Burnout Kate Walker, M.A., LPC-I, LMFTA

Burnout – case study Falling Down

Burnout – a working definition An emotional exhaustion Syndrome of behavior Consequence of stressful employment Impairment that results in the inability to transcend stressful events A complex configuration of phenomena

Burnout - symptoms emotional exhaustion  lack of any positive feelings  fatigue  frustration  apathy  psychosomatic illnesses  listlessness  emotion ally overextended  depersonalizatio n  unfeeling reactions to clients  lack of personal accomplishment  glassy eyes  feeling incompetent  anxiety  emotion ally worn down

Burnout - case study Bruce Almighty

Burnout – Factors that contribute to counselor burnout Environment   Organizational factors   Nature of client- helper interactions - perceived inequities Individual Factors   Over-identification/over- involvement with the client   Therapeutic locus of control   Coping style and needs

Burnout - case study Office Space

Burnout – Why is it an ethical issue? Emotional Exhaustion Depersonalization, unfeeling reactions to clients Lack of personal accomplishment or feeling incompetent at your job Increased alcohol and drug use Employee theft Declining level and quality of service to clients Boundary issues Avoidance of involvement with certain types of cases

Burnout – Measurement instruments Maslach Burnout Inventory Maslach Burnout Inventory The Staff Burnout Scale The Staff Burnout Scale The Tedium Scale The Tedium Scale

Burnout – Helpful resources

Burnout – Helpful resources Seven Salutary Suggestions for Counselor Stamina Selectivity Selectivity Temporal Sensitivity Temporal Sensitivity Accountability Accountability Measurement and Management Measurement and Management Inquisitiveness Inquisitiveness Negotiation Negotiation Acknowledgement of Agency Acknowledgement of Agency

Burnout – some prevention measures Avoid overidentification Avoid overidentification Set boundaries Set boundaries The battle for initiative The battle for initiative Clear professional objectives Clear professional objectives Simple interventions first Simple interventions first Maintain a sense of humor Maintain a sense of humor Self-care Self-care Expect trial and error Expect trial and error

Burnout - references Arthur, N. (1990). The assessment of burnout: a review of three inventories useful for research and counseling. Journal of Counseling & Development, 69, Arthur, N. (1990). The assessment of burnout: a review of three inventories useful for research and counseling. Journal of Counseling & Development, 69, Cottone, R., & Tarvydas, V. (2003). Ethical and professional issues in counseling (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. Cottone, R., & Tarvydas, V. (2003). Ethical and professional issues in counseling (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. Burnout in the workplace self-test. Retrieved September 30, 2004, from Burnout in the workplace self-test. Retrieved September 30, 2004, from Osborn, C. (2004). Seven salutary suggestions for counselor stamina. Journal of Counseling & Development, 82, Osborn, C. (2004). Seven salutary suggestions for counselor stamina. Journal of Counseling & Development, 82, Savicki, V., & Cooley, E. (1982, March). Implications of burnout research and theory for counselor educators. The Personnel and Guidance Journal, 1982, March, Savicki, V., & Cooley, E. (1982, March). Implications of burnout research and theory for counselor educators. The Personnel and Guidance Journal, 1982, March, Truchot, D., & Deregard, M. (2001). Perceived inequity, communal orientation and burnout: the role of helping models. Work and Stress, 15, Truchot, D., & Deregard, M. (2001). Perceived inequity, communal orientation and burnout: the role of helping models. Work and Stress, 15, VanAuken, S. (1979, October). Youth counselor burnout. The Personnel and Guidance Journal, 1979, October, VanAuken, S. (1979, October). Youth counselor burnout. The Personnel and Guidance Journal, 1979, October,