Symptoms of Counselor Burnout

Burnout is a syndrome of exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy and is a serious health risk for counselors.  Burnout Syndrome is a progression process and can affect anyone!

Warning symptoms of Burnout Syndrome might include:

• Emotional Symptoms:  Frustration, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, or excessive worrying. 

• Mental Symptoms:  Negative attitude, confusion, boredom with work responsibilities, forgetfulness and poor concentration.

• Physical Symptoms: Fatigue, insomnia, headaches, problems with digestion, changes in appetite, and increased use of drugs, alcohol or tabacco.

• Spiritual Symptoms:  Loss of meaning or direction, martyrdom, feelings of emptiness or cynicism. 

• Relational Symptoms: Depersonalization of clients, resentment, increased isolation or loneliness.

Cotton, Frances; Gilbertson, Joni; Hornsby, Mary; Raya, Shannon: Verdick, David (2000).  Counselor Burnout and Stress.  Retrieved August 8, 2012, from http://verdick.org/counselor-burnout-and-stress

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Meditation and the Brain

A research study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in 2009, found that individuals who meditated showed more gray matter in specific regions of the brain than individuals in a non-meditating control group.  A recent follow-up study suggests that individuals who meditate regularly also have stronger neuronal connections between brain regions and less age-related shrinkage in all areas of the brain.  These results suggest that meditation may help slow down aging-related brain atrophy and positively affect the immune system (Natural Awakening, February 2012).  Practicing meditation yourself or with your clients may not only help minimize the negative impact of stressors on the body but also reduce aging-related changes in the brain.

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Vicarious Trauma

Vicarious Trauma, also known as Compassion Fatigue or Secondary Traumatic Stress, refers to the cumulative effect of working with survivors of traumatic life events.  Signs of Vicarious Trauma may include feeling overwhelmed, negative emotions, health problems, diminished self-worth, and avoiding work duties.

Therapists who work with young traumatized children have between a six percent and 26 percent risk of experiencing Vicarious Trauma due to repeated exposure to trauma stories and their empathic relationship with children who may be difficult to engage with.  Additional risk factors include blurred boundaries, the inability to say "no", a history of personal trauma, and repeated exposure to traumatic stories or events.

Strategies for coping at work include seeking support from others, seeking supervision, maintaining appropriate boundaries with clients, decreasing your case load, striving for balance between work and your personal life, and practicing self-care and relaxation techniques.

For more information, visit the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and download the NCTSN Secondary Traumatic Stress Fact Sheet.

National Child Traumatic Stress Learning Center (5.03.12).  Emotional challenges and self-care for those working with young traumatized children.  Retrieved May 3, 2012, from http://learn.NCTSN.org.

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Counselor Fatigue Syndromes

The term Counselor Fatigue Syndromes is used to group various professional fatigue reactions that can negatively impact a counselor.  Counselor Fatigue Syndromes include Empathy Fatigue Syndrome, Compassion Fatigue Syndrome, and Burnout Syndrome.

The American Counseling Association's Task Force on Counselor Wellness and Impairment (ACA, 2004) identified targeted prevention and resiliency education for counselors as an area for further development.  It is important to understand, and be able to identify, the job-related stressors that can place counselors at risk of developing a Counselor Fatigue Syndrome, with negative effects to psychological and/or physical health, as well as an increased risk for ethical or legal violations.

Mental health professionals and graduate counseling students who are knowledgeable of the signs and symptoms of Counselor Fatigue Syndromes can utilize this information in identifying healthy coping strategies when creating a Counselor Wellness Plan.

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