Therapists are trained to hold space for the pain, stress, and growth of others but that doesn’t make us immune to emotional fatigue. Like anyone in a helping profession, therapists are vulnerable to burnout. “Burnout” refers to the gradual depletion of emotional, physical, and mental energy caused by prolonged stress. Not only does this leave one feeling emotionally drained, but it also prevents one from providing the best care possible for clients. So how do therapists decompress after a long day? What does it look like to take care of the caregiver? Throughout this blog, I will share real-world strategies therapists use to recharge, reset, and sustain their emotional wellness.
What is Therapist Burnout?
Burnout for a therapist often shows up as emotional exhaustion, detachment or numbness, feeling ineffective, compassion fatigue, or trouble sleeping or concentrating. Burnout is more than just being tired after a long day. It can affect a therapist’s sense of purpose, emotional availability, and ability to provide their best clinical work. Preventing burnout is an ethical imperative that starts with consistent, intentional care outside of the therapy room.
Boundaries are Essential
One of the most important tools that prevents burnout is setting boundaries. Boundaries help therapists separate work life from personal life, allowing them to recharge between sessions. These boundaries may look like clear work hours, not checking their work email after a certain time, making time for lunch or movement between sessions, or limiting the number of emotionally intense sessions in one day.
Supervision and Peer Support
Therapists may work solo with clients, but we’re never doing the work alone. Most therapists engage in clinical supervision, consultation, or peer support groups. These opportunities offer emotional support, a safe space to process difficult sessions, ethical guidelines, and additional professional opinions. This allows us as therapists to have a safe space to unload emotional baggage from the day.
Regular Movement and Rest
Many therapists prioritize movement as a form of stress relief. Whether it’s yoga, walking, running, dancing, or simply stretching between sessions. Such acts can help reset the nervous system after a day of holding in deep emotions. Rest is equally important as movement, not just sleep but mental rest. This may look like listening to music, mindful breathing, meditation, and saying “no” to commitments when bandwidth is low.
Creative Outlets and Hobbies
Therapists often engage in creative practices that offer joy and self-expression separate from clinical work. Writing, painting, gardening, cooking, or exercise can be outlets that are both grounding and restorative. Having something that’s just for us, with no outcome tied to helping others reinforces identity and pleasure beyond our roles as helpers.
Therapy for Therapists
Yes, many therapists go to therapy themselves! Being on the other side of the session helps us process stress and emotions, work through areas we are stuck in, and reflect on our values and goals. Therapy allows us to grow and become more self-aware which is essential for doing work that is ethical and sustainable.
Disconnecting to Reconnect
Helping others means being deeply tuned in but doing so can also drain us. Therapists often schedule intentional downtime to step away from emotional labor. This can look like turning off notifications, logging out from work systems, spending time outside, or scheduling digital detox days. This time to unplug helps reconnect with ourselves, our values, and the world beyond work.
Mini Decompressions Between Sessions
Even taking five minutes between clients can make a major difference. Therapists might stretch or walk outside, do grounding exercises, listen to calming music, or jot down feelings or thoughts that have been filling their minds. These little moments help clear the mind before a counselor steps into the next session.
Celebrating Wins and Acknowledging Limits
The therapist’s role is often to support others through tough times. However, we also celebrate times of growth (both our clients and our own). Taking time to notice small victories boosts motivation and gratitude. Doing so allows us to sit with our victories, no matter how big or small, and appreciate the work we’ve accomplished.
Final Thoughts
Therapists are human and can become overwhelmed when emotions are not taken care of. When we prioritize our mental health, we are better able to hold space for others and model the balance we hope our clients find in their own lives. Thriving therapists make for thriving clients and whether you’re a therapist, or simply curious about how emotional labor impacts mental health, I hope this is a reminder that everyone needs to feel taken care of.