Self-care in psychotherapy and burnout

Abstract

In psychotherapy, relationships are central, thus the work is often emotionally demanding. This is especially true for younger psychotherapists who are still in the process of learning, have less experience and are less likely to have established a good work–personal life balance. This can – long-term – lead to burn-out. Studies show that among the factors contributing to burn-out are low stress tolerance, burden of responsibility, extended working hours, lack of experience and practitioners not attending to their own therapy and supervision, with risk factors being both social and psychological. A review of studies has shown the importance of social and personal support as a protective factor for workers in helping professions, and self-care is highlighted as an important competence in maintaining balance. For self-care the therapist can use a variety of techniques such as mindfulness, self-hypnosis, spirituality, art, physical activities, and involvement in self-therapy and proper professional supervision. In Slovenia, an efficient system that would offer support for therapists and stress-relief options has not yet been set up. The activities that are available, such as further training and supervision, are often inaccessible to users due to the expense. In conclusion I formulate a proposal that could in the long run strengthen the personal resilience of those who work with people on a daily basis.