30/09/2026
As we move towards the end of the year, how many counsellors, psychologists and allied health professionals are supporting others while quietly feeling depleted themselves?
Still showing up. Still listening. Still caring.
But feeling flat, tired, irritable or less emotionally available once the working day ends.
Burnout and compassion fatigue deserve open conversation within our professions. They can occur at any time, and year-end deadlines, personal commitments and the pressure to “just get through” can leave little room for recovery.
Burnout is associated with chronic workplace stress. Compassion fatigue describes the emotional toll of repeatedly supporting people through suffering. They can overlap, and neither means you have failed as a clinician.
What can help when your energy and emotional capacity are running low?
🌿 Acknowledge how you feel without judging it. You do not need to force positivity. Try asking, “What is this feeling telling me about what I need?”
🌿 Use supervision for your own wellbeing, too. Make space to discuss emotional load, capacity and boundaries alongside clinical decisions.
🌿 Review what you are carrying. Consider caseload complexity, back-to-back appointments, unpaid administration and after-hours availability. Identify what can be reduced, shared or renegotiated.
🌿 Protect small opportunities to recover. Eat lunch away from your desk, take a short walk, pause between sessions and create a clear finish to your working day.
🌿 Make room for life outside your professional role. Connection, enjoyable movement, hobbies and quiet time deserve space without becoming another performance target.
🌿 Seek support early. Persistent exhaustion or low mood deserves attention. Your own therapist or GP can help you understand what is happening.
Workplaces also have a responsibility to provide manageable workloads, protected breaks and accessible clinical support. Individual self-care cannot compensate for ongoing excessive demands.
You are allowed to care deeply about your clients and acknowledge that your capacity has limits.
What would make your working week more sustainable as the year draws to a close?
