The COVID-19 era: How therapists can diminish burnout symptoms through self-care

Abstract

COVID-19 is a frightening, stress-inducing, and unchartered territory for all. It is suggested that stress, loneliness, and the emotional toll of the pandemic will result in increased numbers of those who will seek psychological intervention, need support, and guidance on how to cope with a time period that none of us were prepared for. Psychologists, in general, are trained in and know how to help others. They are less effective in taking care of themselves, so that they can be their best in helping others. The article, which aims to heighten clinicians’ awareness of the need for self-care, especially now in the post-pandemic era, describes the demanding nature of psychotherapy and the initial resistance by therapists to engage in self-care, and outlines the consequences of neglecting to care for themselves. We covered the demanding nature of psychotherapy and its grinding trajectory, the loneliness and isolation felt by clinicians in private practice, the professional hazards faced by those caring for others, and the creative and insightful ways that mental health practitioners can care for themselves for the good of their clients, their families, and obviously, themselves.

Digitizing Social Counseling—Insights for Workplace Health Management

“…In the case of teamwork, they also value a long-term working relationship and thus a relationship of trust between the employees. This is in line with the results from other studies, which indicate isolation of counselors as a risk factor for burnout and emotional exhaustion [ 26 ], and means that even in times of a massive increase in digital work options, personal interaction can prove beneficial for employee health and times and places should be planned for in organizations.…”

“…In addition, lack of staff resources and long waiting lists for counseling appointments can be among the stressful factors [ 24 ]. Counselors also experience isolation when not working as part of a team [ 26 ].…”

Couple Connectedness in the Time of COVID-19

“…Therapists are a particularly susceptible group, partly due to their good intentions of assisting as many people as possible ( Luther et al, 2017 ). Self-care, defined as a deliberate and self-initiated attempt to look after oneself, is widely recognized as an important tool for improving therapist wellbeing and overall treatment efficacy ( Rokach & Boulazreg, 2020 ).…”

“…Moreover, the Buddhist nun Chodron (1994) , authored a book called “Start Where You Are,” which advocates empathy not just with clients, but also with ourselves. The literature shows that when therapists reached out for help from other mental health professionals, the capacity for empathetic behavior increased, both directed towards oneself and towards clients ( Rokach & Boulazreg, 2020 ). Other self-care practices a therapist can do are practice mindfulness techniques, stick to a routine, create a separate workspace, reach out to colleagues, exercise, and to not be so hard on yourself ( Clay, 2020 ).…”

“…Moreover, what presses one's “button” must be recognized and protected against. Acknowledge the stressors, but also recognize that they are shared by the vast majority, if not all, of therapists ( Rokach & Boulazreg, 2020 ).…”