Preventing Burnout: Strategies for Success!

Burn out is real!

It is often joked about as a "midlife crisis" but I have heard from new therapists that even after a year of working, they can feel burn out. The barriers to doing our jobs are real. 

• Child and parent disengagement.
• Feeling undervalued or de-valued.
• Service delivery challenges - high caseload numbers, changing systems, lack of funds, high KPIs (key performance indicators).
• Emotional Exhaustion.
• De-personalization of services. 

More and more therapists are considering career changes. 

In my study of the literature about the "Therapeutic Use of Self", I found an article by the American OT association "The OT avatar: Redefining therapeutic use of self, post pandemic". I've linked it here for your reference.  The article describes the unprecendented strain of the COVID-19 pandemic on occupational therapists leading to high rates of OT burnout. 

This is not a uniquely OT phenomenon. You may be a teacher, speech pathologist, physiotherapist, psychologist or even a parent .... experiencing the same thoughts and feelings. Whilst as a workforce (sorry not you parents) we may just leave and find something else of meaning, it is not always easy to switch career paths or to find a new job. 

The article goes on to provide some practical ways to develop strategies for success. Lets take a closer look. 

Being self-aware is an important skill to have as a therapist. 

It is important to be able to reflect on our own strengths, weaknesses, triggers and traumas.  How do we respond to our clients?  What are out thoughts, attitudes.... what are our emotional, behavioural and physiological responses? 

We need to be self-aware so that we can help ourselves... protect ourselves, set boundaries, be kind to ourselves, allow ourselves to process uncomfortable feelings, prevent conflict, be objective about situations and clients. 

Positive coping strategies and tools can look different for individuals. The four strategies that apply to everyone (parents you are back in here) are exercise, sleep, mindfulness and work/life balance (this means taking time off).  The work/life balance is the hardest to achieve here, especially if you are like me and have a hard time "switching off" the brain.  I have had to adopt more concrete strategies like closing the door to my home office and not opening it on the weekends. 

Sometimes we need someone else to give us "permission" to set boundaries. So consider this as your permission.

Take what you need:

• repeat an activity,
• take a break,
• make mistakes,
• don't respond immediately to emails and texts,
• don't take work home,
• turn off social media,
• have a hard time connecting with a child,
• ask for help,
• say no,
• protect yourself from compassion fatigue,
• laugh at work (do something that makes you smile),
• have fun!

It can also be helpful to re-frame our thinking towards aspects of work which we find tedious (but I'll delve into that one on another blog). 

We (as people) are built for community.  Even introverts need to be with people some of the time.  It is no different in our work.  As a sole trader, I've often found myself being "alone".  Whilst I work with people every day (teachers, other professionals, children, parents)... this is not the same as being part of an OT team. 

"Reinforcing our professional identity" Frye and Gigliotti (2023) explain is a restorative activity that can engage the mind and body.  This can include building professional networks, working within a team, seeking supervision and participating in professional development activities.  

If you find yourself isolated, reach out.  Find a local professional group. Find an online group. Seek supervision from peers or a mentor. 

It can be no surprise that "occupation-based practice" is included as a strategy.  OTs are experts on occupation for our clients but what about ourselves?  What act of "doing" brings satisfaction and joy? Can we use our interests and personality to our work? Of course we can.  This does not mean imposing our values or disregarding the interests of our clients.  If you attended my talk on the "Therapeutic Use of Self" (sorry not currently available)...you will know that being self-aware, intentional and purposeful will bring a way to develop connection with our clients in a meaningful way. 

Now if you made it all the way to the end of the article and you are thinking... but I'm NOT burnt out, I applaud you for persisting to the end.  Did you notice the title?  Go back and consider these recommendations to prevent burn out.  

We don't want a burnt out profession.  

How can you help yourself to prevent burn out? How can you support your colleagues (and parents)?  

Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

Cindy is a contributing author of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. ​​​
YKOT shop:  https://www.yourkidsot.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Your-Kids-Ot
You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZUz_5nYEOCkj32DiOCQo4Q/featured
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourkidsot
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourkidsot/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/yourkidsot/
​

---