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Burnout Prevention: You're So Much More Than Your Professional Identity
Description
Therapists, when someone asks you about yourself, how often do you start with "I'm a mental health therapist," without actually being able to talk about the other things that make up your identity? It could be that you can't think of other roles in your life, interests, hobbies, etc.
As helpers, we so often default to "what we do for work" to describe who we are. This can be problematic, especially when we don't take care of other parts of ourselves. It leads to burnout, stress, compassion fatigue, and more.
In this episode, I talk with Sarah Gilbert, therapist and coach, about the common tendency among mental health professionals to define themselves solely by their work and how this can lead to burnout and a loss of personal identity.
3 Key Takeaways...
- Reflect on your journey: It's important to explore why you entered this field and how your identity as a helper developed. Understanding this can provide insight into how your work may be influencing your overall sense of self.
- Boundaries are crucial: Building boundaries is an essential component of self-care and preventing burnout. We must recognize that we can't be "therapists" or "healers" 24/7. It's okay to prioritize other aspects of our lives and set limits to protect our mental and emotional well-being.
- Challenge societal expectations: Society often expects mental health professionals to sacrifice their personal lives for the sake of their clients. However, we have the power to redefine success in our field. Let go of guilt and shame when prioritizing self-care and setting professional goals that align with your needs and values.
More about Sarah:
Sarah Gilbert is a coach and therapist in private practice in Connecticut. She is also a mom, a wife, an avid reader, a snarky friend, and a Ted Lasso fan. Her passion is helping humans peel away the labels and expectations that others put on them, and get connected to their unique, multifaceted identities.
Sarah's Website: sarahgilbertcoaching.com
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