself feeling cynical or jaded, wondering if any of this work is even making a difference. It's like the hope and optimism you used to have are fading.
Not Feeling Accomplished – Those wins with clients that used to make you feel so proud? Now, they don’t hit the same. It’s like you’re just going through the motions without feeling that sense of achievement.
Always Tired – You’re tired all the time, but no matter how much you rest, it’s not helping. It’s a tired that goes beyond just needing a good night’s sleep.
Brain Fog – You’re zoning out in sessions or struggling to remember details about your clients. It feels like your brain just isn’t firing on all cylinders.
Dreading the Day Ahead – Instead of feeling excited about helping people, you’re waking up with that sinking feeling in your stomach, thinking, “Ugh, another full day of sessions.”
Pulling Away from Colleagues – When colleagues reach out or there’s a networking opportunity, you find yourself avoiding it. Chatting with others just feels like more work right now.
Feeling Underappreciated – It’s starting to feel like nobody gets how much energy you put into your work. Whether it’s clients, coworkers, or even at home, it feels like you're giving and giving but not getting much back.
Body Aches – Your body is talking to you, too. Maybe it’s a constant headache or that nagging tension in your neck and shoulders. Stress is making its way into your muscles.
Putting Off Work Stuff – Things you used to handle easily—emails, notes, scheduling—are now piling up. You’re procrastinating on even the simple tasks because everything feels overwhelming.
Messy Sleep Patterns – Either you’re lying awake at night with your brain buzzing, or you’re sleeping more but still feel exhausted. Sleep just isn’t the same anymore.
Losing That Spark – Remember when you used to get excited about learning new techniques or attending a workshop? Now, the thought of professional development just feels like another to-do on a long list.
Fantasizing about Escapes - Not just vacations but career changes and other daydreams fill your mind so you don’t have to feel what is in front of you.
Resentments Building - You don’t know who to blame but everything is feeling unfair and like it’s stacking up against you.
Numbing Out - From scrolling or binge watching to excessive drinking or eating, you are turning to the outside to try to feel good.
Questioning Your Career – Lately, you might find yourself thinking, “Is this really what I want to do?” You're starting to question if you can see yourself doing this for the long haul.
It’s so easy to feel like this work is taking more from you than it’s giving back, and these signs are your mind and body waving the white flag. It’s a reminder that it’s time to slow down, recharge, and give yourself some of the care you so often give to others.
But, beyond that- we see that the systems are seldom setup in a way that allows for slowing down, for saying no, for making changes. That is the reason we love private practice so much. It is an opportunity to be an agent of change and create a sustainable system for you, and for anyone you employ.
So, today, we just want to say, we see you. If you are experiencing burnout you aren’t alone, it isn’t your fault, but we do want to help you find some control to be able to create something sustainable. We need more amazing therapists out in the world, not less!
