CCC 27-1_LR

INNOVATIVE THOUGHT & PRACTICE

None of us wants to be a burned-out counselor— someone physically present with their clients but absent from them emotionally. That is a big deal because we know that emotional presence is perhaps the most important part of our jobs.

2. Make self-care a priority. Burnout is, among other things, an indicator that you need to take better care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. So when you are burned out, it is time to take stock of your diet, sleep, and exercise (the physical component); it is time to examine your emotional experience, thought patterns, and interpretive style (the emotional component); and it is time to spend focused time with God, the renewer of hearts (the spiritual component). 3. Lean into community. I mentioned earlier that one of the key elements of burnout is isolation. And, when you are completely exhausted, isolating feels like the right thing to do. However, just as the Lord introduced Elijah to Elisha in the darkest days of his burnout crisis, God still heals the stress fractures in our lives with the compassion and partnership of others. Even if you are a sole practi tioner, it is essential to be strategic about leaning into, in stead of away from, relationships. You need others to help you through, so give them a chance to help you get back on your feet. Someday, you will do the same for them. Today, perhaps more than ever, we need energized, healthy Christian counselors to provide soul care to a hurting world. I pray that you will have the energy to serve those God has called you to counsel and be energized and healthy enough to enjoy every minute! ;

If you have been in or around the counseling world for any length of time, you know that my story is not a “one-off.” It is a common problem. In fact, in some recent research, there is evidence that as many as 40% of counsel ors may be experiencing significant levels of burnout. 1 Dr. Christina Maslach, former professor of psychology and job burnout researcher, taught us that burnout is comprised of three components: 1) emotional exhaustion, 2) deperson alization, and 3) reduced feelings of accomplishment. So, like the guy I talked to at the conference, people who are burned out lack emotional energy (emotional exhaustion). They have completely exhausted the supply of emotional tools that are the counselor’s stock-in-trade: empathy, intuition, compassion, resonance, and attunement. Their emotional gas tank is empty. It is not that they will not be able to refill that tank in time, but until they do, they are dry of energy to connect with people. As a result, they will tend to withdraw from relationships, work, and—in a sense—the best version of themselves (depersonalization). Finally, when people become aware of their exhaustion and disconnection, they feel the sharp pain of shame and failure (reduced feelings of accomplishment). None of us wants to be a burned-out counselor—some one physically present with their clients but absent from them emotionally. That is a big deal because we know that emotional presence is perhaps the most important part of our jobs. Avoiding burnout is one of the most significant steps you can take, not only for your own well-being but also for the well-being of your clients. So, what if you feel like that therapist I sat across from at the conference so many years ago? What if you are feel ing depleted, disconnected, and unsure if you can go on serving the clients you care about so much? The following are a few steps you can take to get your life back. 1. Make three appointments. Meet with your physi cian . Tell them about what you are going through, and be sure to share any troublesome physical symptoms you are experiencing. It is not uncommon to have physical pain when you are burned out. Second, meet with your thera pist . You have one, right? Sometimes, even the best coun selor needs a counselor. Let someone else be the caregiver for a bit and allow them to help you unpack your stressful experience. Finally, make an appointment with your pas tor . If you are a pastor, make an appointment with another spiritual leader who you trust. There is a spiritual element to burnout; just consider Elijah.

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Jonathan Hoover, Ph.D., serves as an Assistant Professor at Regent University, where he directs the Master’s of Sci ence in General Psychology program. He also is the Senior Associate Pastor at NewSpring Church in Wichita, Kan sas. Jonathan is the author of the book, Stress Fracture: Your Ultimate Guide to Beating Burnout.

Endnote 1 O’Connor, K., Muller Neff, D., & Pitman, S. (2018). Burnout in mental health professionals: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence and determinants. European Psychiatry, 53, 74-99. 10.1016/j. eurpsy.2018.06.003.

20 Christian Counseling Connection