The Therapist Time-out!
This topic may be sensitive or alarming to many people. Does weekly burnout of people occur for me? Yes it sure does! As a therapist, wife, mother, emotion stabler (lol. ) there are times that I do become overwhelmed by people and conversation. Weird right? Most people think that I spend every waking moment of my life speaking and breathing therapy! Wrong!!! If I did that, I’d be looney! With all of that said, I do experience weekly burnout. Now that you know my deep dirtiest therapeutic secret, I will offer you the 4 steps that I take to remedy this situation during my “Time-out.”
Step 1:
On Friday’s at 5 pm, I shutdown. When I say shutdown, I mean disconnect and become my alter ego- her name is Kim 2.0. The second version of myself is impatient, direct and irritable. Once I begin to feel this person, I instantly know that it is time for a break from other humans. I know, you may think that I just lost my mind. However, all jokes aside I usually go home, order pizza and chill in a back room of my house. I use this time to enjoy silence and listen to music that makes me happy. I do receive the occasional (like 30) interruptions by people in my household and the dog, but for the most part I take the time to just be.
Step 2:
Due to being Kim 2.0, I avoid the stores and restaurants at ALL costs. Why you say? Well, as much as I hate to admit it, my patience has worn thin by Friday evening. I usually spend the majority of my week being helpful, understanding etc to both my children and clients, however by Friday I have a hard time remaining that individual. Kim 2.0 becomes agitated quickly by the woman arguing with the cashier and the old man that’s yelling at people around him. So to prevent me from yelling or completely just feeling intense irritation, I go home for peace.
Step 3:
Typically on a Friday evening I turn my phone on silent (because who actually shuts their phone off for an extended period of time right?). I try not to answer phone calls (unless they are family members or clients in CRISIS) and I do not respond to texts. I may scan my couponing instagram for weekend deals for about 5 minutes, then I remove myself from social media. I have found that by staying connected to your phone, you do not have a full chance to be away from people. So naturally, I remove that as well. This helps me to fully have a chance to recover!
Step 4:
I treat myself to something yummy! Usually, we will have a bit of ice cream or a warm cookie to tell myself “thanks” for holding it all together this week lol. Now, this may not be advised by other people, however I enjoy this type of reward because this lady loves her sweets! Kim 2.0 tends to find gratiffication in this and usually softens throughout the evening. You as a helping professional can choose what will work out best for rewarding yourself.!
After I use these techniques, I wake up on Saturday mornings refreshed and ready for whatever is planned for that day (usually involves many kid activities lol). I return to my happy go lucky self because I took my therapist “Time-Out”. This keeps me from becoming overwhelmed by therapy and my personal life. What can you do to prevent weekly burn out? How can you remain pumped and happy as a therapist?