[junkDNA]

This article is about a medical doctor. But it reminded me of my therapist

World renowned doctor in New Zealand to speak about burnout | Stuff.co.nz

Awesome article. Thanks for sharing!

My first therapist experienced burnout. Or maybe she was just terrible. Or both? But either way, I kept asking her to read my psychological evaluations and she never did. She obviously couldn't give a s***.

She frequently inhaled and exhaled very slowly, and it was audible. The kind of inhaling and exhaling you do when you're frustrated or stressed (and in her case, possible burnout).

I know she eventually cut down her workdays from Tues-Sat to Thurs-Sat. But she was kind of terrible anyways. It pissed me off that I kept coming to appts with her and she just couldn't care less. She was in her mid 50s.

[junkDNA]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

Awesome article. Thanks for sharing!

My first therapist experienced burnout. Or maybe she was just terrible. Or both? But either way, I kept asking her to read my psychological evaluations and she never did. She obviously couldn't give a s***.

She frequently inhaled and exhaled very slowly, and it was audible. The kind of inhaling and exhaling you do when you're frustrated or stressed (and in her case, possible burnout).

I know she eventually cut down her workdays from Tues-Sat to Thurs-Sat. But she was kind of terrible anyways. It pissed me off that I kept coming to appts with her and she just couldn't care less. She was in her mid 50s.

i think burnout is inevitable especially for special personality types, like workaholics

ive observed my T being a workaholic in the past, especially at the treatment facility. he would be there on most holidays.

he told me once, recently, that he thought it would be easier to be there on holidays

he burned out after 4 years there. he left and opened his own private practice, and now 3 years later it's the same scenario

i feel guilty for being so difficult. i emphasize with my T on a human being level. ive known him for over 6 years now... and have seen him frequently during all of that.

i dont know everything, but i know a lot about his personal life. i hope he takes care of himself... i struggle with continuing seeing him during this phase though

[Yellowbuggy]

Originally Posted by junkDNA

i feel guilty for being so difficult.

I don't get the sense that you're difficult. Your needs are real and you consistently communicate your appreciation for your T's need to protect himself while being there for you as well. This is what I meant earlier when I referred to the 'wise mind' I hear in your posts.

It doesn't mean you aren't allowed to be childish and hurt and needy and angry. We all have the right to experience these emotions (and we SHOULD!). But at the end of the day I see a real attempt on your part to see the big picture. I admire that. This is especially incredible considering the horrible abuse you went through at the hands of a T.

I worry I may be too hard on people seeking help in this thread. I can assure you it comes from a good place. I have been both the 'needy' and the 'needed.' I have cared deeply for people whom I couldn't save from themselves, and I burned out. Interestingly, the fact that I burned out did not take away from the love I felt for them. This may be an important lesson for many of us on this thread.

I am also a healthcare worker, so I care for people for a living. It's been an interesting experience being on both sides of the proverbial fence.

Totally agree with you about workaholic types. My father was a workaholic; he used his work, in part, as avoidance.

I also see this a lot outside of medical or psych people-whether it be people deriving self-esteem from their job, avoiding relationships, care taking personalities, etc. I work with people who have those behaviors too.

The good thing here JD is that your therapist is aware of his vulnerabilities and shortcomings. I'm really sorry you are left feeling guilty. That's not good. But I also think you and your therapist have a solid relationship, and usually good relationships can withstand a lot!

One thing my therapist does, and this is just my observation and interpretation, he seems to maintain emotional distance (or maybe it is just with certain clients). That has its downside too, as it can come off negatively to me at times. The grass isn't always greener. That's my conclusion. Balance is tough...but important.

[CantExplain]

I've been saved from burnout by periodic bouts of unemployment.