The unexpected twist of burnout journey

Yesterday marked a significant milestone – I presented a workshop on Burnout Prevention to the APS WA College of Counselling Psychologists. A year ago, I wouldn't have believed this possible. As an Educational and Developmental Psychologist, I had internalised a belief that I was somehow a "second-class" psychologist. The thought of presenting to other therapists felt overwhelming, trapped in the familiar refrain of "I'm not good enough yet."

Yes, there are areas where I'm still growing (my English will always carry its non-native accent). AND – this is the crucial part – I've learned that growth only happens when we step beyond our comfort zone. That belief of "not being good enough" kept me safe, but it also kept me small.

The Unexpected Twist of Burnout
You might wonder what changed. Ironically, it was a series of burnout episodes that led me to deeper soul-searching, uncovering the underlying schemas that had shaped my professional identity. Through this exploration, I discovered how my history contributed to perfectionistic and self-sacrificing patterns that fueled my overworking habit.

This wasn't just about work – it infiltrated every aspect of my life. My worth was entangled with:

• Professional achievements

• Constant productivity

• Even my children's academic performance

• My silence in professional forums, hoping to remain invisible

The Body's Wisdom
While it sounds cliché, burnout truly was my body's wisdom speaking up after years of ignored whispers. Through learning to tune into and nourish myself, I discovered something remarkable: when we create space for self-trust, we actually have more energy and time for what truly matters.

The transformation came when I realized:

• I was no longer doing things to please others

• Self-sacrifice wasn't a prerequisite for contribution

• Perfection wasn't the price of admission

• My authentic voice was enough

Reframing Burnout
Perhaps we need to reframe burnout: It's what happens when we carry too much on our shoulders until our physical and emotional resources run dry, leaving us feeling isolated and overwhelmed with responsibility.

Surface-level self-care isn't enough when our nervous system remains in constant tension and hyper- vigilance. True healing requires:

• Addressing root causes

• Understanding our patterns

• Redesigning our relationship with work and self

• Creating sustainable practices

When I stopped trying to be the "perfect therapist," I became a more present one. Our therapeutic conversations became more authentic. The therapeutic relationship strengthened not despite my limitations, but because of my willingness to acknowledge them.

Being a good therapist isn't about having unlimited emotional capacity or perfect interventions. It's about trusting that our own healing journey enhances our clinical work, honouring our limits and boundaries. Mostly importantly, self-care isn't selfish - it's essential for sustainable practice.

Here Are My Practical Wisdom for Fellow Therapists

1. Listen to your body's signals

• Notice early warning signs

• Honor your energy limits

• Create space for genuine rest

2. Challenge your professional identity myths & heal your wounds

• Question inherited beliefs about worth

• Celebrate your unique perspective

• Allow yourself to be both growing and enough

3. Build sustainable practices

• Design boundaries that protect your energy

• Create rituals for energy renewal

• Connect with supportive colleagues

4. Transform shame through connection in your tribe

• Share your struggles with trusted others

• Recognize common humanity in our challenges

• Use your healing journey to support others

As Brené Brown wisely notes, "If you put shame in a petri dish, it needs three ingredients to grow exponentially: secrecy, silence, and judgment. If you put the same amount of shame in the petri dish and douse it with empathy, it can't survive."

Your Invitation
If my story resonates with you, know that you're not alone. Your burnout isn't a sign of weakness or failure. It's a call to return home to yourself. We can break the cycle of burnout – not through perfect self-care routines, but through cultivating deep self-trust and community support. It's time to set aside the shame and stigma of burnout and embrace a more sustainable, authentic way of being in our profession.

Let's start this conversation. How has burnout shaped your journey? What wisdom has your body been trying to share?