Why is being a psychologist so emotional draining? what skills help it not be so draining?

Question

i know it has a high burn out rate but why..how can you prevent this

Answer 1

I'm a psychologist, retired due to burn-out.  I did one on one counseling with homosexuals, worked the 'flying squad' with the police and fire departments and went on bridges and tall buildings to talk 'jumpers' down, and was the only psychologist who counseled the priests, mostly g*y themselves, who worked the AIDS wards.  I have saved well over 100 lives and lost only one (he had terminal cancer with only a few weeks to live, had no family or friends and truly wanted to end it).  If you can give yourself 'distance' from your clients ... hear their problems and give them good advice but don't 'buy in' to the problems or put yourself on the line for them to get better, the job is not as draining.  I was once told that I cared more about AIDS and the problems of being g*y than any g*y man had (I'm a female) and I was very flattered, because I did care ... I'd lost a best friend to AIDS and was angry and wanted to do something about it, even though I couldn't work on an AIDS ward because I knew that I would become real friends with the patients and would be lost when they died.  Just keep your distance, and you should be fine ... but know that you can't do as much good if you keep your distance, and decide when and if you want to drop the distance and put yourself at risk more than the client is.  

Answer 2

Actually you sorta kinda get used to it over time.

I would suggest to just go with the flow and work with it. In time you will get into a rhythm and it will be somewhat bearable.

Answer 3

Being a Psychology major myself, I find myself burnt out with just my own life!!! I think burn out is common, however you can prevent this by drawing a boundary within yourself about how emotionally involved you are going to get with a client. Take lots of vacation, and remember... you are there to help, not be a miracle worker like dr phil portrays to be lol

Answer 4

Its hard because many people take home the problems of their clients.  ALso, you are not allowed to discuss with others what goes on in session because it is confidential. So you have no where to put these feelings.  

So to help with this they say that you should be in supervision and in your own therapy.  Then you have places to vent and don't get fried and burnt.  

Hope this answers you question.  At least that is how it is for me.

Answer 5

the key is to remember to take care of yourself... it's like for lifeguards, you can't benefit anyone else if you "drown" yourself... so establish and maintain a healthy and stable life for yourself... develop hobbies, regular 'extra-curricular' activities, establish and maintain a supportive and positive support system (friends, family, etc.)... it might be a good idea to a (some) circle(s) that do not include others in your profession, as it does lend to taking it home with you.  establish boundaries... not only with your consumers, but also with your job and workplace itself (don't give in to the work-o-holic lifestyle)... take your lunch break (even if you don't eat) OUTSIDE the office... and take time off... even when not "needed"... keep the mindset of fire prevention rather than putting our fires as they pop up in your life...